I've Been Loving You Too Long

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"I've Been Loving You Too Long" (sometimes issued as "I've Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now)") is a song written by Otis Redding and Jerry Butler. It appeared as the A-side of a 1965 hit single by Otis Redding - and subsequently appeared on his third album, Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul. The B-side of the single "Just One More Day," was also a minor hit, reaching #15 on the R&B and #85 on the pop singles charts.

[edit] Cover 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!, but was overdubbed with screaming girls. Redding's profile among white audiences - especially in Europe - was considerably advanced by the exposure given to one of his compositions by the Stones. Returning the compliment - Otis Redding covered a Rolling Stones song "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" - written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.

The most widely known cover version of the song was by Ike and Tina Turner in 1968. It was the lead track from their 1968 Blue Thumb album entitled "Outta Season". The Turners can be seen performing the tune in the live concert video of The Rolling Stones' "Gimme Shelter". The Turner's version differs from the original greatly. During the live concert, and briefly on the audio, the Turners insert a provocative, seductive conclusion of the song. This is the call and response done by the duo:

Ike: You can make me do anything you want me to do... Tina: You can make me do anything you want me to do. Ike: And I'll say... Tina: And I'll...I'll even say anything you want me to say. Ike: Buy you... Tina: I'll buy you anything you want me to buy you. Ike: If ya... Tina: If you just stay and make..and make love to me...

After this dialogue Tina Turner is handling the microphone in a raunchy way. Ike is making suggestive, pornographic slurping noises while playing the guitar. The song ends with Tina having a simulated "orgasm", while yelling "Come on baby, sock it, sock it, sock it to me baby-Oh Oh Ohhhh baby!". Their version peaked at number 23 on the R&B charts and number 68 on the Pop.

Another cover of the song (in 1969) was Barbara Mandrell's debut single as an artist. Etta James covered it on her 1997 album, Love's Been Rough On Me; (she also covered the B-side, "Just One More Day" of the original Redding single, on her "Otis Redding Medley" on the album, Live From San Francisco (1994)).

Australian solo artist, Johnny Diesel, covered the song on his 1992 album The Lobbyist. It was issued as a single in the same year, and became a Diesel favourite, also appearing on his compilation album, Rewind - The Best Of. The song was also covered by the British band, Tindersticks, and appeared on their album, Donkeys 92-97.

The track also appeared as part of a medley, with "Drown in My Own Tears" and "When Something Is Wrong with My Baby", on Joe Cocker's Mad Dogs and Englishmen album.

[edit] See also

• List of recordings preserved in the United States National Recording Registry