Acoustic cover of "At Last" made famous by Etta James
Vocals: Yuliyah
Arrangement: George Reshetar
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"At Last" is a song composed by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren for the movie Sun Valley Serenade in 1941. In the next year the song was re-arranged and re-recorded to be used in the film Orchestra Wives. In both movies the song was performed by Glenn Miller and his Orchestra, vocals by Ray Eberle. 1942 version reached number 2 on the US Billboard pop music chart.
Then in 1961 the song was produced by Leonard Chess using Etta James’s vocals. Leonard Chess saw Etta James’s potential as a pop crossover ballad singer. He created violin orchestrations for Etta James version. The song reached number 2 on the R&B charts.
The song was distinctively different to earlier Etta James’s works that had blues feel and darker lyrics. “At Last” is a positive song about finding true love. The song has a classical feel and until today it is a very popular wedding music choice.
“At last” has been performed by many singers including Cyndi Lauper, Celine Dion, Gladys Knight and Joan Osborne. Christina Aguilera and Jason Mraz have both covered it in live concerts.
“At last” was also featured as a soundtrack of the 1998 movie Pleasantville, starring Tobey Maguire. That same year, it was also used in the movie Rain Man in a scene where Tom Cruise teaches Dustin Hoffman how to dance.
Later in 2008 Beyoncé covered the song for the movie Cadillac Records, where she portrays Etta James and tells the story of Chess Records. Beyoncé won critical acclaim for portraying James in Cadillac Records and has performed "At Last" several times since the release of the movie, including in front of Etta James. Beyonce also performed “At Last” live at Barack Obama's first dance with his wife, Michelle, during the Neighborhood Ball on the night of his inauguration as American president.
The song became very popular as audition song for TV talent shows. In fact this was one of five songs that Simon Cowell said he never wants to hear again at an audition.
Lyrics:
At last
My love has come along
My lonely days are over
And life is like a song
Oh, yeah, yeah, at last
The skies above are blue
My heart was wrapped up in clover
The night I looked at you
And I found a dream that I could speak to
A dream that I can call my own
I found a thrill to press my cheek to
A thrill that I have never known
Oh, yeah, yeah, and you smile, you smile
Oh, and then the spell was cast
And here we are in Heaven
For you are mine at last
3 окт 2024
