At Last

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{{cite web |url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/40s/1942/Billboard%201942-08-01.pdf |title=The Billboard Music Popularity Chart |website=americanradiohistory.com |date=August 1, 1942 |page=22 |access-date=March 29, 2019 }} and peaked at number two on August 29, 1942.{{cite web |url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/40s/1942/Billboard%201942-08-29.pdf |title=The Billboard Music Popularity Chart |website=americanradiohistory.com |date=August 29, 1942 |page=20 |access-date=March 29, 2019 }} It spent a total of 17 weeks on the chart{{cite web |url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/40s/1942/Billboard%201942-11-21.pdf |title=The Billboard Music Popularity Chart |website=americanradiohistory.com |date=November 21, 1942 |page=24 |access-date=March 29, 2019 }} and later became a musical standard.

The personnel on the 1942 studio recording of "At Last": Ray Eberle (vocals),{{Cite web|last=Gilliland|first=John|date=1972|title=Pop Chronicles 1940s Program #7|url=https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1633237/m1/|access-date=March 24, 2021|website=UNT Digital Library|language=English}} 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 SerenadeRCA Victor LPT- 3064 and Orchestra WivesRCA 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.File:At Last V Disc No. 12 1943.jpg

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.{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/7930062-Glenn-Miller-And-His-Orchestra-At-Last-Moonlight-Mood|title=Glenn Miller And His Orchestra, Ray Eberle, Skip Nelson & The Modernaires – At Last / Moonlight Mood|website=Discogs.com|date=October 1943 |access-date=May 2, 2024}} V-Discs were sent to American soldiers and military personnel overseas.

{{clear}}

"At Last" has been recorded by many other artists since its original 1940's 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.{{cite web|url=http://tsort.info/music/bwpuux.htm|title=Song artist 659 – Ray Anthony|website=Tsort.info|access-date=July 26, 2016}} A recording by Gene Watson peaked at number 61 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart in 1991.{{cite book|title=Hot Country Songs 1944–2012|last=Whitburn|first=Joel|publisher=Record Research|year=2013|isbn=978-0-89820-203-8|page=360}}

In 2012, Christina Aguilera was invited by Etta James' family to sing "At Last" at James' funeral.{{cite web|url=http://people.com/celebrity/etta-james-funeral-christina-aguileras-tribute/|title=Christina Aguilera Pays Tribute to Etta James|access-date=January 24, 2018}} At the funeral, Aguilera stated that James was her idol and inspiration, and that in honour of James, she performs "At Last" at every concert.{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/entertainment/2012/01/etta-james-funeral-christina-aguilera-stevie-wonder-pay-tribute/|title=Etta James' Funeral: Christina Aguilera, Stevie Wonder Pay Tribute|website=ABC News |access-date=January 24, 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/28/etta-james-funeral-stevie-wonder-christina-aguilera-sing-at-last_n_1239133.html?ref=entertainment&ir=Entertainment&ref=entertainment|title=Etta James' Funeral: Stevie Wonder, Christina Aguilera Sing|website=HuffPost |date=January 31, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120131130656/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/28/etta-james-funeral-stevie-wonder-christina-aguilera-sing-at-last_n_1239133.html?ref=entertainment&ir=Entertainment&ref=entertainment|archive-date=January 31, 2012|url-status=dead|access-date=January 24, 2018}} Aguilera also recorded a studio version of the song, and it is registered with American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), but the cover remains unreleased.{{cite web|url=https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/search/title/At%20Last/performer/Aguilera?at=false&searchFilter=SVW&page=1|title=ASCAP ACE Repertory – At Last|publisher=American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240428114157/https://imgur.com/50kxjrf|archive-date=April 28, 2024|access-date=April 28, 2024}}

{{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 = {{Start date|1960|11|15}}

| recorded = 1960

| studio =

| genre = Rhythm and blues{{Cite podcast|url=https://slate.com/podcasts/hit-parade/2022/09/pop-chart-flops-can-turn-into-latter-day-classics|title=At Last, My Legacy Has Come Along Edition|website=Hit Parade {{!}} Music History and Music Trivia|publisher=Slate|last=Molanphy|first=Chris|date=September 16, 2022|access-date=April 12, 2024}}

| length = {{Duration|3:00}}

| 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 = {{External music video|{{YouTube|1qJU8G7gR_g|"At Last"}}|header=Audio video}}

}}

"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 At Last!. In April 1961, it became her second number two R&B hit single 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's recording also reached number 30 in Cashbox magazine.{{cite web|url=https://tropicalglen.com/Archives/60s_files/19610311.html|title=Cash Box Top 100 3/11/61|website=tropicalglen.com|access-date=April 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150602135826/http://tropicalglen.com/Archives/60s_files/19610311.html|archive-date=June 2, 2015|url-status=dead}}{{better source needed|reason=tropicalglen.com is self-published|date=November 2022}}

James's version, with its passionate vocal and sweeping orchestration, is often used for weddings and wedding receptions.{{cite news| url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/celebritology/post/etta-james-beyonce-and-the-at-last-legacy/2012/01/20/gIQAZ6JXEQ_blog.html | newspaper=The Washington Post | first=Jen | last=Chaney | title=Etta James, Beyonce and the 'At Last' legacy | date=January 20, 2012}}

After one of James's 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"),{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/flo-rida-and-avicii-remember-etta-james-246155/|title=Flo Rida and Avicii Remember Etta James|last=Hyman|first=Dan|date=January 24, 2012|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=April 18, 2019}} "At Last" charted in the United Kingdom for the first time at number 69. Following James's death in 2012, the song again rose in the charts and even reached the top 40.

In 2009, James's version was inducted to the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry.{{cite news |url=https://variety.com/2009/music/markets-festivals/etta-james-joins-registry-at-last-1118004742/ |title=Etta James Joins Registry 'At Last' |work=Variety |date=2009 |accessdate=April 17, 2022}}

In 2021, it was ranked at No. 115 on Rolling Stone's "Top 500 Greatest Songs of All Time".

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|artist=Etta James|title=At Last|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=1960|certyear=2023|id=12992|access-date=October 12, 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|type=single|title=At Last|artist=Etta James|award=Platinum|relyear=1960|certyear=2023|accessdate=November 12, 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry |region=Spain|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=1960|certyear=2024|title=At Last|artist=Etta James|accessdate=3 April 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Etta James|title=At Last|type=single|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2004|certyear=2025|access-date=June 4, 2025|id=10701-3236-1}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Etta James|title=At Last|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=1992|certyear=2005|digital=true|access-date=November 17, 2021}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|noshipments=true| streaming=true}}

{{clear}}

{{Infobox song

| name = At Last

| cover = Celine Dion - At Last promo.jpg

| alt =

| caption = Epic white label promo release

| type = promo

| artist = Celine Dion

| album = A New Day Has Come

| released = {{Start date|2002|11}}

| recorded =

| studio = {{hlist|Piccolo (Montreal)|Banana Boat (Burbank)}}

| genre =

• Pop
• soul

| length = 4:16

| label = Epic

| writer =

• Mack Gordon
• Harry Warren

| producer =

• Humberto Gatica
• Guy Roche

| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|OqYSXGK3Kdc|"At Last"}}|header=Audio video}}

}}

"At Last" was covered by Canadian singer Celine Dion and included on her eighteenth studio album, A New Day Has Come (2002). Dion's version was produced by Humberto Gatica and Guy Roche and released as a promotional single in the United States in November 2002.{{cite web|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Archive-RandR/2000s/2002/RR-2002-11-15.pdf|title=AC Most Added|work=Radio & Records|page=49|date=November 15, 2002|access-date=June 18, 2023}} There was no associated music video, and it was the last single released from A New Day Has Come.

In January 2003, "At Last" peaked at number 16 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart and number 13 on Radio & Records{{'}}s 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.

Dion's rendition was critically acclaimed. Frédéric 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'."{{cite news |last=Garat |first=Frédéric |date=April 3, 2002 |title=RFI Musique – - Celine Dion has come back |newspaper=RFI (France) |url=http://www.rfimusique.com/musiqueen/articles/060/article_6389.asp |url-status=dead |access-date=August 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131001023738/http://www.rfimusique.com/musiqueen/articles/060/article_6389.asp |archive-date=October 1, 2013}} Barnes & Noble's Editorial review commented, "Her solid rendition of Etta James's 'At Last' should satisfy her lovelorn fans."{{cite news|title=Barnes & Noble | A New Day Has Come by Sony, Celine Dion|url=http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-new-day-has-come-celine-dion/6253813#product-commentary-editorial-review-1|access-date=August 16, 2012|newspaper=Barnes & Noble}} Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine called it "a soulful rendition."{{cite news|last=Cinquemani|first=Sal|title=Celine Dion: A New Day Has Come | Music Review | Slant Magazine|url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/celine-dion-a-new-day-has-come/57|access-date=August 12, 2012|newspaper=Slant Magazine|date=March 16, 2002}}

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."{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/celinedion/albums/album/175170/review/6067726/a_new_day_has_come |title=Celine Dion: A New Day Has Come : Music Reviews |last=Sheffield |first=Rob |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=April 10, 2002 |access-date=July 2, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061105083240/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/celinedion/albums/album/175170/review/6067726/a_new_day_has_come |archive-date=November 5, 2006 |url-status=dead }} Ken Tucker of Entertainment Weekly agreed, calling it a "pallid cover".{{cite news|last=Tucker|first=Ken|title=A New Day Has Come (2002)|url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,219376,00.html|access-date=August 22, 2012|newspaper=Entertainment Weekly|date=March 25, 2002|archive-date=October 17, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017134957/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,219376,00.html|url-status=dead}}

{{Infobox song

| name = At Last

| cover = Beyonce - At Last (single).png

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Beyoncé

| album = Cadillac Records: Music from the Motion Picture

| released = {{Start date|2008|11|3}}

| recorded =

| studio =

| genre = Soul blues

| length = {{Duration|2:58}}

| 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 = {{External music video|{{YouTube|zWEhTwsE4Ss|"At Last"}}|header=Audio video}}

}}

"At Last" was also covered by Beyoncé 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, Beyoncé actually portrays Etta James. Beyoncé 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.{{cite web|last=Kaufman |first=Gil |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1604348/beyonce-slammed-by-etta-james-at-last.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110306000439/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1604348/beyonce-slammed-by-etta-james-at-last.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 6, 2011 |title=Beyoncé Slammed By Etta James For Singing 'At Last' At Inaugural Ball – Music, Celebrity, Artist News |publisher=MTV |date=February 5, 2009 |access-date=December 2, 2011}} 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{{nbsp}}... I actually spoke with her and she told me, 'I loved you from the first time you sung.'"{{cite web|last=Adler |first=Shawn |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1600243/beyonce-etta-james-attend-cadillac-records-premiere.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110304043248/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1600243/beyonce-etta-james-attend-cadillac-records-premiere.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 4, 2011 |title=Beyoncé, Etta James And 'Cadillac Records' Stars Come Out For Movie's Premiere – MTV Movie News |publisher=MTV |date=November 25, 2008 |access-date=December 2, 2011}} Beyoncé 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."{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1043534/beyonce-belts-it-out-on-cadillac-soundtrack |title=Beyoncé Belts It Out On 'Cadillac' Soundtrack |magazine=Billboard |date=December 1, 2008 |access-date=March 27, 2011}}

John Kehe of The Christian Science Monitor wrote: "No one can channel Etta – she's a singular talent – but Beyoncé does it her own way and conjurs enough emotion and grit to make it work in the context of the movie."{{cite web|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/Music/2008/1226/p16s01-almp.html |title=CD review: Cadillac Records (Music from the motion picture) |work=The Christian Science Monitor |publisher=Christian Science Publishing Society |author=John Kehe |date=December 26, 2008 |access-date=March 27, 2011}} A. O. Scott of The New York Times added that Beyoncé's interpretation of "At Last" was "downright revelatory" and described Beyoncé as "a real soul diva of the old school."{{cite news|url=https://movies.nytimes.com/2008/12/05/movies/05cadi.html |title=Cadillac Records (2008) |work=The New York Times |author=A. O. Scott |date=December 5, 2008 |access-date=March 27, 2011}} A writer of Entertainment Weekly wrote that "when she belts out 'At Last,' it all makes sense."{{cite magazine|url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20263540,00.html|title=Beyoncé & Co. in 'Cadillac Records'|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=March 6, 2009|access-date=June 27, 2013|archive-date=January 2, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100102231041/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20263540,00.html|url-status=dead}}

By contrast, Thom Jurek of Allmusic wrote that on "At Last",

{{blockquote|Beyoncé possesses little of the legendary singer's power or edgy finesse. She's entirely too polished and restrained. Her phrasing doesn't come close in terms of inventiveness or inspiration, and her emotional conviction is lacking, to say the least.{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/cadillac-records-r1448334/review |title=Cadillac Records |publisher=Allmusic. Rovi Corporation |author=Thom Jurek |date=December 2, 2008 |access-date=March 27, 2011}}}}

This was somewhat echoed by Robert Fontenot of About.com who thought that Beyoncé

{{blockquote|sings Etta like a diva{{snd}}technically proficient, but overemoted and lacking every bit of Etta's sly subtext and hard-won earthiness. Beyoncé knows how to sing the blues, in other words; she just doesn't know how to have them.{{cite web |url=http://oldies.about.com/od/buyersguides/gr/cadillacrecords.htm |title=Various Artists: Cadillac Records Original Movie Soundtrack |publisher=About.com The New York Times Company |author=Robert Fontenot |access-date=March 27, 2011 |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303182031/http://oldies.about.com/od/buyersguides/gr/cadillacrecords.htm |url-status=dead }}}}

Margeaux Watson of Entertainment Weekly also gave a mixed review for the song, writing,

{{blockquote|The only major drawback to her performance is that she lacks the pained vocal chops to convincingly pull off James's songs or make them her own... Each time she covers classics like "At Last" and "Trust in Me," you hear Beyoncé, not Etta.{{cite magazine|url=http://music-mix.ew.com/2008/11/25/first-look-beyo/|title=Beyoncé in 'Cadillac Records': the EW First Look|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|first=Margeaux|last=Watson|date=November 25, 2011|access-date=June 27, 2013}}}}

Beyoncé's version of "At Last" won the Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8490484.stm |title=Beyoncé is queen of Grammy Awards |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |date=February 1, 2010 |access-date=March 27, 2011}} On The Village Voice{{'}}s 2008 year-end Pazz & Jop singles list, Beyoncé's version of "At Last" was ranked at number 443.{{cite web|url=http://www.villagevoice.com/pazznjop/singles/2008/|title=New York Pazz and Jop Singles – 2008|work=The Village Voice|publisher=Village Voice Media|access-date=March 19, 2012|archive-date=October 16, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016184236/http://www.villagevoice.com/pazznjop/singles/2008/|url-status=dead}}

"At Last" was performed live for the first time by Beyoncé during the 2008 Fashion Rocks on September 5, 2008, as a tribute to James.{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/beyonce-knowles-flashes-wedding-ring-fashion-rocks-article-1.324357|title=Beyoncé Knowles flashes wedding ring at Fashion Rocks|work=Daily News|first=Korin|last=Miller|date=September 7, 2008|access-date=June 27, 2013}} The live version of the song at the show was later released in 2008. Beyoncé performed the song live at Barack Obama's first dance with his wife Michelle during the Neighbourhood 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 honoured and excited that they have asked me to be part of this moment in history."{{cite web|last=Vena |first=Jocelyn |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1602971/beyonces-inaugural-song-choice-expert-weighs.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605022403/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1602971/beyonces-inaugural-song-choice-expert-weighs.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 5, 2011 |title=Beyoncé's Inaugural Song Choice: An Expert Weighs In |publisher=MTV News. MTV Networks |date=January 16, 2009 |access-date=December 2, 2011}} Jen Chaney of The Washington Post wrote,

{{blockquote|she sang it, tearfully, another high-profile time. On that night, the song's expression of a romantic promise fulfilled clearly spoke to the hope that political promises would be fulfilled, not to mention the notion that, at last, an African-American had assumed this nation's highest honor.}}

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:

{{blockquote|You guys know your president, right? You know the one with the big ears? Wait a minute, he ain't my president. He might be yours; he ain't my president. But I tell you that woman he had singing for him, singing my song — she's going to get her ass whupped.{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2009/02/04/2009-02-04_etta_james_takes_shots_at_beyonc_and_pre.html |title=Etta James takes shots at Beyoncé and President Obama |publisher=Nydailynews.com |date=February 4, 2009 |access-date=December 2, 2011 |location=New York |first=Carrie |last=Melago}}{{cite news|author=Sean Michaels |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/feb/06/beyonce-etta-james-barack-obama |title=Etta James: I'm gonna whup Beyoncé's ass |newspaper=Guardian |date= February 6, 2009|access-date=December 2, 2011 |location=London}}}}

A week later, she continued savaging Beyoncé's performance by adding

{{blockquote|The great Beyoncé. Like I said, she ain't mine. [...] I can't stand Beyoncé. She has no business up there, singing up there on a big ol' president day, gonna be singing my song that I've been singing forever.}}

However, she later told the New York Daily News she meant no harm when poked fun at the president and she ripped Beyoncé 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.{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2009/02/05/2009-02-05_etta_james_truly_miffed_about_obama_snub.html |title=Etta James truly miffed about Obama snub, but was kidding about disliking Beyoncé |publisher=Nydailynews.com |date=February 5, 2009 |access-date=December 2, 2011 |location=New York |first=Carrie |last=Melago}} The event was telecast live on multiple broadcast and cable television networks. At each of the balls, the Obamas' dance song remained "At Last".

File:I Am... Tour 14.jpg" and "At Last" during her I Am... World Tour wearing a long gown.]]

"At Last" was included in the set list of Beyoncé's third concert tour I Am... World Tour (2009–2010). It was performed in the penultimate section of the concert when Beyoncé 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.{{cite news|last=Ratliff|first=Ben |title=Flash, Concepts and, Yes, Songs|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/23/arts/music/23beyonce.html |work=The New York Times|date=June 22, 2009|access-date=June 26, 2013}}{{cite web|last=Harris|first=Renee Michelle|title=Beyoncé Wows Crowd at BankAtlantic Center|url=http://www.sfltimes.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2977&Itemid=1 |work=South Florida Times|date=July 3, 2009|access-date=June 26, 2013}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/beyonce-brings-hits-jay-z-to-i-am-tour-opener-in-new-york-20090622|title=Beyoncé Brings Hits, Jay-Z to "I Am{{nbsp}}..." Tour opener in New York|access-date=June 26, 2013|date=June 22, 2009|first=Caryn|last=Ganz|magazine=Rolling Stone|archive-date=August 17, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120817000624/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/beyonce-brings-hits-jay-z-to-i-am-tour-opener-in-new-york-20090622|url-status=dead}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/review/268304/beyonce-june-21-2009-new-york-madison-square-garden|title=Beyoncé / New York (Madison Square Garden)|date=June 21, 2009|magazine=Billboard|access-date=June 26, 2013}} A writer of South Florida Times praised the video montage saying that it was "beautifully" edited and added that Beyoncé 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{{nbsp}}... 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."{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/entertainment/music/index.ssf/2009/06/beyonce_captivates_on_a_tour_f.html |title=Beyoncé captivates on a tour full of theatrics |publisher=New Jersey On-Line. Advance Internet |first=Jay |last=Lustig |date=June 22, 2009 |access-date=June 26, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224090054/http://www.nj.com/entertainment/music/index.ssf/2009/06/beyonce_captivates_on_a_tour_f.html |archive-date=December 24, 2013 |url-status=live }} Barbara Ellen of The Observer wrote that there was an interesting segment during the performance of "At Last" on the tour.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/may/24/beyonce|title=She's a woman of two halves|work=The Observer|first=Barbara|last=Ellen|date=May 24, 2009|access-date=June 26, 2013}} Alice Jones of The Independent wrote that the live rendition of the song was one of the "big-hitters" during the night.{{cite news|last=Jones|first=Alice |title=Beyoncé, 02 Arena, London:Diva who answers the call of booty |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/beyonc-02-arena-london-1691069.html |work=The Independent|date=May 27, 2009|access-date=May 23, 2009}} A writer of Evening Chronicle wrote that he was "blown away" by the performance{{cite news|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/review-beyonce-newcastle-metro-radio-1454916 |title=Review: Beyoncé at Newcastle Metro Radio Arena |work=Evening Chronicle |publisher=Trinity Mirror |date=May 23, 2009 |access-date=June 26, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402160046/http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/review-beyonce-newcastle-metro-radio-1454916 |archive-date=April 2, 2015 }} while Mike Ross of the website Jam! added that Beyoncé proved she could sing traditional R&B if she wanted with the cover of "At Last".{{cite web|title=Rexall Place, Edmonton|date=March 26, 2009|url=http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/B/Beyonce/ConcertReviews/2009/03/27/8904821-sun.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120709160850/http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/B/Beyonce/ConcertReviews/2009/03/27/8904821-sun.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 9, 2012|last=Ross|first=Mike|publisher=Jam!. Sun Media|access-date=June 26, 2013}} Jay Hanna of The Sunday Times described the performance of the song as truly inspired with Beyoncé simply standing and delivering the song.{{cite web|url=http://www.perthnow.com.au/entertainment/beyonce-knowles-wows-perth-fans-at-burswood-concert/story-e6frg3ic-1225779313174|title=Beyoncé Knowles wows Perth fans at Burswood concert|work=The Sunday Times|date=September 25, 2009|first=Jay|last=Hanna|access-date=June 26, 2013|archive-date=June 16, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616081529/http://www.perthnow.com.au/entertainment/beyonce-knowles-wows-perth-fans-at-burswood-concert/story-e6frg3ic-1225779313174|url-status=dead}} 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."{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music-arts/beyonce-shows-fierce-softer-sides-tour-kickoff-garden-article-1.376045|title=Beyoncé shows 'Fierce' and softer sides in tour kickoff at the Garden|work=Daily News|first=Jim|last=Farber|date=June 22, 2009|access-date=July 10, 2013}}

Beyoncé also performed "At Last" live at her historic headlining Glastonbury Festival Performance on June 26, 2011.{{cite news|url=https://www.nme.com/news/nme/57589|title=Beyoncé covers Kings of Leon and Prince at Glastonbury|work=NME|publisher=IPC Media (Time Inc.)|date=June 27, 2011|access-date=September 5, 2011}} During the ITV special A Night With Beyoncé which aired on December 4, 2011, in the United Kingdom, Beyoncé performed "At Last" to a selected crowd of fans.{{cite video|people=Beyoncé Knowles|date=December 4, 2011|title=A Night With Beyoncé|type = video ITV1|publisher=Victory Television Network in co-production with Sony Music Entertainment|location=The Fountain Studios, London|time=9pm}} During The Sound of Change Live charity concert held at Twickenham Stadium in London on June 1, 2013, Beyoncé also performed "At Last".{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/beyonce-leads-a-charge-of-powerful-women-at-sound-of-change-20130601|title=Beyoncé Leads a Charge of Powerful Women at Sound of Change|magazine=Rolling Stone|first=Mark|last=Sutherland|date=June 1, 2013|access-date=June 26, 2013}} Alice Vincent of The Daily Telegraph noted that the cover reflected the event's purpose and proved Beyoncé can "own a big ballad".{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopmusic/10092165/Beyonce-Sound-of-Change-Live-Twickenham-Stadium-review.html|title=Beyoncé, Sound of Change Live, Twickenham Stadium, review|work=The Daily Telegraph|first=Alice|last=Vincent|date=June 2, 2013|access-date=June 26, 2013}}

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, Beyoncé's version of "At Last" peaked at number 37 on the UK R&B Chart.

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Weekly charts

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
scope="col"|Chart (2008) !scope="col"|Peak position
scope="row"|Canadian Hot 100{{cite magazine|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=beyoncé|chart=all}} |title=At Last – Beyoncé |magazine=Billboard |access-date=April 5, 2012}} |79
scope="row"|UK R&B Chart{{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/r-and-b-singles-chart/20111211/114/ |title=R&B Singles Top 40 |access-date=September 18, 2011 |publisher=Official Charts Company}} |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{{cite magazine|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=beyoncé|chart=Jazz Songs}} |title=Beyoncé Album & Song Chart History |magazine=Billboard.com |access-date=December 2, 2011}} |9{{Cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/beyonce/chart-history/jsi/|title=Beyoncé|website=Billboard.com|access-date=May 25, 2021}}

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Year-end charts

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
scope="col"|Chart (2009) !scope="col"|Position
scope="row"|U.S. Billboard Smooth Jazz Songs{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/yearendcharts/2009/hot-smooth-jazz-songs|title=Top Smooth Jazz Songs – 2009 Year End Charts|magazine=Billboard|access-date=April 5, 2012|archive-date=July 30, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120730231023/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/yearendcharts/2009/hot-smooth-jazz-songs|url-status=dead}} |33

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{{reflist}}

{{Glenn Miller}}

{{Etta James}}

{{Gene Watson}}

{{Celine Dion songs}}

{{Beyoncé songs}}

{{Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Performance}}

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