About the song
** “(I’ve Been) Loving You Too Long”** is a soul ballad written and recorded by American singer-songwriter Otis Redding. It was released in April 1965 as the second single from his album, Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul. The song peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart and number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
“(I’ve Been) Loving You Too Long” is considered one of Redding’s signature songs and has been covered by numerous artists, including Aretha Franklin, The Rolling Stones, and Etta James. The song is a slow, soulful ballad that showcases Redding’s powerful vocals. The lyrics tell the story of a man who has been in love with a woman for a long time, but she has never reciprocated his feelings. The song is full of emotion and heartbreak, and Redding’s vocals perfectly capture the pain and longing of the lyrics.
The song’s opening guitar riff is instantly recognizable, and it sets the tone for the rest of the song. The tempo is slow and deliberate, and the instrumentation is sparse, allowing Redding’s vocals to take center stage. The lyrics are simple but effective, and they tell a story that is both relatable and heartbreaking.
“(I’ve Been) Loving You Too Long” is a classic soul ballad that has stood the test of time. It is a song that is full of emotion, heartbreak, and soul. Redding’s vocals are simply stunning, and they make this song a must-listen for any fan of soul music.
Some interesting facts about the song:
- The song was originally written by Redding and Jerry Butler, but Redding re-wrote the lyrics before recording it.
- The song was recorded at Stax Records in Memphis, Tennessee.
- The song’s producer, Jim Stewart, was originally going to have another singer record the song, but he changed his mind after hearing Redding sing it.
- The song was released as a single in April 1965 and reached number two on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart and number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
- The song has been covered by numerous artists, including Aretha Franklin, The Rolling Stones, and Etta James.
- The song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998.
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