Otis Redding, Try A Little Tenderness

In the 156^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2025), we recollect and reflect on “Try A Little Tenderness” by Otis Redding.

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez! Throwback Vibez is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 156^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2025), we recollect and reflect on “Try A Little Tenderness” performed by Otis Redding.

“Oh, she may be weary / And young girls, they get wearied / Wearing that same old shaggy dress, yeah, yeah.” Despite being short-lived, dying tragically at just 26 years old, Otis Redding (1941 – 1967) left a mark on popular music. The incredible soul musician charted many songs on the pop charts, including his unforgettable gem, “Try A Little Tenderness”.  “Try A Little Tenderness” was not an original but rather a cover. Even so, Otis Redding made this Frank Sinatra (1915 – 1998) classic, penned by James Campbell, Reginald Connelly, and Harry Woods, his own. Appearing on Complete & Unbelievable: The Otis Redding Dictionary of Soul, “Try A Little Tenderness” peaked at number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100. Notably, Redding was accompanied by the iconic band Booker T. & the M.G.’s, with Booker T. Jones (b. 1944) playing organ and Isaac Hayes (1942 – 2008) playing piano on the track.

“You know she’s waiting / Just anticipating / For things that she’ll never, never, never / Possess, yeah.” Word, Otis, word. “Try A Little Tenderness” features a marvelous, memorable instrumental introduction performed by the horns of Booker T. & the M.G.’s. Both piano (Hayes) and organ (Jones) are awesome musical touches in this soul classic.  Redding’s fire is sufficiently fueled!  Soon enough, the once-in-a-lifetime, incredibly soulful vocals by Otis Redding enter the mix in the first verse, excerpted earlier.  His performance is dynamic, expressive, and nuanced.  He eats and leaves no crumbs, particularly during the outro where he fiercely ad-libs: “Squeeze her, don’t tease her, never leave her / Get to her, try, try / Just try a little tenderness, ooh yeah, yeah, yeah.” The outro, in particular, is where Redding takes ownership of this song forever. “Gotta try nah, nah, nah, try / Try a little tenderness, yeah, watch her groove.” Indeed! “Try A Little Tenderness” is the cat’s meow, the sugar, honey, iced tea, no cap!