At Last

by

Etta James

Album: At Last!      Released: 1961

US Chart: 47     

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Songfacts:  You can leave comments about the song at the bottom of the page.

This is about finding that one true love. It's a very popular wedding song. (thanks, Dee - Boone, IA)

Etta James was born Jamesetta Hawkins on January 25, 1938 in Los Angeles. She started singing at only 5 years old in her Baptist church choir. Known for her amazing voice, many people considered James the "Queen Of Soul" before Aretha Franklin claimed the title.

The songwriting team of Mack Gordon and Harry Warren wrote this in 1941 for the film musical Sun Valley Serenade. The following year it was rearranged and re-recorded and used in the film Orchestra Wives. It was performed in both movies by Glenn Miller and his orchestra with vocals by Ray Eberle, and the song became a major big band hit in October 1942. Gordon and Warren composed other hits together, including "Chattanooga Choo Choo," "Serenade in Blue," "You'll Never Know," and "There Will Never Be Another You." Many of their songs were for musical motion pictures, including at least one written for Shirley Temple. Before teaming up, they were successful composers on their own and wrote numerous other songs with other partners. Gordon wrote the lyrics and Warren wrote the music.

Ten years after the original, Ray Anthony & his Orchestra returned this to the charts in a version with vocals by Tommy Mercer.

Etta recorded this in 1961 shortly after signing with Chess records. Leonard Chess thought Etta was a classy ballad singer and saw pop crossover potential in her. It was his decision to back her with violin orchestrations for the song. It went to #2 on the R&B charts.

Etta has battled various drug addictions through the years, but it has rarely affected her music. She was in the midst of her addictions and other personal and professional problems when "At Last" was recorded. It is her most enduring song, but is not typical of her work. Many of her songs have more of a Blues feel and often contain darker lyrics that reflect the challenges she's faced. Etta never gained massive popularity, but she eventually beat her two-decade drug problems and has been cited as an influence by many young singers, including Christina Aguilera. She was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in 1993, and is still touring and recording.

Some of the artists who have recorded this include Cyndi Lauper, Celine Dion, Gladys Knight and Joan Osborne. Christina Aguilera and Jason Mraz have both covered it in concert. (thanks, Crystal - Springfield, MO, for above 5)

This is featured on the soundtrack of the 1998 movie Pleasantville, starring Toby McGuire. (thanks, Ariel - Rehovot, Israel)

Beyoncé covered this for the soundtrack of the movie Cadillac Records, which told the story of Chess Records. The Destiny's Child singer portrayed Etta James in the film.

Knowles sang this at Brack Obama's first dance with his wife Michelle during the Neighborhood Ball on the night of his inauguration as American president. Thanks to the interest aroused by her rendition, Beyoncé's version entered the American Hot 100 at #67. All was well in Beyoncé's world until Etta James spoke out at a concert in Seattle. Apparently miffed at not being asked to perform her signature song for Obama, James said: "I can't stand Beyoncé. On a big old president day, don't be up there singing my song that I've been singing forever."

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Comments:

I honestly love the song "at last". And my honest opinion, Beyonce Knowles is doing a great job on this song!!! I love listeing to this song, before i go to sleep i listen to this song, when i'm in the bath, in my car.... It's beautiful and relxing and it makes me fall more and more inlove with my partner. and this song is so true!! But all over Etta James is still the best!!!
- Thomnesia, cape town, South Africa

I agree with Etta James in that "I can't stand Beyonce," either. Also I concur with Carlos that it wasn't cool that Beyonce did the song live at the Obama inaugural ball. It truly is a shame that Beyonce covered this wonderful, meaningful, classic love-at-first-sight song, because she doesn't have what it takes to do that song, Beyonce's version is weak, lifeless, vapid and completely without power or emotion. Whenever I hear her version on the radio (they play it on Smooth Jazz, unfortunately), I have to shut it off because I can't bear to hear her murder that beautiful song. As far as the writer who is enamored of Beyonce's singing, I've only heard her display some vocal ability on one song in her entire career; otherwise it is all 'whining' as the same writer said characterizes "most young women singers these days." One final comment: I've heard a couple other versions of "At Last" on Lounge radio where they play lounge standards, and there just isn't any comparison of any other version that can stand up to Etta James' landmark recording of it. Irregardless of her rude attitude or tacky comments or past problems, James completely nails that song to the wall like no one else ever could.
- Pala, Madison, WI, WI

Beyonce, unlike the vast majority of young women who proport to be singers these days, actually can sing and she does it quite well. Most young women singers these days either whine or moan and they think that expresses emotion, and the mindless teeny-boppers gobble up this garbage and make these no talents into stars! Etta James' tirade showed a distinct lack of class, which I found both surprising and sad. Beyonce has shown herself to be a true talent. She's not Etta, but that's okay. No one but Etta is. But that does not mean that no one else ever can try to sing this song!
- Jerry, Brooklyn, NY

It is a total shame that Beyonce sang this instead of Etta at the inauguration. Etta is a true legend with tons of class and "At Last" is always associated with her. Beyonce is a media hound with a weak voice who uses things like this for publicity. Why anyone can stand listening to her for more than 5 seconds is beyond me. I would be upset if I were Etta too.
- Carlos, Tampa, FL

Personally, I just love her voice and the range on this song. It is truly one of those songs you can sing with all of your heart and soul in the car, and you don't care who sees you because it feels good. She could have been singing about cleaning toilets, and because of her voice I still would have loved it.
- Sarah, Las Vegas, NV

My husband and I love to dance to this. We even did it one time when it was playing at Bed, Bath, and Beyond. Chanddrikka, I got married exactly a month before you. But we did not use this song as our wedding song.
- Julia, Knoxville, TN

This is the best love song ever. It's so heavenly, with that whole concept about love at first sight, and that wonderful feeling one gets when they realize that they're in love.
- Kristin, Yaphank, NY

yeah, I must admit, I love it so much that I used a snippet of it in my wedding!
- Tanya, Los Angeles, CA

At a recent performance at the Hollywood Bowl, Etta James introduced this song as "that song you've heard at every lame-ass wedding you've ever been to."
- John, Los Angeles, CA

I was married on April 10th of this year and this is the song that I used. Everybody love it. C. Fisher Baton Rouge, LA
- Chanddrikka, Baton Rouge, LA

The uniqueness of this song, the arrangement and Etta James' interpetation of it truly places it in the "classic" category. But James was SO versatile! If you want to really hear her "rock out" sometime, listen to her sing "Tell Mama"! And you will become a true believer.
- Jonnie, St. Louis, MO

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