I've Been Loving You Too Long
1965 single by Otis Redding / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"I've Been Loving You Too Long" (originally "I've Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now)") is a soul music ballad written by Otis Redding and Jerry Butler.[2] Considered by music critics and writers to be one of Redding's finest performances and a soul classic, it is a slow, emotional piece with Redding's pleading vocals backed by producer Steve Cropper's arpeggiated guitar parts and a horn section.[3]
"I've Been Loving You Too Long" | ||||
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Single by Otis Redding | ||||
from the album Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul | ||||
B-side | "I'm Depending on You" | |||
Released | April 19, 1965 (1965-04-19) | |||
Recorded | April 1965[lower-alpha 1] | |||
Genre | Soul | |||
Length | 2:49 | |||
Label | Volt (V-126) | |||
Songwriter(s) | Otis Redding, Jerry Butler | |||
Producer(s) | Steve Cropper | |||
Otis Redding singles chronology | ||||
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Redding recorded the song in 1965 and when released as a single in April 1965, became his second best selling single. The song was subsequently included on his third album, Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul (1965).[2] The song reached number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 2 on the Billboard Rhythm & Blues chart.[4] Billboard described it as a "winning tender and soulful piece of material and performance by 'Mr. Pitiful' himself."[5] Cash Box described it as "a tender, slow-moving heartfelt lament about a fella whose love for his gal is growing cold."[6]
Notable cover versions include performances by the Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Ike & Tina Turner, and a country music version by Barbara Mandrell—her first single.[7] In Australia, Johnny Diesel charted with a cover version in 1993.[8] The song was added to the United States National Recording Registry in 2003.[7] In 2011, the 1965 recording by Redding on Volt Records was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.[9]