The song "Try a Little Tenderness" was written by Harry M. Woods for the music and by Jimmy Campbell and Reg Connelly for the lyrics.
Early versions
The song was first recorded on December 8, 1932, by the Ray Noble Orchestra. Val Rosing provided the vocals. Another version was recorded in 1932 by Charlie Palloy and his Orchestra. In 1933, Ted Lewis (Columbia 2748 D) and Ruth Etting (Melotone 12625) made the song popular. Bing Crosby recorded it on January 9, 1933, for Brunswick Records. A version by Bob and Alf Pearson was also released in 1933. The song was included on Frank Sinatra's first album, The Voice of Frank Sinatra, in 1946 and on the 1960 album Nice 'n' Easy.
Otis Redding version
In 1966, soul singer Otis Redding recorded a new version of the song. He was supported by the band Booker T. & the M.G.'s, and Stax Records producer Isaac Hayes helped arrange the music. Redding's recording begins with a slow, emotional introduction that grows into a fast-paced R&B ending. It includes parts from the song "Just Squeeze Me (But Please Don't Tease Me)" by Duke Ellington and Lee Gaines, as well as the phrase "sock it to me." In early 1967, the song reached number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It has been listed on several "best songs of all time" lists, including those from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. As of the 2021 update, it is ranked 136th on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 greatest songs of all time. A live version of the song performed at the Monterey International Pop Festival in 1967 was also recorded.
In the 1991 Irish film The Commitments, the band performs the song in the style of Otis Redding. This version reached number 13 on the Irish music chart. In the 2001 animated film Shrek, actor Eddie Murphy's character, Donkey, sings a line of the song in Redding's style. In 2015, the song was added to the Grammy Hall of Fame. It was also included in the soundtrack for the 2006 film My Blueberry Nights.
Three Dog Night version
Rock band Three Dog Night released a version of the song. It reached number 29 on the US Billboard Top 100 in 1969 and number 19 in Canada. The song uses a similar style to Redding's version, including the coda that was added in Redding's recording.
Dr. Strangelove
An instrumental version of the song plays during the opening credits of the 1964 film Dr. Strangelove, which shows real footage of refueling a U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber while it is flying. In the stage version of the story, the same song is used as the opening of the performance.