Etta James: 'I Can't Stand Beyonce'

Access Hollywood - February 5, 2009 6:31 PM PST
Story photo: Etta James: 'I Can't Stand Beyonce'Etta James and Beyonce at the 'Cadillac Records' premiere in Hollywood (Nov. 2008)Getty ImagesAccess Hollywood

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- It's a feud that spans a generation -- music legend Etta James has put modern superstar Beyonce on blast for singing her signature song, "At Last," at the Neighborhood Inaugural Ball after Barack Obama's presidential inauguration.

"I tell you, that woman he has singing for him, singing my song, she gonna get her a** whipped," Etta told a crowd at a concert in Seattle on January 28. "I can't stand Beyonce, she had no business up there singing... my song that I've been singing forever."

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But it seems the feud is one-sided. Beyonce recently portrayed the older singer in the film "Cadillac Records," where she performed "At Last," among other songs - and the two had the chance to meet at the film's LA premiere, where Beyonce sang her predecessor's praises.

"I actually just got a chance to speak with Etta James ," Beyonce told Access Hollywood at the time. "She's a living legend and I want her to love the movie, and I hope she does."

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It's not the first time Beyonce has had a run-in with a soul icon. After she referred to Tina Turner as "the queen" at the 2008 Grammy Awards, Aretha Franklin - long known as the Queen of Soul - issued a statement that said, "I am not sure of whose toes I may have stepped on or whose ego I may have bruised between the Grammy writers and Beyonce... However, I dismissed it as a cheap shot for controversy."

As for "At Last" - while it may be Etta's trademark tune, the track was first performed by Glenn Miller and his orchestra in 1941 and later by Nat King Cole in 1957. Etta debuted her version in 1961.

The writers of the song are Mack Gordon and Henry Warren, who penned a number of '40s hits, including "Chattanooga Choo-Choo" (the first gold record ever with sales of 1,200,000), "You'll Never Know," "The More I See You" and "I've Got a Gal In Kalamazoo," all No. 1 singles.

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comments 1-10 of 475  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >|  hide comments · post a comment
  • Melissa
    wat ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!................
    report abuseposted September 29, 2009 5:55 PM PDT
  • Alissa
    etta said some mean stuff and the only thing is Beyonce s honoring her
    report abuseposted June 24, 2009 2:42 PM PDT
  • Alissa
    etta said some mean stuff and the only thing is Beyonce s honoring her
    report abuseposted June 24, 2009 2:42 PM PDT
  • eva
    No one will ever sing it like Ms. Etta. And this generation brings this stuff on themselves, not showing proper respect for The Greats who paved the way for them. Beyonce should have asked to sing it.
    report abuseposted June 21, 2009 10:34 AM PDT
  • angelkeke101
    she aint goona touch beyonce cuz she my homie
    report abuseposted April 19, 2009 1:47 AM PDT
  • Watch out Loretta James.... i dont care if its Etta cause Beyonce is awesome and you betta be watchin' yo back! i luv her song single ladies and diva and halo! ;)
    report abuseposted April 9, 2009 10:31 PM PDT
  • Matthyew Fritch
    cool
    report abuseposted March 9, 2009 7:00 AM PDT
  • Just A Fussin'
    Hey everybody I hope to see you there! HEY, LET'S EVERYBODY MEET UP IN NEW YORK'S TIMES SQUARE ON AUGUST 15, 2009 AT 12:00 NOON AND SING THE NOW RENOWN SONG "ATLAST". IT DOESN'T MATTER WHOSE VERSION YOU SING. JUST SHOW UP AND SING THE SONG. BEYONCE SINGERS ON ONE SIDE OF THE STREET AND ETTA ON THE OTHER. NOW SING: At last my love has come alon
    report abuseposted February 8, 2009 11:43 AM PST
  • The Cat
    R*E*S*P*E*C*T! OBAMA: Apologize to Ms. Etta and have them both over to the white house for some BBQ and blues but QUICK! Let Etta perform for everyone, esp "At Last", and broadcast it LIVE. BEYONCE: Shut up, hand over the microphone, sit down, LISTEN and LEARN. It's not too late but you need to sit a spell at the feet of the living greats a good long while before
    report abuseposted February 7, 2009 1:43 AM PST
  • Krzymama
    Beyonce did a fine job singing the song .I'm glad Beyonce is not dignifying this with a response.
    report abuseposted February 6, 2009 5:47 PM PST
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