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At Last
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Wikipedia article
"'At Last'" is a song written by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren for the musical film 'Sun Valley Serenade' (1941). Glenn Miller and his orchestra recorded the tune several times, with a 1942 version reaching number two on the US 'Billboard' pop music chart.
In 1960, rhythm and blues singer Etta James recorded an arrangement by Riley Hampton that improvised on Warren's original melody. Etta James' rendition was the title track on her debut album 'At Last!' (1960) and was eventually inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. Most recently, Celine Dion and Beyonc have also had chart successes with the song.
Glenn Miller original renditions
Prior to release of 'Sun Valley Serenade', "At Last" was performed in the film by Glenn Miller and his orchestra, with vocals by John Payne and Lynn Bari, dubbed by Pat Friday. Studio head Darryl Zanuck reportedly said: "There are too many big ones in this. Let's save one for the next." The "At Last" vocal by Payne and Bari was thus deleted from the film, although instrumental versions remained, including in the Black Ice Ballet finale. The vocal version was included in the movie 'Orchestra Wives '(1942), which also featured the Glenn Miller orchestra. It was sung by Ray Eberle and Bari, again dubbed by Friday.
Unreleased recordings of the song were made in 1941 by Glenn Miller. A new version was recorded by Glenn Miller and His Orchestra in Hollywood on May 20, 1942, and released by RCA Victor Records as a 78 single,RCA Victor 27934-B backed with the A-side "(I've Got a Gal In) Kalamazoo". The song entered the US 'Billboard' pop music chart (called "Songs with the Most Radio Plugs" at the time) on August 1, 1942 at number 17 and peaked at number two on August 29, 1942. It spent a total of 17 weeks on the chart and later became a musical standard.
The personnel on the 1942 studio recording of "At Last": Ray Eberle (vocals), Billy May, John Best, Steve Lipkins, R.D. McMickle (trumpet), Glenn Miller, Jim Priddy, Paul Tanner, Frank D'Annolfo (trombone), Lloyd "Skip" Martin, Wilbur Schwartz (clarinet, alto saxophone), Tex Beneke, Al Klink (tenor saxophone), Ernie Caceres (baritone saxophone), Chummy MacGregor (piano), Bobby Hackett (guitar), Edward "Doc" Goldberg (string bass), and Maurice Purtill (drums).'The Essential Glenn Miller'. Recording Information, p. 33. BMG/RCA/Bluebird, 1995. The arrangement was by Jerry Gray and Bill Finegan.
When RCA Victor issued two 10-inch LP soundtracks to 'Sun Valley Serenade'RCA Victor LPT- 3064 and 'Orchestra Wives'RCA Victor LPT-3065 in 1954, to coincide with the theatrical reissue of the two films, the outtake version of "At Last" from "Sun Valley Serenade" was included, heard for the first time, but the version in 'Orchestra Wives' was not. This latter rendition was eventually on LP in 1958, in the 20th-Fox double-disc (TCF-100-2) Glenn Miller 'Compilation of His Original Film Soundtracks'.
Wartime release
The 1942 RCA Victor studio recording of "At Last" by Glenn Miller and his Orchestra featuring Ray Eberle on vocals was released as a U.S. Army V-Disc or Victory Disc by the U.S. War Department during World War II in October 1943 as No. 12A.[https://www.discogs.com/release/7930062-Glenn-Miller-And-His-Orchestra-At-Last-Moonlight-Mood At Last/Moonlight Mood. V Disc 12. Discogs.] V-Discs were sent to American soldiers and military personnel overseas.Later versions
"At Last" has been recorded by many other artists since its original 1940s renditions. Former Glenn Miller Orchestra trumpeter Ray Anthony had the highest charting recording of the song in the U.S. on the pop charts in 1952, peaking at number two on the 'Billboard' pop singles chart and number 20 on the 'Cashbox' chart.
A recording by Gene Watson peaked at number 61 on the 'Billboard' Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart in 1991.
In 2012, Christina Aguilera was invited by Etta James' family to sing "At Last" at James' funeral. At the funeral, Aguilera stated that James was her idol and inspiration, and that in honor of James, she performs "At Last" at every concert.
Etta James version
{{Infobox song| name = At Last
| cover = At Last Etta James.jpg
| alt =
| caption = American single label
| type = single
| artist = Etta James
| album = At Last!
| B-side = I Just Want to Make Love to You
| released =
| recorded = 1960
| studio =
| genre = *Rhythm and blues
*pop
*soul
| length =
| label = Argo
| writer = *Mack Gordon
*Harry Warren
| producer = *Phil Chess
*Leonard Chess
| prev_title = Spoonful
| prev_year = 1960
| next_title = Don't Cry Baby
| next_year = 1961
| misc =
}}
"At Last" became R&B singer Etta James's signature song and was the third in a string of successful songs from her Argo Records debut album (Argo LP 4003, mono; LPS 4003, stereo) 'At Last!'. In April 1961, it became her second number two R&B hit single (Argo 5380) and crossed over to pop radio, reaching number 47 on the 'Billboard' Hot 100. Despite its modest pop chart standing, the song is well-known and is still played regularly on oldies radio stations and has become a musical standard. James' recording also reached the top 40 in Cashbox (#30) and Music Vendor.
James' version, with its passionate vocal and sweeping orchestration, is often used for weddings and wedding receptions.
After one of James' other singles, "Something's Got a Hold on Me", was sampled in two hit singles in 2011 (Avicii's "Levels" and Flo Rida's "Good Feeling"), "At Last" charted in the United Kingdom for the first time at number 69. Following James' death in 2012, the song again rose in the charts and even reached the top 40.
In 2004 and 2005, MLB on Fox used the song for the end credits of both World Series, showing curses being broken for the Boston Red Sox and the Chicago White Sox, respectively.
In 2009, James' version was inducted to the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry.
In 2021, it was ranked at No. 115 on Rolling Stone's "Top 500 Greatest Songs of All Time".
Charts
Certifications
Celine Dion version
{{Infobox song| name = At Last
| cover = Celine Dion - At Last promo.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Epic white label promo release
| type = single
| artist = Celine Dion
| album = A New Day Has Come
| released =
| recorded =
| studio = *Studio Piccolo
*Bananaboat
| genre = *Pop
*soul
| length =
| label = *Columbia
*Epic
| writer = *Mack Gordon
*Harry Warren
| producer = *Humberto Gatica
*Guy Roche
| prev_title = Goodbye's (The Saddest Word)
| prev_year = 2002
| next_title = I Drove All Night
| next_year = 2003
| misc =
}}
"At Last" was covered by Celine Dion and included on her sixth English-language album 'A New Day Has Come' (2002). Her version was produced by Humberto Gatica and Guy Roche and was released as a promotional single in the US on December 9, 2002. There was no associated music video, and it was the last single released from Dion's album.
Commenting on the song, Dion revealed: "I can see beginning my show and looking into everyone's eyes and singing this song. This is my hello."
Dion's "At Last" peaked at number 16 on the Adult Contemporary chart. A live version of this song was included on the 'A New Day... Live in Las Vegas' album in 2004, as Dion performed it for four years during her 'A New Day...' show in Las Vegas. She has also performed the song on several television programs.
Critical reception
Dion's rendition was critically acclaimed. Frdric Garat of RFI wrote that the song is "a lovely exercise which reveals the layer of blues hiding underneath the slightly prim and proper petticoats of the 'international star'." Barnes & Noble's Editorial review commented, "Her solid rendition of Etta James's 'At Last' should satisfy her lovelorn fans." Sal Cinquemani of 'Slant Magazine' called it "a soulful rendition."
Chuck Taylor of 'Billboard' said that this "standard" serves her grown-up fans. However, Rob Sheffield of 'Rolling Stone' commented that "she doesn't have the pipes for material defined by Etta James." Ken Tucker of 'Entertainment Weekly' agreed, calling it a "pallid cover."
Charts
Beyonc version
{{Infobox song| name = At Last
| cover = Beyonce - At Last (single).png
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Beyonc
| album = Cadillac Records: Music from the Motion Picture
| released =
| recorded =
| studio =
| genre = Soul blues
| length =
| label = Columbia
| writer = *Mack Gordon
*Harry Warren
| producer =
| prev_title = Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)
| prev_year = 2008
| next_title = Diva
| next_year = 2009
| misc =
}}
"At Last" was also covered by Beyonc and included on the soundtrack album of the film 'Cadillac Records' (2008). It was released on the soundtrack album on December 2, 2008 through Columbia Records. In the film, Beyonc actually portrays Etta James. Beyonc won critical acclaim for her role 'Cadillac Records' and has performed "At Last" several times since the movie was released, including in front of James herself. Beyonce told MTV News: "[Etta James is] one of my heroes, and I always loved her voice, but now knowing what she's been through, she's one of my heroes. I'm not sure if she thought [I would be good] as her. I'm very, very nervous... I actually spoke with her and she told me, 'I loved you from the first time you sung.'" Beyonc also later told 'Billboard': "I realized that Etta James was so unapologetic, bold and strong that playing her was a big risk for me. It gave me the confidence and the push to challenge myself a little more with my music."
Critical reception
John Kehe of 'The Christian Science Monitor' wrote: "No one can channel Etta she's a singular talent but Beyonc does it her own way and conjurs enough emotion and grit to make it work in the context of the movie." A. O. Scott of 'The New York Times' added that Beyonc's interpretation of "At Last" was "downright revelatory" and described Beyonc as "a real soul diva of the old school." A writer of 'Entertainment Weekly' wrote that "when she belts out 'At Last,' it all makes sense."
By contrast, Thom Jurek of Allmusic wrote that on "At Last",
This was somewhat echoed by Robert Fontenot of About.com who thought that Beyonc
Margeaux Watson of 'Entertainment Weekly' also gave a mixed review for the song, writing,
Beyonc's version of "At Last" won the Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards. On 'The Village Voice's 2008 year-end Pazz & Jop singles list, Beyonc's version of "At Last" was ranked at number 443.
Live performances
"At Last" was performed live for the first time by Beyonc during the 2008 Fashion Rocks on September 5, 2008 as a tribute to James. The live version of the song at the show was later released in 2008. Beyonc performed the song live at Barack Obama's first dance with his wife Michelle during the Neighborhood Ball on the night of his inauguration as President of the United States. She told Entertainment Tonight: "To sing 'At Last' while they have their first dance is a dream come true. I could not be more honored and excited that they have asked me to be part of this moment in history." Jen Chaney of 'The Washington Post' wrote,
Etta James, who was not happy at all, remarked to the audience at a concert from the stage of Seattle's Paramount Theatre a week later:
A week later, she continued savaging Beyonc's performance by adding
However, she later told the New York 'Daily News' she meant no harm when poked fun at the president and she ripped Beyonc for her performance of "At Last" during the inauguration; James acknowledged being miffed she was not invited to perform her signature song for Obama's first dance with his wife on inauguration night. The event was telecast live on multiple broadcast and cable television networks. At each of the balls, the Obamas' dance song remained "At Last".
" and "At Last" during her I Am... World Tour wearing a long gown.
"At Last" was included in the set list of Beyonc's third concert tour I Am... World Tour (20092010). It was performed in the penultimate section of the concert when Beyonc appeared on stage wearing a long gold sparkly gown with lights at her from all around the arena. During the performance, footage of her performing the song at Obama's inauguration, video images of civil rights era footage, and snippets from her performance of the song in the movie 'Cadillac Records' were all shown on the screens behind her. A writer of 'South Florida Times' praised the video montage saying that it was "beautifully" edited and added that Beyonc made a "perfect melding" of past and present with the performance of the song. 'Rolling Stone's Caryn Ganz commented that the performance of the song showed a "torchy... display of vocal gymnastics". Jay Lustig of New Jersey On-Line commented that the performances of "At Last" were "as riveting as anything that had come before" during the concert and noted that "Few pop or R&B divas could be as compelling with all the visual hoopla stripped away." Barbara Ellen of 'The Observer' wrote that there was an interesting segment during the performance of "At Last" on the tour. Alice Jones of 'The Independent' wrote that the live rendition of the song was one of the "big-hitters" during the night. A writer of 'Evening Chronicle' wrote that he was "blown away" by the performance while Mike Ross of the website Jam! added that Beyonc proved she could sing traditional R&B if she wanted with the cover of "At Last". Jay Hanna of 'The Sunday Times' described the performance of the song as truly inspired with Beyonc simply standing and delivering the song. Jim Farber of the 'Daily News' gave a mixed performance for the song, noting that "Her run at 'At Last' still lacks the terrific sense of relief Etta James manages effortlessly."
Beyonc also performed "At Last" live at the 2011 Glastonbury Festival on June 26, 2011. During the ITV special 'A Night With Beyonc' which aired on December 4, 2011 in the United Kingdom, Beyonc performed "At Last" to a selected crowd of fans. During The Sound of Change Live charity concert held at Twickenham Stadium in London on June 1, 2013, Beyonc also performed "At Last". Alice Vincent of 'The Daily Telegraph' noted that the cover reflected the event's purpose and proved Beyonc can "own a big ballad".
Chart performance
On the 'Billboard' Jazz Songs chart, Beyonce's "At Last" peaked at number 9, becoming her only song to ever appear on that chart. For the week ending December 17, 2011, Beyonc's version of "At Last" peaked at number 37 on the UK R&B Chart.
'Weekly charts'
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|-
!scope="col"|Chart (2008)
!scope="col"|Peak
position
|-
!scope="row"|Canadian Hot 100
|79
|-
|-
!scope="row"|UK R&B Chart
|37
|-
!scope="row"|U.S. 'Billboard' Hot 100
|67
|-
!scope="row"|U.S. 'Billboard' Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
|79
|-
!scope="row"|U.S. 'Billboard' Jazz Songs
|9
|}
'Year-end charts'
= Release history =
References
Category:1941 songs
Category:1960 singles
Category:2002 singles
Category:2003 singles
Category:2008 singles
Category:2012 singles
Category:Etta James songs
Category:Glenn Miller songs
Category:Nat King Cole songs
Category:Gene Watson songs
Category:Celine Dion songs
Category:Beyonc songs
Category:American songs
Category:United States National Recording Registry recordings
Category:Blues songs
Category:Songs with music by Harry Warren
Category:Songs with lyrics by Mack Gordon
Category:Grammy Hall of Fame Award recipients
Category:Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance
Category:Eva Cassidy songs
Category:Soul ballads
Category:Pop ballads
Category:Songs written for films
Category:RCA Records singles
Category:Argo Records singles
Category:Columbia Records singles
Category:Epic Records singles
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