Redding wrote this with Jerry Butler ("For Your Precious Love," "Only the Strong Survive") in a Buffalo hotel room.
This was Redding's best selling single and biggest hit while he was alive. Redding died in a plane crash on December 10, 1967.
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Suggestion credit: Brad Wind - Miami, FL, for above 2
In 1969 a cover by Ike and Tina Turner peaked at #68 in the US, selling over 500,00 copies. Bob Krasnow, who bought the track to Ike Turner then produced their version, recalled in a 1971 Rolling Stone magazine article that Ike hated Otis Redding: "He just didn't think Otis had it."
The Rolling Stones covered this in 1966 and released it on their live album Got Live If You Want It!. This song, along with "Fortune Teller," were actually recorded in a studio with audience noises dubbed in.
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Suggestion credit: Bertrand - Paris, France
The famed multi-instrumentalist Booker T. Jones played piano on several of Otis' hits, including this one. Speaking to Mojo magazine October 2011, he recalled: "My experience having been a church player, and having had the classical experience, really helped there. The 'walk-ups' on those songs are classical type walk-ups, the way the chorus progresses to where the chromatics strike, that emotion. Those were integral to me as a person and to the song. Working on something like that, Otis and me became very good friends, you know, spending time on the road or in a studio together. 'I've Been Loving You Too Long' and 'Try A Little Tenderness.' Those were, I think, some of our best moments together."
Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn April 20th 1969, Ike and Tina Turner's covered version of "I've Been Loving You Too Long" entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #96; and a little over one month later on May 25th, 1969 it peaked at #68 {for 1 week} and spent 7 weeks on the Top 100... It reached #23 on Billboard's R&B Singles chart... Between 1960 and 1975 the duo had twenty-six hits on the R&B Singles chart; six made the Top 10 and with two reaching #2, "A Fool in Love" in 1960 and "It's Gonna Work Out Fine" in 1961... They just missed having a seventh Top 10 record when "Nutbush City Limits" peaked at #11 in 1973... Ike Turner passed away on December 12th, 2007 at the age of 76, may he R.I.P., and Ms. Turner, born Anna Mae Bullock, will celebrate her 76th birthday this coming November 26th {2015}.
Danny from Your Town, IaWhat woman wouldn't drop their britches to this one?
Mel from Riverbank, CaAhh, love the song but my favorite by Otis is "These Arms of Mine"
Jesse Meade from Eugene, OrThe best live version of this is from the Monterey Pop Festival. When he gets to the break in the middle he does it over and over, driving the audience crazy, before he drops back into the song. Amazing.
Duane from Wheatfield, InThe emotion he puts into this song is scary. I remember this song in a movie called "Heaven Help Us" (a hilarious comedy about 1960s Catholicism if you have a chance to get your hands on it) and it was used perfectly in a young love scene.
Bruce from Danville, VaIt's a shame this song is often overlooked. Most people think "Dock of the Bay" is the only recording by Otis Redding. If you read this, and you like Otis work, please explore his other recordings.....it is truely worth the effort!
Jim from Dayton, OhThis recorded performance is one of the most beautiful moments ever in music in my humble opinion.
