Something's Got a Hold on Me
{{Short description|1962 single by Etta James}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Something's Got a Hold on Me
| image = Something's Got a Hold on Me by Etta James US single.png
| alt =
| caption = One of side-A labels of the US single
| type = single
| artist = Etta James
| album = Etta James
| B-side = Waiting for Charlie to Come Home
| released = 1962
| recorded =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = {{flatlist|
}}
| length = {{duration|m=2|s=48}}
| label = Argo
| writer = {{flatlist|
- Etta James
- Leroy Kirkland
- Pearl Woods
}}
| producer = {{flatlist|
}}
| prev_title = Seven Day Fool
| prev_year = 1961
| next_title = Stop the Wedding
| next_year = 1962
| misc = {{External music video|header=Live video|{{YouTube|OueyaMoUUt4|"Something's Got a Hold on Me"}}}}
}}
"Something's Got a Hold on Me" is a song by American singer Etta James. The song was written by James, Leroy Kirkland and Pearl Woods, while production was handled by Leonard and Phil Chess. It was released in 1962 as the third single from her 1962 self-titled album as a 7" vinyl disc. Musically, "Something's Got a Hold on Me" is an R&B track with elements of soul, blues and gospel. Upon its release, the single was an R&B hit, peaking at number four on the Billboard Hot R&B Sides chart.{{cite book |title= Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004|last=Whitburn |first=Joel |author-link=Joel Whitburn |year=2004 |publisher=Record Research |page=290}}
"Something's Got a Hold on Me" has been covered and sampled by various contemporary artists. Australian singer Jessica Mauboy also covered "Something's Got a Hold on Me" in 2013 and released it as a single. The song plays in the opening scene of the Best Picture winning film CODA.
Background and composition
File:Etta James04.JPG and Pearl Woods.]]
"Something's Got a Hold on Me" was written by Etta James, Leroy Kirkland and Pearl Woods, while it was produced by two founders of the Chess Records, Leonard and Phil Chess.{{cite AV media notes|title=Etta James|title-link=Etta James (1962 album)|others=Etta James|year=1962|first=Etta |last=James|author-link=Etta James|type=Liner notes|publisher=Argo Records}} The song was released as the third single from James' 1962 self-titled studio album. It was served as a 7" vinyl disc with the other song, "Waiting for Charlie to Come Home", as the B-side in the United States.{{cite AV media notes|others=Etta James |date=1962 |title=Something's Got a Hold on Me|type=US single, 7"|publisher=Argo Records|location=United States}} Later, the track was included on the singer's 1963 compilation album Etta James Top Ten.{{cite AV media notes|title=Etta James Top Ten|others=Etta James|year=1963|first=Etta|last=James|type=Liner notes|publisher=Argo Records}} The live version of "Something's Got a Hold on Me" also appeared on Etta James' first live album, Etta James Rocks the House (1964).{{cite AV media notes|title=Etta James Rocks the House|others=Etta James|year=1964|first=Etta|last=James|type=Liner notes|publisher=Argo Records}} In 1992, the song was a part of her greatest hits album, My Greatest Songs.{{cite AV media notes|title=My Greatest Songs|others=Etta James|year=1992|first=Etta|last=James|type=Liner notes|publisher=MCA Records}}
"Something's Got a Hold on Me" is an R&B track{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/etta-james/biography|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120124121135/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/etta-james/biography|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 24, 2012|title=Etta James – Biography|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=May 30, 2013}} with elements of soul, blues, and gospel.{{cite web|url=http://www.biography.com/people/etta-james-9542558|title=Etta James Biography|work=Biography.com|access-date=May 30, 2013}} The song lasts for a duration of {{duration|m=2|s=48}} (two minutes and 48 seconds). According to the sheet music published by EMI Music Publishing, "Something's Got a Hold on Me" was composed in the key of D{{flat}} major.{{cite web|url=http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtdFPE.asp?ppn=MN0067032&|title=Etta James – Something's Got a Hold on Me – Sheet Music|work=Musicnotes.com|date=5 August 2008 |publisher=EMI Music Publishing|access-date=May 30, 2013}} James' vocals in the song span on nearly two octaves, from the low-note of E3 to the high-note of D{{flat}}5.
Live performances
On September 27, 1963, Etta James first performed "Something's Got a Hold on Me" at the New Era Club in Nashville, Tennessee; later the performance was recorded and was included on her first live album Etta James Rocks the House. During a "King-led all-star concert" which was held at the Ebony Theater, Los Angeles, California in 1987, James performed the song again with American blues musician B.B. King.{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/entertainment/music/index.ssf/2011/05/song_of_the_day_somethings_got.html|title=Song of the Day: 'Something's Got a Hold on Me', Etta James and B.B. King|work=New Jersey On-Line|first=Jay|last=Lustig|date=May 26, 2011|access-date=June 1, 2013}} There, the singer sang the track with backing guitar played by King. That performance was released as a CD and home video entitled "A Night of Blistering Blues".
Track listing
Reception
Jay Lustig of New Jersey On-Line called "Something's Got a Hold on Me" a "scintillating" track. Upon its release, "Something's Got a Hold on Me" was an R&B hit, peaking at number four on the Hot R&B Sides chart, a music chart which was published by American music magazine Billboard and now is the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The single also charted on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at number 37.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/1099318/etta-james-sales-jump-378-in-days-after-her-death|title=Etta James Sales Jump 378% in Days After Her Death|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|first=Keith|last=Caulfield|date=January 25, 2012|access-date=June 1, 2013}}
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |
| scope="col"|Charts (1962–1963)
!scope="col"|Peak |
|---|
| scope="row"|US Billboard Hot 100
|align="center"|37 |
| scope="row"|US Hot R&B Sides (Billboard)
|align="center"|4 |
Cover versions and samples
"Something's Got a Hold on Me" has been covered on numerous occasions. In 1973, it was covered by the choir of the infamous People's Temple cult under Jim Jones.{{cite magazine |last1=Chiu |first1=David |title='He's Able': Inside the Jonestown Cult's Forgotten Gospel Album |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/jonestown-jim-jones-peoples-temple-choir-gospel-album-746873/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=16 November 2018 |publisher=Penske Media Corporation |access-date=16 October 2024}} The song also appears on the Belgian band Vaya Con Dios' second studio album, Night Owls, released in 1990. The album achieved great international success, selling around 2 million copies worldwide. On March 30, 2004, Natalie Cole performed "Something's Got a Hold on Me" at the Apollo Theater in New York City.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/30/arts/heat-and-light-uptown-benefit-salutes-the-apollo-with-songs-and-goose-bumps.html|title=Heat and Light Uptown - Benefit Salutes the Apollo with Songs and Goose Bumps|work=The New York Times|first=Bruce|last=Weber|date=March 30, 2004|access-date=June 1, 2013}} In 2010, American singer-songwriter Christina Aguilera also covered it for the soundtrack album Burlesque.{{cite AV media notes|title=Burlesque|title-link=Burlesque (soundtrack)|others=Christina Aguilera|year=2010|type=Liner notes|publisher=RCA Records}} The version by Aguilera met with favorable reviews from critics; a writer from Blogcritics wrote that "[the song] really digs in and makes them show stoppers" and "[it] suits her voice perfectly",{{cite web|url=http://blogcritics.org/music-review-burlesque-original-motion-picture/|title=Music Review: Burlesque – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack|work=Blogcritics|date=December 13, 2010|access-date=June 2, 2013}} while Stephen Thomas Erlewine from Allmusic picked "Something's Got a Hold on Me" as one of the three best songs from the soundtrack.{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/burlesque-mw0002058722|title=Burlesque – Original Soundtrack – Review|work=Allmusic|publisher=Rovi Corporation|first=Stephen|last=Thomas Erlewine|author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine|date=November 22, 2010|access-date=June 2, 2013}} Jools Holland, with Paloma Faith, recorded a version for his 2012 album, The Golden Age of Song. Australian R&B singer Jessica Mauboy recorded a cover version of the track and released it as a single exclusively in Australia in 2013.
Blues vocalist Beth Hart and guitarist Joe Bonamassa included the track on their 2011 album of blues and soul covers, Don't Explain.{{cite web|url=https://bluesrockreview.com/2011/09/beth-hartjoe-bonamassa-dont-explain-review.html|title= Beth Hart & Joe Bonamassa: Don't Explain Review; Review|work=Blues Rock Review|first=Pete|last=Francis|author-link= |date= September 2, 2011|access-date= August 31, 2022}} They also released a live version recorded at the Royal Theater Carré in 2013 on their Live in Amsterdam DVD.{{cite web|url=https://bluesrockreview.com/2014/03/beth-hart-joe-bonamassa-live-in-amsterdam-review.html|title= Beth Hart & Joe Bonamassa: Live In Amsterdam Review; Review|work=Blues Rock Review|first=George|last=Ward|author-link= |date= March 18, 2014|access-date= August 31, 2022}}
Doi-Oing was the first artist to sample "Something's Got a Hold on Me" in his 1991 song "Good Feeling".{{cite AV media notes|others=Doi-Oing |date=1991 |title=Good Feeling|type=Single|publisher=Northern Exposure}} In 2006, electronic music artist Pretty Lights sampled the song again in his track "Finally Moving" from the album Taking Up Your Precious Time.{{cite AV media notes|title=Taking Up Your Precious Time|title-link=Taking Up Your Precious Time|others=Pretty Lights|year=2006|type=Liner notes|publisher=Pretty Lights Music}} In 2011, two smash hits sampled "Something's Got a Hold on Me": "Levels" by Swedish DJ Avicii and Flo Rida's "Good Feeling".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/flo-rida-and-avicii-remember-etta-james-20120124|title=Flo Rida and Avicii Remember Etta James|first=Dan|last=Hyman|date=January 24, 2012|access-date=June 2, 2013|magazine=Rolling Stone}}
=Jessica Mauboy version=
{{Infobox song
| name = Something's Got a Hold on Me
| type = single
| artist = Jessica Mauboy
| album =
| released = {{start date|2013|02|27|}}
| recorded =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = {{flatlist|
}}
| length = {{duration|m=3|s=26}}
| label = Sony
| writer = {{flatlist|
- Etta James
- Leroy Kirkland
- Pearl Woods
}}
| producer =
| prev_title = Gotcha
| prev_year = 2012
| next_title = To the End of the Earth
| next_year = 2013
}}
File:Jessica Mauboy 2012.jpg.]]
"Something's Got a Hold on Me" was covered by Australian R&B singer Jessica Mauboy. It was released as a digital download single on 27 February 2013.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/au/album/somethings-got-a-hold-on-me/606747458?i=606747867|title=Music – Something's Got a Hold on Me – Single by Jessica Mauboy|work=iTunes Store (Australia)|date=27 February 2013 |publisher=Apple|access-date=15 March 2013}}
==Reception==
"Something's Got a Hold on Me" by Jessica Mauboy received mainly positive reviews from music critics. Brad Stern of MTV Buzzworthy Brad Stern called Mauboy's version a "power-pop anthem".{{cite web|last=Stern|first=Brad|url=http://buzzworthy.mtv.com/2013/03/06/jessica-mauboy-misha-b-amelia-lily/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130310045054/http://buzzworthy.mtv.com/2013/03/06/jessica-mauboy-misha-b-amelia-lily|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 March 2013|title=Jessica Mauboy, Misha B, Amelia Lilly + More: 5 Must Hear Pop Songs of the Week|work=MTV Buzzworthy|publisher=MTV. Viacom|date=6 March 2013|access-date=March 15, 2013}} Daisy Dumas of The Age was positive toward the track, noted it as a "sassy, pop-heavy spin on the Etta James classic".{{cite news|last=Dumas|first=Daisy|url=http://www.theage.com.au/lifestyle/private-sydney/the-company-they-keep-20130301-2fc1s.html|title=The company they keep|work=The Age|publisher=Fairfax Media|date=March 2, 2013|access-date=March 15, 2013}} Simone Ubaldi of Beat magazine described the cover as "grotesque dance pop bastardisation",{{cite news|last=Ubaldi|first=Simone|url=http://www.beat.com.au/music/jessica-mauboy-somethings-got-hold-me|title=Jessica Mauboy: Something's Got a Hold on Me|work=Beat|publisher=Furst Media|date=February 2013|access-date=15 March 2013}} while a writer for radio station 96.5 Wave FM thought that it sounds impressive.{{cite web|url=http://www.wavefm.com.au/index.php/shows/the-hot-breakfast-crew/29049-is-the-nrl-on-a-winner-with-jessica-mauboy-see-the-2013-nrl-theme-song-here|title=Is the NRL on a winner with Jessica Mauboy?|work=96.5 Wave FM|publisher=Grant Broadcasters Network|date=February 28, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928012450/http://www.wavefm.com.au/index.php/shows/the-hot-breakfast-crew/29049-is-the-nrl-on-a-winner-with-jessica-mauboy-see-the-2013-nrl-theme-song-here|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 28, 2013}} A writer for Take 40 Australia called it energetic,{{cite web|url=http://www.take40.com/news/38122/listen:-jessica-mauboy-releases-nrl-theme-song-'something's-got-a-hold-on-me'|title=Jessica Mauboy Releases NRL Theme Song 'Something's Got a Hold on Me'|publisher=Take 40 Australia. MCM Entertainment|date=27 February 2013|access-date=15 March 2013}} while Fox Sports' Anthony Costa wrote that the song does not feel like "a potential rugby league anthem" but "it suits Mauboy's vocal talents".{{cite web|last=Costa|first=Anthony|url=http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/branding-expert-says-nrl-tv-campaign-simply-the-best-since-tina/story-e6frfkp9-1226587163686|title=Branding expert says NRL TV campaign simply the best since Tina|work=Fox Sports (Australia)|publisher=News Limited|date=27 February 2013|access-date=15 March 2013}} "Something's Got a Hold on Me" won Single Release of the Year at the 2013 Deadly Awards.{{cite web|url=http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2013/09/11/deadly-awards-list-winners|title=Deadly Awards: List of winners|publisher=SBS|date=11 September 2013|access-date=12 September 2013}} The song entered the Australian ARIA Singles Chart at number 26 on March 11, 2013.{{cite web|url=http://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Jessica+Mauboy&titel=Something%27s+Got+A+Hold+On+Me&cat=s|title=Jessica Mauboy – Something's Got a Hold on Me|work=ARIA Charts|publisher=Hung Medien|access-date=15 March 2013}} The following week, it fell down to number 50.
==Promotion==
On 27 February 2013, the Australian Rugby League Commission released a television advertisement, which features Mauboy singing her version of "Something's Got a Hold on Me", as well as highlights from previous rugby league matches and fans playing rugby league in backyards, on beaches and running down streets.{{cite news|last=Proszenko|first=Adrian|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/mauboy-gets-hold-of-some-soul-for-new-league-theme-20130223-2ey3t.html|title=Mauboy gets hold of some soul for new league theme|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|publisher=Fairfax Media|date=23 February 2013|access-date=15 March 2013}}{{cite news|last=Otto|first=Tyson|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/australian-rugby-league-commission-launches-new-advertsising-campaign-featuring-jessica-mauboy/story-e6frexnr-1226586702649|title=Jessica Mauboy stars in new NRL advertising campaign|work=The Daily Telegraph|publisher=News Limited|date=27 February 2013|access-date=15 March 2013}}{{cite news|url=http://www.portnews.com.au/story/1329776/jessica-mauboy-the-voice-behind-the-nrl-ad/|title=Jessica Mauboy, the voice behind the NRL ad|work=Port Macquarie News|publisher=Fairfax Media|date=27 February 2013|access-date=15 March 2013}} That same day, Mauboy performed the song during the official launch for the 2013 NRL season, held at The Star Casino in Sydney.{{cite news|last2=Read|first2=Brent|last1=Honeysett|first1=Stuart|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/nrl/ceo-dave-smith-gaffes-again-as-jessica-mauboy-rescues-launch/story-fnca0von-1226587191127|title=Name and shame: CEO Dave Smith gaffes again as Jessica Mauboy rescues launch|work=The Australian|publisher=News Limited|date=28 February 2013|access-date=15 March 2013}} NRL director of marketing and commercial operations Paul Kind said her version "is very contemporary" and "has a really broad appeal".{{cite news|last=Hooper|first=James|url=http://www.news.com.au/national-news/nsw-act/mauboy-lends-league-a-touch-of-soul/story-fndo4bst-1226584240066|title=Mauboy lends league a touch of soul|work=The Sunday Telegraph|publisher=News Limited|date=24 February 2013|access-date=15 March 2013}} Mauboy is the second female artist (the first being Tina Turner) to be featured in a NRL theme song.{{cite web|url=http://www.nrl.com/rugby-league-has-a-hold-on-me/tabid/10874/newsid/70883/default.aspx|title=Rugby League has a hold on me|publisher=NRL.com|date=27 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130302042139/http://www.nrl.com/rugby-league-has-a-hold-on-me/tabid/10874/newsid/70883/default.aspx|url-status=live|archive-date=2 March 2013}} "Something's Got a Hold on Me" is also the first theme song in major Australian sport to feature an Indigenous Australian artist.
==Charts==
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |
| scope="col"| Chart (2013)
!scope="col"| Peak |
|---|
| scope="row"| Australian Singles Chart
|style="text-align:center;"|26 |
{{Clear}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{YouTube|TZFQgqhNoEI|"Christina Aguilera - Something's Got a Hold On Me (Burlesque) (Official Video)"}}
{{Etta James}}{{Ike & Tina Turner}}{{Christina Aguilera songs}}
{{Jessica Mauboy}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Christina Aguilera songs