Try a Little Love
Sam Cooke · 1965
30 min · 12 tracks · rhythm and blues
A smooth blend of soul and rhythm and blues, infused with Cooke's signature heartfelt vocals and melodic sophistication.
Top tracks — play these first
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Try a Little Love Start here — The title track encapsulates the album's theme of romance and vulnerability, showcasing Cooke's emotive vocal delivery and lyrical depth.
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You Send Me — This classic hit is a hallmark of Cooke's career, displaying his smooth vocal style and ability to convey deep emotional longing.
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Don't Cry on My Shoulder — This poignant ballad highlights Cooke's talent for storytelling through music, reflecting themes of love and heartache with sincerity.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Cooke's smooth vocal style and rich arrangements create a strong yet familiar sound in this solid R&B album.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of lush string arrangements that complement Cooke's vocal delivery throughout.
- Several tracks employ a call-and-response structure, highlighting the interplay between Cooke's lead vocals and background harmonies.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo flow throughout
- heartfelt storytelling in lyrics
- for romantic evenings
- easy sing-alongs with friends
Maybe skip if you
- prefer longer, sprawling albums
- seek instant gratification tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Deep Cut — Solid entry that showcases Cooke's evolution but isn't widely recognized as a standout.
- Career context
- Released in early 1965, 'Try a Little Love' came during Sam Cooke's peak as a popular soul artist, following his groundbreaking album 'Live at the Harlem Square Club'. This period marked Cooke's transition from gospel to mainstream success, solidifying his influence on the genre and paving the way for future artists in soul music.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Otis Redding· Al Green· Marvin Gaye
Tracklist
- 1 Try a Little Love Start here 2:37
- 2 Don’t Cry on My Shoulder 2:40
- 3 Bridge of Tears 2:49
- 4 I Fall in Love Every Day 2:07
- 5 You’re Always on My Mind 2:12
- 6 Almost in Your Arms 2:01
- 7 When a Boy Falls in Love 2:29
- 8 To Each His Own 3:04
- 9 Tammy 3:30
- 10 The Gypsy 2:30
- 11 The Little Things You Do 2:13
- 12 You Send Me 2:41
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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