"Try A Little Tenderness"

Recently, I've Listened to a lot of Otis Redding's songs. The singer tragically died in a plane crash at the age of 26, but nevertheless left a legacy of great songs behind him such as: Try a Little Tenderness, Love Man, That's How Strong My Love Is, Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay, and Respect. His songs have been featured in over 160 soundtracks for movies, tv shows and the like. Here's a clip of Otis's memorable song "These Arms of Mine," that is in the movie "Dirty Dancing":

The movies "Dirty Dancing," "Casino," "Top Gun," "Love Actually," and "Pretty in Pink" all play one or more of Redding's songs. In "Pretty in Pink," the song "Try a Little Tenderness" touches on issues in Andie's life. It's one of my favorite movie moments of all time. Check it out:

In "Pretty in Pink," a young and inspiring high schooler named Andie (Molly Ringwald) encounters pessimism from rich kids that go to her school. Not being from "the right side of the tracks," Andie must learn how to battle their outbursts when she begins to date Blane (Andrew McCarthy), a member of the rich kid clan. However, with little support from her best friend, Duckie (John Cryer), and arguments with her father, how will Andie face the pressures that come with her new love interest?
The movie generated a following not only for its appeal to the misunderstood, but also for Andie's style. Andie's wardrobe reflects part of her unique identity and has catapulted her to a fashion icon. Take a look at some of Andie's outfits:

Haha, just kidding on the photo to the left: that's her friend, Duckie!

So why does Redding's song remind me of this movie specifically? The song enhances the movie; it helps make it special. It embodies Andie's cry for compassion that she needes from her father, Duckie, her boyfriend, and even her peers. Without the song, the movie could convey the same message, but the song really expresses one of the key ideas in the movie. It communicates some of the problems in Andie's life when key members in her support system (her father, her boyfriend, Duckie) abandon her. The movie can really help when you're feeling lonely and disappointed by people you care for.
Bottom line: Otis Redding and "Pretty and Pink" are both great. Check them out!
Otis Redding's Song Lyrics for Certain Songs:
I'VE BEEN LOVING YOU TOO LONG
"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 grows old
I've been loving you a little too long, long"

SITTIN' ON THE DOCK OF THE BAY
"Looks like nothing's gonna change
Everything still remains the same
I can't do what ten people tell me to do
So I guess I'll remain the same, listen

Sittin' here resting my bones
And this loneliness won't leave me alone, listen
Two thousand miles I roam
Just to make this dock my home, now

I'm just gon' sit at the dock of a bay
Watchin' the tide roll away, ooh
Sittin' on the dock of the bay
Wastin' time"
Quotes from "Pretty in Pink":
1. "May I admire you again today? This is a really volcanic ensemble you're wearing, it's really marvelous!" Duckie to Andie
2. "I just want them to know that they didn't break me" Andie
3."You know you're talking like that just because I'm going out with Blane"Andie
"His name is Blane? Oh! That's a major appliance, that's not a name!" Duckie
4. "If somebody doesn't believe in me, I can't believe in them"Andie