"I've Been Loving You Too Long" (originally listed as "Otis Redding Tribute") is a unreleased cover song by American recording artist Britney Spears, intended for her fifth studio album, Blackout.
The song's original version is performed by American Soul singer Otis Redding.
Background[]
"I've Been Loving You Too Long" was written by Redding and Jerry Butler. Spears' version of the song was produced by Christopher "Notes" Olsen.
The song was possibly intended for an early version of her fifth album submitted to her former record label, Jive Records, recorded in early-mid 2006, which included songs from producers Notes and Doug Elkins.[1]
“ | "I listen to Otis Redding a lot. I love him, man. I just think he's awesome. There's nothing better than putting him on, getting in the tub and lighting some candles, and just chillin'".[2] | ” |
—Britney Spears, Interview with Rebecca Murray and Fred Topel |
Possibly recorded in the same session as "Rebellion".
On April 9, 2019, the demo version of the song with Spears' vocals has leaked online.
On December 10, 2024, the final instrumental and a reference final version with Redding's vocals have leaked online.
You can listen to the song in all its versions here: Spears' demo version, final instrumental, final version with Redding's reference vocals.
Lyrics[]
[Verse 1]
I've been loving you
A little too long now
And I can’t stop now
Yeah, oh
[Verse 2]
You were tired
And you want to be free, yeah
My love is growing stronger
As you become a habit
A habit to me
[Chorus]
Oh, I've been loving you
A little too long now
No, I can't stop now
Oh, oh
[Post-Chorus]
I won't stop loving you, no
I won't stop loving you, no, no
I won't stop loving you
I won't stop loving you
I won't stop loving you
I won't stop
I won't stop loving you
I won’t stop loving you
[Outro]
(I won't stop loving you)
NOTE: Spears did not record this version
[Verse 1]
I've been loving too long
To stop now
[Verse 2]
You were tired
And you want to be free
My love is growing stronger
As you become a habit to me
[Chorus]
Oh, I've been loving you
Too long
I don't wanna stop now
[Verse 3]
With you, my life has been so wonderful
I can't stop now
[Verse 4]
Tired, and your love is growing cold
My love is growing stronger
As our affair, affair is growing old
[Chorus]
I've been loving you
Oh, too long
To stop now
Oh, oh
[Post-Chorus]
I've been loving you
A little too long
I don't wanna stop now
Oh, oh
[Outro]
Don't make me stop now
Oh, [?]
Please, please don't make me stop now
I love, I love
I love, [?]
Please, please, please, please
Don't make me stop now
Trivia[]
- In February 2006, Spears said: "I used to listen to blues music and all that stuff. I would like to try to have more influences of that sound".[3]
- Although the song's instrumental was finished, it is known that Spears only recorded the demo version. A final version with Spears' vocals does not exist.
- In 2020, Spears wrote, "One of the main artists that inspired me to get into music was definitely Otis Redding... I used to love listening to his music... and as you can see ... I still do!".
- Spears listed Redding's seventh studio album, The Dock of the Bay, among her favorite albums.[4]
- Spears currently uses some of Redding's songs for her Instagram videos.[5]
[]
References[]
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20180317033122/https://worldofwonder.net/a-just-discovered-blackout-era-britney-single-youve-never-heard-red-hot-lipstick/
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20141102055213/http://movies.about.com/library/weekly/aa022102a.htm
- ↑ People Magazine, February 2006
- ↑ Rolling Stone, 2003
- ↑ https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/britney-spears-dances-to-otis-redding-shares-hawaii-vacation-pics-9530603/