Tender When I Want to Be

"Tender When I Want to Be" is a song written and recorded by American country music artist Mary Chapin Carpenter. It was released in December 1994 as the second single from her album Stones in the Road. The song reached number 6 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart in February 1995.^[1]

"Tender When I Want to Be"
Single by Mary Chapin Carpenter
from the album Stones in the Road
B-side	"John Doe No 24"
Released	December 5, 1994
Genre	Country
Length	2:54
Label	Columbia
Songwriter(s)	Mary Chapin Carpenter
Producer(s)	Mary Chapin Carpenter John Jennings
Mary Chapin Carpenter singles chronology
"Shut Up and Kiss Me" (1994) "Tender When I Want to Be" (1994) "House of Cards" (1995)

Critical reception

Deborah Evans Price, of Billboard magazine reviewed the song favorably, calling it a "think-while-you-dance pop/country tune about grown-up emotions." She goes on to say that Carpenter continues to "light up country radio with incisive, intelligent lyrics and a talent for creating just the right melody."^[2]

Music video

The music video was directed by Michael Salomon and premiered in early 1995.

Personnel

• Kenny Aronoff–drums
• Mary Chapin Carpenter–lead vocals, acoustic guitar
• Don Dixon–bass guitar, arco bass
• John Jennings–electric guitar, baritone guitar
• Steuart Smith–electric guitar
• Trisha Yearwood–background vocals

Chart performance

"Tender When I Want to Be" debuted at number 59 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks for the week of December 10, 1994.

Chart (1994–1995)	Peak position
Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[3]	2
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[4]	6

Year-end charts

Chart (1995)	Position
Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[5]	44