Try a Little Tenderness

By Jimmy Campbell, Reg Connelly & Harry M. Woods

1932

A song that has truly spanned generations. Introduced as a sweet love ballad by the Ray Noble orchestra in 1932, it became best known to later audiences due to the blockbuster 1966 single from Otis Redding that literally reinvented the tune as an R&B number. This version would famously be used in the 1980s film Pretty in Pink, and was recently sampled by Kanye West and Jay-Z for their 2011 record, "Otis". Talk about a song transcending the ages!

Lyrics:

She may be weary,
Women do get weary,
Wearing that same shabby dress.
But when she's weary,
Try a little tenderness.

You know she's waiting,
Just anticipating,
Things that she'll never possess.
But while she's waiting,
Try just a little tenderness.

It might be sentimental,
But she has her greaves and cares,
And soft words spoken gently
Makes it easier to bear.

She won't regret it,
Women don't forget it.
Love is their whole happiness.
But it's all so easy,
Try a little tenderness.

Recorded By:

Bing Crosby
Ruth Etting
Michael Buble
Three Dog Night
Ella Fitzgerald