Try a Little Tenderness
Discover the Power of Love: Otis Redding's Call to Try a Little Tenderness
Lyrics
Oh, she may be weary
Expressing that the woman may be tired or fatigued.
Them young girls they do get weary
Referring to the general weariness of young girls.
Wearing that same old shaggy dress, yeah-yeah
Describing a specific shabby dress the woman is wearing.
But when she gets weary
Reiterating the woman's fatigue and suggesting a remedy.
Try a little tenderness, yeah-yeah
Advising to show care and affection, specifically tenderness.
(Oh my, not)
A playful interjection expressing surprise or emphasis.
You know she's waiting
Acknowledging that she is waiting for something.
Just anticipating
Highlighting her anticipation for things she desires but may never have.
For things that she'll never, never, never, never possess, yeah-yeah
Emphasizing the impossibility of possessing certain things.
But while she's there waiting, and without them
While she waits, the suggestion is to show tenderness.
Try a little tenderness
Reiterating the advice to try a little tenderness.
(That's all you gotta do)
Reinforcing that tenderness is all that is needed.
It's not just sentimental, no, no, no
Rejecting the notion that the advice is purely sentimental.
She has her grief and care, yeah, yeah, yeah
Acknowledging her struggles and challenges.
But the soft words, they are spoke so gentle, yeah
Soft words spoken gently can ease her burden.
It makes it easier
Emphasizing that tenderness makes it easier for her to bear.
Easier to bear, yeah
Reiterating the positive impact of tenderness on her.
You won't regret it, no, no
Encouraging to try tenderness, assuring no regrets.
Some girls, they don't forget it
Noting that some girls remember and value love and happiness.
Love is their own happiness, yeah
Love contributes to their happiness.
But it's all so easy
Stating that showing tenderness is straightforward and uncomplicated.
All you gotta do is try, try a little tenderness, yeah
Repeating the advice to try a little tenderness.
All you gotta do is, man
Emphasizing the simplicity of the action required.
Hold her where you want her
Specifically advising physical affection like holding her.
Squeeze her, don't tease her
Providing guidance on how to physically express tenderness.
Never leave her, get to her, try, try
Listing actions to avoid, emphasizing the importance of tenderness.
Just try a little tenderness, yeah-yeah-yeah
Reiterating the call to try a little tenderness.
You got to rub her gentle, man
Advising to be gentle while physically interacting with her.
Don't got, don't bruise her, no, no
Warning against causing physical harm or discomfort.
You got to love her, tease her, don't squeeze her
Encouraging a balance of love and teasing, avoiding excessive force.
Got to try, now, now, now
Reiterating the need to try tenderness urgently.
Try, try a little tenderness, yeah
Reinforcing the importance of trying a little tenderness.
Watch her groove, you got to know what to do, man
Observing the positive effects of tenderness on her demeanor.
Take this advice
Concluding with the advice to take the given guidance.
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