Did You Know That?

You probably know the classic soul track “Try a Little Tenderness,” by Otis Redding. It’s a terrific song that builds from an understated beginning (“She may be weary…”) to an over-the-top enthusiastic barking climax (“You’ve got to try a little tenderness!”).

But, did you know that “Try a Little Tenderness” is not an original Otis Redding song? It wasn’t even written for him. In fact, it was first recorded more than thirty years before Otis released his version in 1966. By whom, you ask? None other than Bing Crosby, the voice of Christmas himself.

Listening to Bing’s version is a bit of a shock. It’s a typical, schmaltzy 30s ballad—still a beautiful song, but remarkably different from Otis’s version. Listening to both really makes you appreciate Otis’s interpretive skills; he makes the song his own, to say the least.

If you’re curious as to how Otis came across the song, here’s your answer. He was not the first soul artist to cover the song. In fact, Aretha Franklin covered it in 1962, and Sam Cooke included it in his live sets starting in 1964, often as part of a medley with “(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons.” Cooke’s version was the only version that Otis knew, and he added his own distinctive twist, thus bringing the song a long distance from its original, Bing Crosby form.

Well, now you know!

Fortunately, we listeners can enjoy the song in all of its forms. Here is the Bing Crosby original, Sam Cooke’s live medley that features it, and, finally, Otis Redding’s classic take. Enjoy.

Bing Crosby – Try a Little Tenderness (YSI) (filesavr)
Sam Cooke – Medley – Try a Little Tenderness (I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons (YSI) (filesavr)
Otis Redding – Try a Little Tenderness (YSI) (filesavr)