I've Been Loving You Too Long

"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, Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul.^[1] The song reached number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number two on the Billboard Rhythm & Blues chart.^[3]

Background and composition

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. w/ an extra verse. Booker T. Jones plays piano on one version while Isaac Hayes is on the other.

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.^[3]

Recording and personnel

• Otis Redding – vocals
• Booker T. Jones – keyboards, piano
• Isaac Hayes – keyboards, piano
• Steve Cropper – guitar
• Donald Dunn – bass
• Al Jackson Jr. – drums
• Wayne Jackson – trumpet
• Gene Miller – trumpet
• Andrew Love – tenor saxophone
• Floyd Newman – baritone saxophone

Johnny Diesel version

"I've Been Loving You Too Long"
Single by Johnny Diesel
from the album The Lobbyist
B-side	"Come to Me"
Released	29 November 1993[4]
Format	CD single
Label	EMI Records
Songwriter(s)	Otis Redding, Jerry Butler
Producer(s)	Diesel, Don Gehman
Johnny Diesel singles chronology
"Masterplan" (1993) "I've Been Loving You Too Long" (1993) "Still Got a Long Way to Go" (1994)
"Masterplan" (1993) "Please Send Me Someone to Love" (1993) "Still Got a Long Way to Go" (1994)

In 1992 Australian ARIA award-winning 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.^[5][6]

Track listing

1. "I've Been Loving You Too Long"
2. "Come to Me" (UK Remix)

Other versions

The first cover of the song was a recording by the Rolling Stones in 1965, shortly after Redding's original version became a hit. It was included on the Stones' first live album, Got Live If You Want It!, although the track was a studio recording that had been overdubbed with audience noises.^[7] Returning the compliment, Redding covered the Rolling Stones song "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction", written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.

James & Bobby Purify released a version of the song on their 1967 album, James & Bobby Purify.^[8]

Ike & Tina Turner released a version of the song in 1968.^[9] It was the lead track from their 1968 Blue Thumb album, Outta Season.^[10] The Turners can be seen performing the song at Madison Square Garden in the concert film of the Rolling Stones' Gimme Shelter. Their version peaked at number 23 on the US Billboard R&B chart and number 68 on the Billboard Hot 100.^[11]

References

External links

• Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics