I’ve Been Loving You For Too Long (To Stop Now)

Written for Jim’s Thursday Inspiration #298 –
‘Lovin’ You.’ Here’s my spin on things.

This week in Thursday Inspiration, Jim Adams asked us to respond to his challenge “Lovin’ You” by using the prompt word old, or the song “Lovin’ You” by Minnie Riperton, or another song or anything else we think fits. That got me thinking about another excellent ‘loving you’ song and I was inspired to write about the great Otis Redding and his song “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now)”.

One of America’s greatest soul singers, Otis Redding helped bridge the gap between rock and soul music in the mid ‘60s. His fans spanned both black and white listeners, and he believed that music was the universal language that could tie us all together. Known for his sincere emotional delivery, Otis Redding became the voice of soul music, earning the title King of Soul. 

Otis Redding was born September 9, 1941, in Dawson, Georgia; he grew up listening to the music of Sam Cooke and Little Richard. In the late 1950s, Redding joined the Upsetters, the band that had formerly backed Little Richard. In 1960, Redding moved to Los Angeles where he began releasing singles. He returned to Georgia a year later; during a session at Memphis’ Stax studios, Redding recorded a ballad he’d written, “These Arms of Mine”. The song quickly took off, rising to #20 on the R&B charts in 1963.

Redding began a recording career at Stax, playing guitar and arranging his own songs. He was known for his energy in the studio and, in 1965, spent one entire day recording the album, Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul. That same year, he released “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long“. Considered by music critics and writers to be one of Redding’s finest performances and a soul classic, it became his second best-selling single after “Dock Of The Bay”.

“I’ve Been Loving You” reached #21 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #2 on the Billboard Rhythm & Blues chart. Billboard described it as a “winning, tender piece and a soulful performance”. Cash Box described it as “an amorous, slow-moving heartfelt lament“. “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long” became Redding’s biggest hit upon its release.

In addition to sales, Redding’s magnetic stage presence and sincere performances made him a star. On June 17, 1967, Redding performed at the Monterey International Pop Festival, where he was enthusiastically received. His emotional style and powerful singing became synonymous with soul music.

On December 6, 1967, Otis Redding recorded “Dock of the Bay”. The song hit #1 on the pop and R&B charts the following year, but Redding wouldn’t live to see his success. Four days after the recording session – on December 10, 1967 – Redding and four members of his band, the Bar-Keys, were killed after their chartered plane crashed into Lake Monoma in Wisconsin.

His memory and contributions are kept alive through the work of his widow Zelma and their children, who established the Big “O” Youth Educational Dream Foundation to empower and educate children through the arts, which was a personal mission of Redding’s.

Zelma arranged for Otis to be buried in a field across the road from her sprawling ranch house. Her name is carved into the headstone of the empty grave next to his. She likes the fact that she can see the graves from her living room window. In the 57 years since Otis’ death, Zelma has not remarried. Some may say she’s been loving him for too long; she would disagree.

This is “I’ve Been Loving You To Long (To Stop Now)” by Otis Redding.

LYRICS

I’ve been loving you too long to stop now

You were tired and you want to be free
My love is growing stronger, as you become a habit to me
Ooh, I’ve been loving you too long
I don’t want to stop now, oh

With you my life has been so wonderful
I can’t stop now

You were 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, long to stop now
No, No, No
I’ve been loving you a little too long
I don’t want to stop now
No, No

Don’t make me stop now, oh, baby
I’m down on my knees, just please, don’t make me stop now

I love you, I love you
I love you with all of my heart
And I can’t stop now
Please, please, please don’t, don’t make me stop now, yeah
Oh, talkin’ ’bout heart and soul, crying
Crying out loud …..

Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Jerry Butler/Otis Redding
I’ve Been Loving You Too Long [Set 1/Sunday, 4/10/66] lyrics © Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Thursday Inspiration #279 Lovin’ You

Big thanks Jim Adams for today’s inspiration. Thanks to you all for stopping by for a look and a listen.

That’s all she wrote, kids. See you on the flip side. 😎

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