Friday, February 6, 2009

Etta James vs. Beyonce

Etta James is taking on Beyonce. She is pretty upset (at least from the audio). I can't say that I blame her. I mean, if you are President Obama, shouldn't you get the original Etta James to sing for your first dance? The Beyonce version just came out and y'all (President and First Lady) grew up with the older version (and better version). Etta James may be mad that she wasn't consulted with the Beyonce pick to play her in Cadillac Records (although many didn't know she was still performing...or alive for that matter). "At Last" is a great song. I think I am still partial to the Etta James version, rather than the new Beyonce version (remember that recording technology has come a long way...). I actually have a better Etta James version of the song, but I couldn't find it online and I am too lazy to upload it...

Here's what I want to know. What do you think of her comments? Is Etta wrong for how she said what she said? Should Obama have gotten Etta to sing at his first dance with the First Lady? Should Beyonce have done something differently? I have no idea, but I like the feud...old black woman always speak their minds (which is a great thing).

4 comments:

Lexi~Breau said...

I didn't like her comments so much. She sounded bitter. From what I did hear though it sounded like one of those coversations you have with folks while you're clownin around and if someone gotta hold of them you would be and ass.

Theo said...

Yeah, but I think she had a point about the Obama thing. I mean, shouldn't he get the original artist (if still alive) to sing for him (no matter what song he chose)? I don't really fault Beyonce...although her head is getting big...figuratively speaking.

WnderBwoy said...

Are you kidding, T3FLON? Did you see what Ms. R.E.S.P.E.C.T. did to the other song??? It's time we allow those who still got it to still used it. She's hatin' on Beyonce because it wasn't as good as the original. Fine. But I can guarantee that she can't do it as well as she did originally either and probably not as well as Beyonce did it now. If you want a song to hit home, if you want a song to be most effective, you have to use the person who is best qualified to sing it at that time. I'm not saying it's better than Etta James' original. I'm saying it's probably one of the best we could do at this time.
And addressing her statements, Lexi's right. It just looked like she's a bitter old lady right now. And that never looks good on anyone.
Anyway, are you trying to tell me he should have picked "All you single ladies" if he wanted Beyonce to sing? Sorry, that just doesn't resonate with me.

Theo said...

All my single ladies doesn't resonate? ARE YOU SERIOUS??!?!?! That would have been the best song for the occasion. Ok...I am kidding.

Aretha wasn't that bad (at least, not at the actual inauguration). I think its funny when old people get all angry. Etta is bitter, but she still can say what she wants (it is her song). I somewhat agree with the "effectiveness" argument, but we would kinda bear with the old school artist making a few minor mistakes (and I don't think it would sound that bad...probably sound more authentic).

Beyonce could have even written a song specifically for that dance (or had someone write it).

I don't know. I agree with you guys...lol.