Try A Little Tenderness
Jimi Hendrix and Otis Redding Lyrics
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Them young girls they do get wearied
Wearing that same old shaggy dress, yeah, yeah
But when she gets weary
Try a little tenderness, yeah, yeah
You know she's waiting
Just anticipating
But while she's there waiting
Without them try a little tenderness
That's all you got to do
It's not just sentimental no, no, no
She has her grief and care, yeah, yeah, yeah
But the soft words they are spoke so gentle, yeah
It makes it easier, easier to bear, yeah
You won't regret it no, no
Young girls they don't forget it
Love is their whole happiness, yeah, yeah, yeah
But it's all so easy
All you got to do is try
Try a little tenderness
Yeah
All you got to do is, man, hold her when you wanna
Squeeze her, don't tease her, never leave her
Get to her, got, got, got to try a little tenderness, yeah, yeah
You got to know how to love her, man
Don't be surprised, man
You got to squeeze her, don't tease her, never leave
You got to hold her, brother, something, man
Try a little tenderness, yeah, yeah, yeah
You got to grab her gently, man
Don't bruise her, no, no
You got to love her, tease her, don't squeeze her
You got to try, na na na na na
Try, try a little tenderness, yeah
Watch her groove
You got to know what to do, man
Take this advice
You gotta love, squeeze, don't tease
The song “Try A Little Tenderness” by Otis Redding and Jimi Hendrix is a classic soulful tune that urges the listener to take care of their loved ones with patience and kindness. The lyrics are talking about a woman who may be feeling worn out and weary from life's challenges, but the way to care for her is to show some tenderness. The first stanza sets the tone of the song, with the singer acknowledging the fatigue that can come from dealing with life's challenges. The second stanza is where the song gets more personal, with the singer addressing a specific woman who is waiting for something she may never get. The singer suggests that while she waits, showing her some tenderness and care can make her feel better.
The final stanza of the song gives the listener a clear message of what they need to do to show love: hold her, squeeze her, but never tease her or leave her. The lyrics suggest that simple acts of loving kindness like these have a significant impact on a relationship; they're not just sentimental but can make it easier to handle the difficulties that come with life. The song ends with a call to action, urging anyone listening to try a little tenderness.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh she may be weary
She might be tired
Them young girls they do get wearied
Young women can get tired too
Wearing that same old shaggy dress, yeah, yeah
Dressed in her old worn-out clothes
But when she gets weary
When she gets tired
Try a little tenderness, yeah, yeah
Show her some kindness
You know she's waiting
You know she's waiting for you
Just anticipating
Anticipating what you'll do
The thing that you'll never, never, never, never possess, yeah, yeah
The thing you will never have
But while she's there waiting
But while she waits
Without them try a little tenderness
Show her some kindness
It's not just sentimental no, no, no
It's more than just feelings
She has her grief and care, yeah, yeah, yeah
She has her own struggles, too
But the soft words they are spoke so gentle, yeah
Speaking softly and kindly helps
It makes it easier, easier to bear, yeah
It makes life easier for her
You won't regret it no, no
You won't regret treating her kindly
Young girls they don't forget it
Young women remember how you treat them
Love is their whole happiness, yeah, yeah, yeah
Love is what makes them happy
But it's all so easy
It's easy to do
All you got to do is try
Just show some effort
Try a little tenderness
Show her some kindness
Yeah
All you got to do is, man, hold her when you wanna
Just hold her when you feel like it
Squeeze her, don't tease her, never leave her
Don't play games or leave her
Get to her, got, got, got to try a little tenderness, yeah, yeah
Just try to show her some kindness
You got to know how to love her, man
You need to know how to love her
Don't be surprised, man
Don't be surprised when she responds positively
You got to squeeze her, don't tease her, never leave
Be gentle with her and don't leave her
You got to hold her, brother, something, man
You need to hold her close
Try a little tenderness, yeah, yeah, yeah
Show some kindness and love
You got to grab her gently, man
Be gentle when holding her
Don't bruise her, no, no
Don't hurt her
You got to love her, tease her, don't squeeze her
Show love and kindness
You got to try, na na na na na
You need to try
Try, try a little tenderness, yeah
Show some kindness and love
Watch her groove
Watch her dance
You got to know what to do, man
You need to know how to treat her right
Take this advice
Take this advice seriously
You gotta love, squeeze, don't tease
Show love with kindness and gentleness
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Jimmy Campbell, Reg Connelly, Harry M. Woods
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind