Try a Little Tenderness
Florence the Machine Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

In the hustle of the day, were all inclined to miss
Little things that mean so much
A word, a smile, and a kiss
When a woman loves a man, hes a hero in her eyes
And a hero he can always be if hell just realize

She may be weary, women do get weary
Wearing the same shabby dress

And when shes weary, try a little tenderness

She may be waiting, just anticipating
Things she may never possess
While shes without them, try a little tenderness

It's not just sentimental, she has her grief and her care
But a word thats soft and gentle makes it easier to bear

You wont regret it, women dont forget it

Love is their whole happiness
And it's all so easy, try a little tenderness

Overall Meaning

The song "Try a Little Tenderness" by Florence + the Machine is a cover of the classic soul song originally released by Otis Redding in 1966. The song encourages men to show love and compassion to the women they love, especially during times when they may be feeling worn down or overlooked.

The lyrics highlight the importance of paying attention to the small things that can make a big difference in a relationship, such as a kind word, a smile, or a gentle touch. The song acknowledges that women often carry emotional burdens and may feel discouraged or disillusioned, but reminds men that showing tenderness and empathy can help to ease those burdens and make love stronger.

At its core, "Try a Little Tenderness" is a message of love and hope, encouraging people to be kind to one another and to remember the simple gestures that can make a relationship thrive.

Line by Line Meaning

In the hustle of the day, were all inclined to miss
We're often too busy to appreciate the small things in life

Little things that mean so much
The tiny gestures of love can have a huge impact

A word, a smile, and a kiss
Simple acts of kindness and love can go a long way

When a woman loves a man, hes a hero in her eyes
Women see the best in men they love and admire them greatly

And a hero he can always be if hell just realize
A man can live up to his potential and be the hero his partner sees him as if he tries

She may be weary, women do get weary
Women can become tired and worn down by life's challenges

Wearing the same shabby dress
She may feel like she's stuck in a rut and lacking in confidence

And when shes weary, try a little tenderness
Displaying affection and understanding can go a long way towards making her feel better

She may be waiting, just anticipating
She may have hopes and dreams that she is eager to fulfill

Things she may never possess
But there may be obstacles in her way to achieving these goals

While shes without them, try a little tenderness
It's important to show love and support even when things aren't going as planned

It's not just sentimental, she has her grief and her care
It's not just about being overly emotional, she also has her own personal struggles and worries

But a word thats soft and gentle makes it easier to bear
Kind words and gestures can alleviate some of her pain and difficulty

You wont regret it, women dont forget it
Showing love and care will be appreciated and remembered by women

Love is their whole happiness
Love is central to women's happiness in life

And it's all so easy, try a little tenderness
Showing love and affection doesn't have to be difficult and can go a long way in making a woman feel valued and loved

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Jimmy Campbell, Reg Connelly, Harry M. Woods

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS