[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJMFurJxxF8&w=700] You might know it from The Commitments but...it was first recorded in 1932 by the Ray Noble Orchestra (with vocals by Val Rosing) followed by both Ruth Etting and Bing Crosby in 1933. Then you get into covers by Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, Jimmy Durante, Frank Sinatra, Mel Tormé, Rod Stewart, Frankie Laine, Percy Sledge, Earl Grant, Al Jarreau, Nina Simone, Etta James, Tina Turner, you name it - even Michael Bolton had a crack.

And here's my favourite version (today), Otis on the Stax tour. In the album version he is (I think) backed by Booker T and the M.Gs, with an arrangement by Isaac Hayes, not sure if Booker's boys are in on this tour too, but it has STRONG energy:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dael4sb42nI&w=700]

Oh, she may be weary Young girls they do get weary Wearing that same old shabby 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 shabby 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