The Black Crowes - Hard To Handle - About the song
This song was originally recorded by Otis Redding, who wrote it with Allen Jones and Al Bell. It was the only cover song on The Black Crowes debut album, which sold over five million copies. Running a compact 3:08, The Black Crows turned the song into a rocker, using guitars instead of horns and extending the song from Redding's 2:18 original.
"Hard to handle" was The Black Crowes' third single, following "Twice As Hard" and "Jealous Again." It made #45 in the US in December 1990, as the group was rapidly gaining momentum. After "She Talks To Angels" hit #30 in May 1991 - over a year after the album was released -
"Hard To Handle" was reissued, this time going to #26 and becoming the highest-charting single for the band on the Hot 100. The group had been together for five years before signing a record deal with Def American, which prepared them well for the onslaught of success. Their live act had already been honed, and many who saw them remained lifetime fans as they became more of a jam band.
Hard To Handle - Lyrics
Baby, here I am
I'm a man on the scene
I can give you what you want
But you gotta come home with me
I have got some good old lovin'
And I got some more in store
When I get through throwin' it on you
You gotta come back for more
Boys and things that come by the dozen
That ain't nothin' but drugstore lovin'
Hey little thing let me light your candle
'Cause mama I'm so hard to handle now
Yes, I am
Action speaks louder than words
And I'm a man of great experience
I know you've got another man
But I can love you better than him
Take my hand don't be afraid
I'm gonna prove every word I say
I'm advertising love for free
So you can place your ad with me
Boys – they come along a dime by the dozen
That ain't nothing but ten cent lovin'
Pretty little thing let me light your candle
'Cause mama I'm sure hard to handle now
Yes, I am
Yeah
Hard to handle now
Oh baby
Baby, here I am
I'm a man on your scene
I can give you what you want
But you gotta come home with me
I have got some good old lovin'
And I got some more in store
When I get through throwin' it on you
You gotta come back for more
Boys – they run along a dime by the dozen
That ain't nothin' but drugstore lovin'
Pretty little thing let me light your candle
'Cause mama I'm so hard to handle now
Yes, I am
Hard
Hard to handle now
Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah
Boys – they go along a dime by the dozen
That ain't nothing but ten cent lovin'
Pretty little thing let me light your candle
'Cause mama I'm so hard to handle now
Yes, I am
Yeah
You're hard to handle now
Oh, yeah
Baby, a good lovin'
Baby, baby
Oh, oh, good lovin'
I need good lovin'
I gotta handle, oh, yeah
Haa, yeah
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