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Otis Redding — Hard To Handle
Album: The Immortal Otis Redding
Avg rating:
8.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2643









Released: 1968
Length: 2:16
Plays (last 30 days): 1
Hey there, here I am
I'm the man on the scene
I can give you what you want
But you got to come home with me

I forgot some good old lovin'
And I got some more in store
When I get to thrown it on you
You got to come back for more

Toys and things that come by the dozen
That ain't nothin' but drug store lovin'
Hey little thing, let me light your candle
'Cause mama I'm sure hard to handle, now, yessir'am

Action speaks louder than words
And I'm a man of great experience
I know you got another man
But I can love you better than him

Take my hand, don't be afraid
I wanna prove every word I say
I'm advertisin' love for free
So, you can place your ad with me

Once it come along a dime by the dozen
That ain't nothin' but ten cent lovin'
Hey little thing, let me light your candle
'Cause mama I'm sure hard to handle, now, yessir'am

Baby, here I am
The man on your scene
I can give you what you want
But you got to come home with me

I forgot some good old lovin'
And I got some more in store
When I get to thrown it on you
You got to come runnin' back for more

Once it come along a dime by the dozen
That ain't nothin' but drug store lovin'
Hey little thing, let me light your candle
'Cause mama I'm sure hard to handle, now, yessir'am

==Credits==
Written by: [[Allen Jones]]/[[Alvertis Isbell]]/[[Otis Redding]]
Comments (220)add comment
 joejennings wrote:

One of his last recordings, before he passed away!   May he rest in peace!


Huh! I was wondering if it was an early recording: the sound quality isn't great and his style's not fully fleshed out here. 
 settiman wrote:

Someone gave this a 1.  I bet they are no fun at parties.


I  Agree!  Too funny!  
I'm not sure if anyone else noted the AGT cover of this song by 13 year old Courtney Hadwin - i absolutely love her Joe Cocker vibe and the energy she gave this one.  

Since I don't watch these AGT type shows normally, I was somewhat surprised to see Courtney more recently all made up (commercialized!) and well she's still a good performer.  

Long Live RP and great classic tunes covered by young artists!!
 settiman wrote:

Someone gave this a 1.  I bet they are no fun at parties.


What a barbarian they are for doing that
Someone gave this a 1.  I bet they are no fun at parties.
Otis sings this like he's begging. 
It is no wonder Aretha came to own it. She sings it like everyone else needs to be begging from her.
 Larrygrrl wrote:

In comparison with the Black Crows' cover this has so much more soul and patience and character.  I like the Crows' cover, but it's so rushed & frantic...like teenage sex.



That's close to what I was going to post.  But the Crowes were the ones to turn me onto Otis. They recorded it a half step up from Bb to B
One of his last recordings, before he passed away!   May he rest in peace!
 Larrygrrl wrote:

In comparison with the Black Crows' cover this has so much more soul and patience and character.  I like the Crows' cover, but it's so rushed & frantic...like teenage sex.



On the other hand (or transitioning to a different tangent), the Black Crowes' catalog includes numerous songs -- from several albums -- that ought to get a little love here from time to time.  Hard rockers, soulful ballads, etc.  (Maybe even toss in something from the Jimmy Page / Black Crowes concerts on occasion.)
GODLIKE!!!  ICONIC!!!
 bkrans9 wrote:

I am so ashamed I did not know this was an Otis Redding song!




Me too!
yes! 10
As Brian Jones said at the Montery Pop Festival, "Don't ever follow Otis Redding on stage!"
 rebeccabattey wrote:

Sorry folks, youngin' here. I had no idea Otis Redding originally did this song - it's fantastic! 



I'm an oldie, and I had no idea 
Sorry folks, youngin' here. I had no idea Otis Redding originally did this song - it's fantastic! 
great song but I like the black crows version better
Little embarrassed,  used to belt out the Black Crows version not knowing it was a cover.....
Otis was (is?) one of the ALL-TIME best.  Taken WAY too early, at age 26.  Still can't believe his voice was from someone in his 20s.

For those unfamiliar (especially you who thought the Black Crowes spawned this classic)... check out this treasure - https://www.allmusic.com/album...
Also his  live album from his 1966 Wiskey A Go Go show-  https://www.allmusic.com/album...

Seriously, so many gems that don't get regular air time.  All great. I get frustrated that he's mostly only remembered for "Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay".

BTW, I love the BC's and their version too. There's always room for more good music!
I am so ashamed I did not know this was an Otis Redding song!
Fabuloso!
First album I ever bought. Didn't know Otis was already dead when released. Not quite immortal.
 Larrygrrl wrote:
In comparison with the Black Crows' cover this has so much more soul and patience and character.  I like the Crows' cover, but it's so rushed & frantic...like teenage sex.
 
Ain't nothin' but drugstore lovin'
 Larrygrrl wrote:
In comparison with the Black Crows' cover this has so much more soul and patience and character.  I like the Crows' cover, but it's so rushed & frantic...like teenage sex.
I don't like the Crows' version for the reason you well described. In fact, I actually can't stand it. Heard it on the air countless times, never knew that's who did the song, but I change the station immediately when I hear it. This is the first time I've heard Otis' version, and reinforces why I like Otis. Another artist gone way too young.

 "Hey Otis!"
This is a 10...not sure why i have a 9 on it....fixed now...Long Live RP and RIP to The Big O!!
I always heard it as "Boys will come along, a dime by the dozen" 
 ai63 wrote:
love those horns
 
And how back in the day, you could crack a note and no one cared or did another take! They just plowed on through...
 ai63 wrote:
love those horns
 

That is what I like about the alternate Crowes version!
Can't believe no one has mentioned the awesome Tom Jones version of this song (and I'm not kidding). I think the Black Crows nicked their take on it from Tom more so than Otis--at least in tempo and style.
"hey little thing lemme light ya candle cause mama I sure wanna sandwich now lemme tell ya"


{#Crown}
Otis Redding. That is all. 
 skyguy wrote:
Just the best rhythm guitar there is.

 
THAT!  Yes  : )   (voice? EXCEPTIONAL! )
love those horns
Just the best rhythm guitar there is.
Dancing in my office chair...
Good grief! Last four tunes. . . x3 10s and one 9.

Amazing.

Thank you. 
 Larrygrrl wrote:
In comparison with the Black Crows' cover this has so much more soul and patience and character.  I like the Crows' cover, but it's so rushed & frantic...like teenage sex.

 
Spot on in all respects
 Whoa,  my two cents becomes ten.
GODLIKE!
i gave it a 9, keep 'em coming Bill and may i suggest "Tramp" by Otis Redding and Carla Thomas
In comparison with the Black Crows' cover this has so much more soul and patience and character.  I like the Crows' cover, but it's so rushed & frantic...like teenage sex.
Immortal indeed!    10
Wow, I've never heard this version before.  Excellent!
Every time I hear this I am surprised it isn't J. Giles.  It is in my head.
Great song! The Black Crowes' version was indeed probably their best song ever
 WonderLizard wrote:

Michael Bolton was schooled in Tuvan throat singing. Discuss. (Don't look now: it's pile on Michael Bolton week!)

  
Why not devote one day of every week to such a noble cause? Although I get the impression that he's toned his approach way down in the past few years...that, or he's been in a coma.  

Michael Bolton: "Look, it could have been worse. Remember Kenny G?"

"The Bolt" does have a point...Imagine the apocalyptic black hole that would have engulfed the Milky Way if those two had performed together. 
 
I can understand the lyrics on Otis's version.  I now understand the Black Crows butchered this song. 
Pure excellence! 
And a bit of misty-eyed nostalgia 
 JeffGuyett wrote:

Maybe Michael Bolton could...{#Eyes}

 
Michael Bolton was schooled in Tuvan throat singing. Discuss. (Don't look now: it's pile on Michael Bolton week!)
I much prefer this to the Counting Crows cover.  Or was that the Black Crows? Otis was one of a kind. Gimme me an original r & b to an alt rock cover any day. 
 JeffGuyett wrote:

Maybe Michael Bolton could...{#Eyes}
 
Echo that. {#Eek}
The Crowes did a crap job in retrospect.
 
OH, Thank you!
 unclehud wrote:

Commitments, Crowes, Otis, Mule ...... all do this well.  Maybe it's because the song is so good it's hard to screw it up.



 
Maybe Michael Bolton could...{#Eyes}

Commitments, Crowes, Otis, Mule ...... all do this well.  Maybe it's because the song is so good it's hard to screw it up.


I was thinking dare I say I prefer the Crowes and a quick glance says I'm not the only one.  Still give this version a 10 too but its not the same shade of 10.
 gypsyman wrote:

I still prefer The Black Crowes to Pigpen.....

 

B.S. IT WILL ALWAYS BE OTIS'S {#Yes}
What does ''Yes, a ram'' mean in this context?
Almost sounds like the Amen Break at the beginning. Pretty cool.

The Commitments cover is unforgettable, and it may be time to watch that film again....


 fredriley wrote:

Another great cover was on the soundtrack of the film The Commitments - real oomf and zip. The original is great as well, of course :)


 
Contextually, I prefer the Commitments' take on this, including the horns, but love the poignancy in Mr. Redding's delivery--as far as the Black Crowes, Government Mule, or the Dead: good fun, but almost too smooth, could be grittier by a notch or two. 
Groooovieeeee!!!
Love this song.
Love the Crowes version too
  
Otis + that horn section - no one has done it better.
{#Notworthy}
Jesus! (the expression... not the guy)..... I am so sad that it is only now that I found out the Black Crows didn't write this song.  Guess that brings the number of good songs that the Black Crows have actually done to..... say.... Zero! 

Just kidding, I have no idea what the Black Crows have to offer as I am not a fan, but full marks to Otis Redding!  I especially like the genuine brass!
 Proclivities wrote:

That, and Otis Redding had no connection to Motown - the city or the record label.  This is my favorite version, but to each his/her own, of course.
 

yup...he be right....it was all Stax records for Otis, and from, as we proud southeners call it, mehhfisss...(or maybe that's jus me..whatever)
 gypsyman wrote:

I still prefer The Black Crowes to Pigpen.....
 
PIG's rendition > Chris's.  Though, diggin' the horns in this version.

This is a song that doesn't need "over producing."

 
 When I hear the intro to this song I keep expecting Marly Marl to introduce "The Symphony"

If I had to pick, I'm going with Otis. Great voice. 

Why is it so hard to find the handle, Otis?

Stop sitting in the docks all day!


 Alafia wrote:
The Grateful Dead's Rod McKernan did this song better than anyone else ever did.
 
I still prefer The Black Crowes to Pigpen.....
Top Notch!
 buzmaggie wrote:


oh relax you swede dude. this is where music came from. motown boy. get the chip of your shoulder. i apologize for your actions. please excust this boys comment. its racial and offensive.  peace.
 

 casey1024 wrote:

Wow, way to misinterpret what someone else wrote.  I believe "swede dude" was referring to the BLACK CROWS, as most of the other folks on this forum were.  GEESH, who needs to relax? 

 
That, and Otis Redding had no connection to Motown - the city or the record label.  This is my favorite version, but to each his/her own, of course.


 First time I recall hearing Mr. Redding sing this song...Georgia Satellites never gave me a clue...

You are on a roll today baby!!

{#Dancingbanana}{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Drummer}{#Bananajam}{#Clap}
DIg It! {#Dancingbanana_2}
 buzmaggie wrote:


oh relax you swede dude. this is where music came from. motown boy. get the chip of your shoulder. i apologize for your actions. please excust this boys comment. its racial and offensive.  peace.
 
Wow, way to misinterpret what someone else wrote.  I believe "swede dude" was referring to the BLACK CROWS, as most of the other folks on this forum were.  GEESH, who needs to relax? 

Godlike!
The Grateful Dead's Rod McKernan did this song better than anyone else ever did.
 Poacher wrote:
I used to love playing this as a dj way back in the day. Loved it then - love it now. Timeless. 10
 
Yes Poacher if they weren't on the dance floor before they sure was when this was spun.  

I'm a big fan of the Gov't Mule cover of this song.  Of course, there is little way to argue about the brilliance of the original.
*grooving in her chair*
I used to love playing this as a dj way back in the day. Loved it then - love it now. Timeless. 10
 alanthecowboy wrote:

The Black Crowes' version is just a rip off of the Grateful Dead version, which rocked the song up a bit.  If you like their version better, credit the Dead, not the 'Crowes.

Me, I like this version, mostly because the Black Crowes ruined it for me, before I every knew they ripped it off.

 
  I have yet to ever hear a better version than PigPen's.  He OWNED that song.

 xenothaulus wrote:
I came on to complain about this "cover" only to see the artist name and realize it must be the original. Reading through the comments, I realize I'm in the extreme minority here, but this is awful. The Black Crowes version is superior in every way, sorry.
 
The Black Crowes' version is just a rip off of the Grateful Dead version, which rocked the song up a bit.  If you like their version better, credit the Dead, not the 'Crowes.

Me, I like this version, mostly because the Black Crowes ruined it for me, before I every knew they ripped it off.

p.s. - could they have found a WORSE picture for this album cover??  I mean, seriously?

So embarrassed to say I'd forgotten Otis did the "original" (there may have been some before him but this is the 1st I rem. from way back)....THE best version ever!!
 fredriley wrote:

Another great cover was on the soundtrack of the film The Commitments - real oomf and zip. The original is great as well, of course :)

 
Loved that movie!

thanks, for playing THIS version
Blows Black crows away!
 buzmaggie wrote:


oh relax you swede dude. this is where music came from. motown boy. get the chip of your shoulder. i apologize for your actions. please excust this boys comment. its racial and offensive.  peace.
 
I won't even bother,,backscroll,read and think before you jump to conclusions !  {#Nyah}

 krich58 wrote:
There's a bunch of good covers of this tune, sure. But to dis' the original is pretty shy of cool, IMHO. Otis. Man that guy had Soul!

For the best cover, check out Aug 6, '71, Hollywood Palladium:

https://deadlistening.blogspot.com/2008/07/1971-august-6-hollywood-palladium.html

I'm talkin' Rippin', one of the best Garcia solos eva. The entire band just Jumps on it, right from the first bar.
 
niiiice

listened to it at the archive...

https://www.archive.org/details/gd1971-08-06.fob-SonyECM22p.miller.88816.sbeok.flac16 

best version of this song i've heard yet!
 4merdj wrote:
Who sings the other well known version of this song? {#Ask} Thanks!
 
The Black Crowes-Hard to Handle

Who sings the other well known version of this song? {#Ask} Thanks!
 Byronape wrote:
Gov't Mule does a fantastic cover of this song.  Not as good as Otis's but still really good.
 
Another great cover was on the soundtrack of the film The Commitments - real oomf and zip. The original is great as well, of course :)

Ok, would like to preface by saying that Otis Redding is the preeminent soul singer of all times!!!{#Notworthy} Never really liked this one though.{#No}

Hard to Handle this being anything less than a 10!
Gov't Mule does a fantastic cover of this song.  Not as good as Otis's but still really good.
I wonder how many women he sang this song to!  :)
 buzmaggie wrote:


Just getting ready to comment that the black crowes does it best!
 

{#Roflol}{#Roflol}{#Roflol}

I've seen good concerts. I've seen bad concerts. I've seen mediocre concerts. The Black Crowes are the only band I've ever seen who where so half-ass and boring that I left after four songs.

 HazzeSwede wrote:
Ok,,this is IT ! {#Razz}     do not talk bout flying black shit or anything,,you hear !
 

oh relax you swede dude. this is where music came from. motown boy. get the chip of your shoulder. i apologize for your actions. please excust this boys comment. its racial and offensive.  peace.
 denmom wrote:


They have energy, but Otis has subtlety and authenticity.  I like the Crowes, but they're just poseurs when it comes to covering this.
 

Just getting ready to comment that the black crowes does it best!
Ok,,this is IT ! {#Razz}     do not talk bout flying black shit or anything,,you hear !


 Hairfarmer wrote:

Brian wasn't alone in this sentiment. That's why Otis allways closed the Stax review.

 
Yep, even Bill Graham said he was the greatest he'd seen. Here's an excerpt from his book:

Every artist in the City asked to open for Otis. The first night it was the Grateful Dead. Janis Joplin came at three in the afternoon the day of the first show to make sure she'd be in front of him. To this day, no musician ever got everybody out to see them the way he did. Every musician then into music came. He was THE MAN. THE REAL MAN. If you liked R&B or white rock and roll or black rock and roll or jazz, you came to see Otis.
,,,

On stage the man never stopped moving. He would do a number and at the end of the number, he would strut the stage. "Yeah, Whew! Hey! Oh! Yeah! Party! Oh! Yeah! Whew! One two ..." and right into the next number. Three, four songs into the set on the first night, I was standing on the side of the stage. I couldn't believe how great he was.

He started doing his strut, back and forth. "Yeah! Oh! Damn! Whew!" As he was doing this, there was this woman leaning against the front of the stage. A gorgeous young black lady in a low-cut dress. She started sighing like she just could not hold on. "O-tis, Oh! Ah! Ah! Oooh!" He saw her. He was going back and forth and he said, "Yeah!" He had the microphone in his hand and he saw her and she said, "Unnh!" He walked across the stage, leaned down, took the mike, and pulled a move that has never been equaled.

He leaned down and looked at her, and he was a big, good-looking guy, and she was going "Oh! Oh!" and he said right into her face, "I'm gonna s-s-sock it to you, baby. One, two...." And the whole place went "Hah!" all together.


This is one talent we lost way too early...


There's a bunch of good covers of this tune, sure. But to dis' the original is pretty shy of cool, IMHO. Otis. Man that guy had Soul!

For the best cover, check out Aug 6, '71, Hollywood Palladium:

https://deadlistening.blogspot.com/2008/07/1971-august-6-hollywood-palladium.html

I'm talkin' Rippin', one of the best Garcia solos eva. The entire band just Jumps on it, right from the first bar.

 xenothaulus wrote:
I came on to complain about this "cover" only to see the artist name and realize it must be the original. Reading through the comments, I realize I'm in the extreme minority here, but this is awful. The Black Crowes version is superior in every way, sorry.
 
You only think that because you heard the Crows version first.

 xenothaulus wrote:
I came on to complain about this "cover" only to see the artist name and realize it must be the original. Reading through the comments, I realize I'm in the extreme minority here, but this is awful. The Black Crowes version is superior in every way, sorry.
 

They have energy, but Otis has subtlety and authenticity.  I like the Crowes, but they're just poseurs when it comes to covering this.
And we're back on masters again though i gotta say for me i prefer the Black Crowes on this one.  Otis has soul but this song is funk.


 zipper wrote:

kids today. sad...

 

I'm not a kid, but I agree. I'm not a Crowes fan, but I think their remake is superior to the Redding version.
 xenothaulus wrote:
I came on to complain about this "cover" only to see the artist name and realize it must be the original. Reading through the comments, I realize I'm in the extreme minority here, but this is awful. The Black Crowes version is superior in every way, sorry.
 
kids today. sad...

I came on to complain about this "cover" only to see the artist name and realize it must be the original. Reading through the comments, I realize I'm in the extreme minority here, but this is awful. The Black Crowes version is superior in every way, sorry.
 ladron wrote:
Go Otis!

And check out the Stax museum the next time you are in Memphis. What - you aren't currently planning a trip to Memphis? Well, make some new plans.
 

There is a fantastic documentary on Stax records produced by PBS - very worthwhile. 
{#Devil_pimp}
OK, this is the first time I heard the original.  I like it better... WAAAAY better.  
 spaceman wrote:
Heh. If it weren't for RP, I'd never have known that this wasn't a Black Crowes original. The original version sure has a lot of soul! I still like the BC version better, but I guess that's because I heard it first.

 

{#Doh} Ouch!

WOLRDS better than that awful cover.
stand back for a true original.........on the dock, on the stage.....look out.....oooowwwwww
Go Otis!

And check out the Stax museum the next time you are in Memphis. What - you aren't currently planning a trip to Memphis? Well, make some new plans.