This week, I’ve had Etta James’ “At Last” #OnRepeat. I know a lot of you out there, when reading this, will think “of course,” but I’m actually writing this post for all of the people who don’t know who Etta James is. Especially the younger ones who think that Beyonce’s version of “At Last” is the end all and won’t think to do their own research. I’ve always try to educate myself about music that I hear for the first time–read books, articles, watch documentaries, or even just strike up a conversation with your parents or a professor.
For those of you who don’t know who Etta James is, she is a Blues, Jazz, Gospel, and R&B singer who is known for bridging the gap between R&B and Rock ‘n’ Roll. She is associated with Chess Records, who were very successful in the 1960s and is known for implementing elements of Soul and Gospel music into her songs. Some of her well-known songs (among many others) are “All I Could Do Was Cry,” “Tell Mama,” and “I’d Rather Go Blind.”
“At Last” is one of the few songs that you can listen to and within the first few bars you know who is singing. It is a classic Etta James song. Although many musicians that I’ve spoken with about this song have said that the song has become too “played-out”–being played at weddings, at parties, and receptions–they all agree that the reason for this, is that the song is an iconic love song. Etta James has so much passion and soul in her voice. Whenever I hear “At Last,” I hear a deeper emotion than just puppy love, something that blends raw emotion with all of those funny butterflies-in-your-stomach, dancing-in-the-rain feelings you get when you find that one person you can’t stop thinking about and want to spend every waking moment with, even when all of the initial “honeymoon” feelings of a relationship start to fade.
I hope that you enjoy listening to this song as much as I do–even as many times as I do! In my opinion, Etta James will always be one of the queens of Soul and Blues music because of her powerful voice and the way in which she conveys the message of each song.
If you guys have any songs, musicians or groups that you can’t stop listening to, leave a comment below!