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Otis Redding — I've Been Loving You Too Long
Album: I've Been Loving You Too Long
Avg rating:
8.7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1510









Released: 1965
Length: 2:46
Plays (last 30 days): 0
I've been loving you too long to stop now

You are tired and you want to be free
My love is growing stronger, as you become a habit to me
Ohh, I've been loving you too long
I don't wanna stop now

With you my life has been so wonderful
I can't stop now
You are tired and your love is growing cold
My love is growing stronger as our affair, affair grows old
I've been loving you oh, too long
I don't want to stop now, ohh, ohh, ohh

I've been loving you a little too long
I don't wanna stop now, ohh, ohh, ohh
And don't make me stop now
Oh baby
I'm down on my knees
Please, don't make me stop now

I love you, I love you, I love you with all my heart
And I can't stop now
Please, please, please don't make me stop now
Talkin' 'bout heart and soul
That I love you
I love you
Comments (154)add comment
Sensational..
 sailorgirl wrote:

Can a man actually feel that deeply?  I love men, for sure, but to hear Otis's pain and love - can it be true?



i believe so. i've not run across one lately who talks about it, though.
All due respect to Steve, Duck, Booker T and company, it's the Memphis horn section that makes this tune stunning and righteously heavenly.   
It is so nice to hear otis reddings other stiuff
This song makes me so happy for Norma and Big Ed.
What a thing to see this almost hitting a 9 rating.

Well done RP peeps.
excellent energy !
 ploba wrote:
I notice that no one has rated this below 5, but come ON!  If a song ever deserved a 10, its surely this one.

 
It's got a 10 from me, plouba.  Unbelievable talent too soon taken from us.  And I'm also fond of some Sam Cooke, would love to hear his stuff here too (hint hint BillG) - PEACE and Long Live RP!!
Otis is unequaled, but this song is better with The Rolling Stone. It is a bit slower and  guitars are the most appropriate background to express the sadness...
Got to be back stage with him.  22 year old in frat boy in the south, told him he could move in next to me any time, he still  signed a head shot to me with respect to Bob, A true gentelman, he will be missed.
 boxofrain wrote:
This song is the epitome of REAL love.  Loved this since I was 18 years old.

 
Yes. Great really.
This song is the epitome of REAL love.  Loved this since I was 18 years old.
9
September 9, 1941 – December 10, 1967.  Died in a plane crash at age 25.  
Real man, Real      (damn! : )
Perfection.  Feel it in your bones.
Oh, so fine.

Check out the In Person at the Whisky a Go Go album for a fantastic live version. Ho man... If there ever was, this was.
Don t make me stop now! Otis, I ve been loving you and this song since I was 17. 
This is the definition of Soul. 10 
Bill, ya gotta dig out "Tramp" by Otis & Carla
it'll wake 'em up

thanx 4 playing this  
love Otis and his soul shouting 

I've got this on the Soul album - what a great album.


 Toke wrote:
To all of the latest generation this is what is called ''SOUL'' Note there is no Thumping Bass/Drum ..And he is ''SINGING'' from his Soul, not mumbling/speaking a written score.  

I know what you mean, but Otis Redding recorded quite a few tunes with thumping (or at least "prominent") bass and drums.  Having those elements does not negate them being "Soul" to me.  Then again, who gets to define what "Soul Music" is anyhow?
I notice that no one has rated this below 5, but come ON!  If a song ever deserved a 10, its surely this one.
I have an issue with this song.
There's no  11/10 score available in the RP pulldown rating system. 

This song is beyond perfect.
100% Class!  Wow.  Easy 10

10

Enough said


 Toke wrote:
To all of the latest generation this is what is called ''SOUL'' Note there is no Thumping Bass/Drum ..And he is ''SINGING'' from his Soul, not mumbling/speaking a written score. 
 
I think that there should be some kind of automatic thingy in this thread that keeps this post at the top regardless of anything else that may be written after it.  Utterly Godlike piece of music.
I drop everything I'm doing to listen to him. What a voice. 
Oh, my word.
 sailorgirl wrote:
Can a man actually feel that deeply?  I love men, for sure, but to hear Otis's pain and love - can it be true?

 

the reason we sing about pain, write poetry about pain and live with pain (see:  Zevon, Warren  "Accidentally Like A Martyr") is that if we were to express it everyday conversation most women would consider us weak.

jmoho 

I can still see him and feel him live, can't recall what venue in SF, I think he may of been with the Chambers brothers? or Country Joe / Fish.
This man was the pinnacle of the times. Another disciple of the Electric Church.  
 Toke wrote:
To all of the latest generation this is what is called ''SOUL'' Note there is no Thumping Bass/Drum ..And he is ''SINGING'' from his Soul, not mumbling/speaking a written score. 

 
{#Clap}
Amen. Lord have mercy.

Toke wrote:
Probably the Greatest Soul voice ever to come to have come to the music scene.
 


 sailorgirl wrote:
Can a man actually feel that deeply?  I love men, for sure, but to hear Otis's pain and love - can it be true?
 
Yes.
 sailorgirl wrote:
Can a man actually feel that deeply?  I love men, for sure, but to hear Otis's pain and love - can it be true?
 
And some of us know how to use a vacuum too.
 Toke wrote:
To all of the latest generation this is what is called ''SOUL'' Note there is no Thumping Bass/Drum ..And he is ''SINGING'' from his Soul, not mumbling/speaking a written score. 

 
Absof*****lutely man!
Knocked them dead at the Monterey festival in the 60s.....sadly died In a plane crash!
I've always disliked this kind of music, but man, this is good stuff!
not much better than this.
ohhh. it's perfect.
 bokey wrote:
Yummy goodness.Nobody should try to cover this.

 
 
Agreed! There should be on a list of untouchable songs.
I live down the street from the bridge named after him in Macon, GA.  Macon has to be one of the most prolific cities for music talent in the US with a population under a million.  It is unreal who rolled out of here.  
Ohhhhhhhhhh. Yes.
Yummy goodness. Nobody should try to cover this.

 

To all of the latest generation this is what is called ''SOUL'' Note there is no Thumping Bass/Drum ..And he is ''SINGING'' from his Soul, not mumbling/speaking a written score. 

This is what the "godlike" rating is for.
Always loved this song.  Another great talent taken away too soon.
 lmic wrote:
Otis Redding vs. Sam Cooke. Who wins?
 
Their styles were quite different, for one thing, but as previously mentioned, we all win.
{#Clap}
Otis, my man!  Sing it.

11


 sailorgirl wrote:
Can a man actually feel that deeply?  I love men, for sure, but to hear Otis's pain and love - can it be true?
 
Yes.

WOW!!!!!!!
a b s o l u t e l y   f ' i n g   a m a z i n g...........
Painfully beautiful.{#Kiss}{#Sorry}
Can a man actually feel that deeply?  I love men, for sure, but to hear Otis's pain and love - can it be true?
yes yes yes oh my goodness yes
HazzeSwede wrote:
One song that even must have made GOD shared a tear!!
 Xeric wrote:
Oh, c'mon, now. It isn't quite that irritating.
  OKey then,misty eyed ?{#Undecided}


Timeless and yes, Godlike.
 lmic wrote:
Otis Redding vs. Sam Cooke. Who wins?
  I have to give the edge to Sam Cooke, but I don't really think it's a 'versus' issue. I think they'dve loved to share a stage and riff off each other. Who wins? WE do.


Wow, this song is just sooo good!
Probably the Greatest Soul voice ever to come to have come to the music scene.
Probably the only 11 on my list.

Otis is the MAN!{#Notworthy} This is my fav song from him too!{#Yes}


 oufason wrote:
The way he uses the inflection in his delivery to bring home the emotion is just brillant. It makes me sad when I hear to one of todays singers who seem to use inflection for inflections sake and it has no connectioin to the emotion of the song, they should be required to listen to Otis and Ray for a couple of hours.
 
Absolutely agree. Aaron Neville does it to annoying effect. He has such an incredible voice, but he layers on so much extra carp that it loses all emotional impact.

Otis Redding = Godlike.

Goose bumps!


Just...

WOW!

 Hairfarmer wrote:


Have you heard JJ Grey?
  And there is always Aaron Neville ......


 cstetler wrote:
Otis is our hero here at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music in Memphis!  Come visit!!
 
{#Clap} I'll second this! (gotta support the home team) I've been several times.


 wferrier wrote:
A lot more Stax (and not Dock of the Bay) would help any radio station.
 

fixed your typo {#Wink}
Otis is our hero here at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music in Memphis!  Come visit!!
 sugarbaby wrote:
God...no one sings like this today. No great soul singers anymore. Everyone is all Hip Hop all the time...Plastic{#Frustrated}
 

Have you heard JJ Grey?


God...no one sings like this today. No great soul singers anymore. Everyone is all Hip Hop all the time...Plastic{#Frustrated}
A little more Stax (and not Dock of the Bay) would help any radio station.
what they said {#Arrowd}

i so love otis.
definition of a GODLIKE vocal
HazzeSwede wrote:
One song that even must have made GOD shared a tear!!
Oh, c'mon, now. It isn't quite that irritating.
lmic wrote:
Otis Redding vs. Sam Cooke. Who wins?
i don't know, but i'd like to be there for the contest. 10s all around!
Very few regrets in life - one of them is missing Monterey Pop where Otis stole the show backed by Jones, Cropper, Dunn & Jackson. Epic.
lmic wrote:
Otis Redding vs. Sam Cooke. Who wins?
we're all winners when it comes to these two
oufason wrote:
The way he uses the inflection in his delivery to bring home the emotion is just brillant. It makes me sad when I hear to one of todays singers who seem to use inflection for inflections sake and it has no connectioin to the emotion of the song, they should be required to listen to Otis and Ray for a couple of hours.
Amen!
It will be 40 years ago next Monday (12/10/1967) that he died when his plane crashed in Lake Monona.
Otis Redding vs. Sam Cooke. Who wins?
starfishNcoffee wrote:
Now that's what I'm talking about!
Wow! Amazing. 10. As is Frankie Miller's version.
Now that's what I'm talking about!
The way he uses the inflection in his delivery to bring home the emotion is just brillant. It makes me sad when I hear to one of todays singers who seem to use inflection for inflections sake and it has no connectioin to the emotion of the song, they should be required to listen to Otis and Ray for a couple of hours.
stevo_b wrote:
Ok, you have me, what is plotz?
PLOTZ: To burst, to explode, "I can't laugh anymore or I'll "plotz." To be aggravated beyond bearing as opposed to PUTZ: A vulgarism for penis but most usually used as term of contempt for a fool, or an easy mark. This completes your Yiddish lesson for the day...
meydele wrote:
What is this, Break My Heart Day? First "Pictures of You" and now this . . . you're raking my heart over the coals of long-dead affairs. Keep it up and I'll plotz!
Ok, you have me, what is plotz?
What is this, Break My Heart Day? First "Pictures of You" and now this . . . you're raking my heart over the coals of long-dead affairs. Keep it up and I'll plotz!
fretman wrote:
Otis! My man!
Can we dance with your dates?
Words fail me. I love this artist and this song so much, it's painful!!!
man...just awesome. timeless emotion, timing, phrasing...perfection.
Otis! My man!
taking it way back huh?.. so soo sooooo good
We miss ya, Otis.... So much soul, lost so soon.
i love this, but i've always loved anything by otis...
Got to meet him backstage in 67, told him he could move in next door to me any time. Yeah what a jerk I was . He still signed my picture" with respect" . What a giant , gone to soon.
I have always enjoyed watching the movie that was made from the 1967 Monterey Pop festival put on by John Phillips. One of the most compelling performances in that movie was Otis Redding singing this song. The emotion, heart and sould that pours out of Otis Redding in this performance is almost unmatched by any other live performance that I have ever seen. (another amazing performance came from Janis Joplin and Big Brother & the Holding Company from this same movie/concert performing "Ball & Chain").
One song that even must have made GOD shared a tear!!

I saw him in concert in 1967 in Jacksonville Fl. I think I bought an album with this number on it in 65 or 66. Anyway, when I saw he was coming to town, I was there. Back then in the south I had to sit upstairs in the worst seats in the "whites only" section. God it was great music !!! And way insightful to see the tables turned.
Thanks for the story, that's great! I would give my left one to have seen Otis in concert. Just the very definition of "Soul."
randomprime wrote:
The almighty O?
Ah yes, the Mighty O!!!
hippiechick wrote:
The same god whose name you call out when you're having sex!
The almighty O?
This really is one singer who makes you wonder what he would have produced if he had not passed away so soon.
hippiechick wrote:
The same god whose name you call out when you're having sex!
What's that?
I saw him in concert in 1967 in Jacksonville Fl. I think I bought an album with this number on it in 65 or 66. Anyway, when I saw he was coming to town, I was there. Back then in the south I had to sit upstairs in the worst seats in the "whites only" section. God it was great music !!! And way insightful to see the tables turned.
rgj13 wrote:
It's no theological, it's colloquial.
The same god whose name you call out when you're having sex!
lynncorry1964 wrote:
As much as I love this, I have to say the Etta James cover is my favourite. Otis a nine...Etta 10 +
Nicely put.
SoundsGoodToMe wrote:
RP - the only radio station on the planet that would play The Cure and Otis Redding back to back. Love it!
Amen!
RP - the only radio station on the planet that would play The Cure and Otis Redding back to back. Love it!
As much as I love this, I have to say the Etta James cover is my favourite. Otis a nine...Etta 10 +
dionysius wrote:
Of course Otis deserves his "10" here for the purity and passion of his performance. But it seems odd that the selection option describes "10" as "Godlike" in the little box. Couldn't we come up with a better superlative, or do we have to get all theological?
It's no theological, it's colloquial.
The first time I heard this was as a cover on a Stones album, "Got Live If You Want It" from '66. As a kid, I thought that Jagger & Richards had written it.
Crocky likes.
sumbitch thats gooooooooood
I love this man.
peyotecoyote wrote:
OH, Yeah, TAKE IT TO THE BRIDGE
Take it past the bridge... Take it to the Post Office!
Thankyou Bill for playing that. I needed it.
Vogelfrei wrote:
Those first two words, unaccompanied, followed by a brief pause... it makes my heart swell. Then in come the MGs and the Bar-Kays, and I'm swept away. Bless you Otis. I wish that plane had landed safely.
I'll third the "well said"!!