First recorded by Lorraine Ellison (1968).
Hit album version by Janis Joplin (US #103 1969).
From the wiki: “‘Try (Just a Little Bit Harder)’ was written by Jerry Ragnovoy (‘Piece of My Heart‘, ‘Time Is on My Side‘) and Chip Taylor (‘Wild Thing‘, ‘Angel of the Morning‘) and first recorded by Gospel-Soul singer Lorraine Ellison in 1968. The song was covered by Janis Joplin in 1969.”
Janis Joplin, “Try (Just a Little Bit Harder)” (1969):
Janis Joplin, “Try (Just a Little Bit Harder)” TV performance from The Dick Cavett Show (1969):
http://youtu.be/OfUcCIUl1gs