I've Been Loving You Too Long should not be confused with I've Been Loving You.
| I've Been Loving You Too Long | |
| Cover: | Otis-redding-ive-been-loving-you-too-long.jpg |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | Otis Redding |
| Album: | Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul |
| B-Side: | I'm Depending on You |
| Recorded: | April 1965 |
| Genre: | Soul |
| Label: | Volt (V-126) |
| Producer: | Steve Cropper |
| Prev Title: | Mr. Pitiful |
| Prev Year: | 1965 |
| Next Title: | Respect |
| Next Year: | 1965 |
"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.[1] 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.[2]
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, (1965).[1] The song reached number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 2 on the Billboard Rhythm & Blues chart. Billboard described it as a "winning tender and soulful piece of material and performance by 'Mr. Pitiful' himself."[3] Cash Box described it as "a tender, slow-moving heartfelt lament about a fella whose love for his gal is growing cold."[4]
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.[5] In Australia, Johnny Diesel charted with a cover version in 1993. The song was added to the United States National Recording Registry in 2003.[5] In 2011, the 1965 recording by Redding on Volt Records was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.[6]
Songs by Redding appeared in the U.S. Billboard pop and R&B charts as early as 1962, but "I've Been Loving You Too Long" became his biggest hit upon its release.[7]
Although the tempo is exactly the same, two versions of the song have been recorded in 1965; one lasts 2'50 and the second one is 3'10 long (in the original LP version), i.e., with an extra verse. Booker T. Jones plays piano on one version while Isaac Hayes is on the other.[8]
| I've Been Loving You Too Long | |
| Cover: | Ike-tina-ive-been-loving-you-too-long.jpg |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | Ike & Tina Turner |
| Album: | Outta Season |
| B-Side: | Grumbling |
| Released: | April 1969 |
| Genre: | Soul, R&B |
| Length: | 3:40 |
| Label: | Blue Thumb |
| Producer: | Bob Krasnow, Tina Turner |
| Prev Title: | I'm Gonna Do All I Can (To Do Right by My Man) |
| Prev Year: | 1969 |
| Next Title: | I Wish It Would Rain |
| Next Year: | 1969 |
Ike & Tina Turner recorded the song for their 1969 album, Outta Season.[9] [10] Produced by Tina Turner and Bob Krasnow, the single peaked at number 23 on the Billboard R&B chart and number 68 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was reissued in 1971, reaching number 56 on the Cash Box R&B chart and number 44 on Record World
The Turners can be seen performing the song at Madison Square Garden in the Rolling Stones concert film Gimme Shelter (1970).[12] Their version differs from the original because they added an additional section with an explicit interaction. During their live performances they simulated oral sex. Tina caressed the microphone and moaned while Ike made suggestive slurping noises. Prior to Tina, a former member of the Kings of Rhythm named Jimmy Thomas would perform that song. In her autobiography I, Tina, she said:
Then when Jimmy left, I started singing the song, because it was a very good show song, and I started mimicking Jimmy, but putting my own female thing into it. I was really involved with that song in the beginning. Then I became bored with it, but Ike wouldn't let me stop. He started making those noises in the background, and it became really pornographic. Embarrassing. But the people loved it.[13]
| I've Been Loving You Too Long | |
| Cover: | I've_Been_Loving_You_Too_Long_by_Diesel.jpg |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | Johnny Diesel |
| Album: | The Lobbyist |
| B-Side: | Come to Me |
| Released: | 29 November 1993 [14] |
| Label: | EMI Records |
| Producer: | Diesel, Don Gehman |
| Prev Title: | Masterplan |
| Prev Year: | 1993 |
| Next Title: | Still Got a Long Way to Go |
| Next Year: | 1994 |
In 1992 Australian musician, Diesel recorded the song for his ARIA Chart number 1 album, The Lobbyist (1993). It was released as the third and final single and peaked at number 41 on the Australian ARIA Chart on 29 November 1993.[15]
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 21 | |
| US Billboard R&B | 2 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[17] | 1969 | 68 |
| US Billboard R&B<ref>June 14, 1969. Best Selling Rhythm & Blues Singles. Billboard. 42. | 23 | |
| US Cash Box Top 100[18] | 91 | |
| US Record World Top 100[19] | 94 | |
| US Bubbling Under Hot 100[20] | 1971 | 120 |
| US Cash Box R&B<ref name=":1" /> | 56 | |
| US Record World R&B<ref name=":3">September 4, 1971. The R&B Singles Chart. Record World. 10. | 44 |
| Australia (ARIA) | 41 |
