I've_Been_Loving_You_Too_Long
I've Been Loving You Too Long
1965 single by Otis Redding
"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]
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]