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“Try a Little Tenderness” was first recorded in 1932 and given the orchestral treatment of the day. Bing Crosby did a version.

In 1966, Otis Redding recorded a soul version of the song, notable for a slow beginning that built to a frenzied conclusion.

Then came the 1991 film “The Commitments,” the story of a group of Dubliners who form an R&B group. They deliver amazing renditions of such classics as “Mustang Sally,” “In the Midnight Hour,” “Chain of Fools,” and, of course, “Try a Little Tenderness.” “The Commitments” gave us a terrific soundtrack.

And, believe it or not, when lead singer Andrew Strong belted out those stunning vocals, he was a tender 16 years old.

Try a Little Tenderness

By The Commitments, 1991
Written by Jimmy Campbell, Reg Connelly, and Harry M. Woods

Oh, she may be weary.
Young girls they do get weary,
Wearing that same old shaggy dress.
But when she gets weary,
Try a little tenderness

You know she’s waiting,
Just anticipating
For things that she’ll never, never, never, never possess.
But while she’s there waiting without them,
Try a little tenderness (that’s all you gotta do, this is for you).

It’s not just sentimental, no, no, no.
She has her grief and care.
But the soft words they are spoke so gentle,
It makes it easier, easier to bear.

You won’t regret it, no, no.
Young girls they never forget it.
Love is their only happiness.
But it’s all so easy.
All you gotta do is try a little tenderness.

Oh, she may be weary.
Young girls they do get weary,
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
For things that she’ll never, never, never, never possess, yeah.
But while she’s there waiting without them,
Try a little tenderness (that’s all you gotta do).

It’s not just sentimental, no, no, no.
She has her grief and care.
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.
Some girls they don’t forget it.
Love is their only happiness, yeah.
But it’s all so easy.
All you gotta do is try, try a little tenderness.

Squeeze her, don’t tease her, never leave her.
You’ve got, you’ve got, you’ve got
Just try a little tenderness, oh yeah, yeah, yeah.

Squeeze her, don’t tease her, never leave her.
You’ve got, you’ve got, you’ve got
Just try a little tenderness, oh yeah, yeah, yeah.

Squeeze her, don’t tease her, never leave her.
You’ve got, you’ve got, you’ve got
Just try a little tenderness, oh yeah, yeah, yeah.

Squeeze her, don’t tease her, never leave her.
You’ve got, you’ve got, you’ve got
Just try a little tenderness, oh yeah, yeah, yeah.

Squeeze her, don’t tease her, never leave her.
You’ve got, you’ve got, you’ve got
Just try a little tenderness, oh yeah, yeah, yeah.

Squeeze her, don’t tease her, never leave her.
You’ve got, you’ve got, you’ve got
Just try a little tenderness, oh yeah, yeah, yeah.