At Last/Lou Rawls and Dianne Reeves

"At Last" is a 1941 song written by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren for the musical film Orchestra Wives, starring George Montgomery and Ann Rutherford. It was first performed in the film and on record by Glenn Miller and his orchestra, vocal by Ray Eberle and Pat Friday, although unreleased recordings of the song were made in 1941 for possible inclusion in the film Sun Valley Serenade. It was recorded in Chicago on May 20, 1942 and released by RCA Victor Records as catalogue number 27934. According to the tsort.info website (http://tsort.info/music/jkgsu0.htm), the song was a major hit for Miller, reaching number 9 on the Billboard pop charts in 1942, staying on the charts for 9 weeks, and it soon became a standard. Nat King Cole recorded it in 1957 on his number one album Love Is the Thing. In 1960, it was covered by blues singer Etta James in a performance that improvised on Warren's melody. James' version was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999.

The song was a favorite of Warren's and he would occasionally draw the melody of the first two bars of the song when signing an autograph.

The song became James's signature song and was the third in a string of successful songs from her Chess Records debut album At Last!. In April 1961, it became her second number 2 R&B hit and crossed over to pop radio, reaching number 47 on the Billboard Hot 100. Despite its rather low pop chart standing, the song is well-known and is still played regularly on oldies radio stations.

In the decades since its release it has been covered by a number of artists. The Etta James version is perhaps the most famous, and is known to be performed at weddings and wedding receptions because of its romantic lyrics and sweeping orchestration.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• pop
• blues
• soul
• vocal
• Mack
• Gordon
• Harry
• Warren
• Lou
• Rawls
• Dianne
• Reeves

[kasiczka19]

I LOVE THIS SONG !!!!

[Rey05191957]

Glad you enjoyed this post.

[rlcope45]

Thank you, young person. I could not have had a more pleasant gift than this song on this day from you (a complete stranger).

[Rey05191957]

I'm so happy you enjoyed this post. Thank you for watching and for your comment.

[jrexxier]

heard this from while watching boston legal again. i love this version ;) thanks!

[Rey05191957]

Thank you for your comment. I appreciate it.



[anthonyhollis100]

I love this song, and particularly the way in which the two voices blend. By far and away the best version in my view. Thanks for the informative notes - I thInk I saw the film when it was first released!!!!!

[ian3150]

we played this song on our wedding what a beautiful song...And now we are together for she are mine AT LAST

[MagMartinMintal]

I like this version most.

[Rey05191957]

Thank you Aless. i appreciate it.

Rey

[Rey05191957]

Thank you Princess. So happy you enjoyed this one.

Rey

[floridakisses3]

hey rey very nice  hugs xx

[violetprincess100]

This is wonderful Rey! Sending you a load of stars and both thumbs are definitely up! *****

[Rey05191957]

Glad you enjoyed this Vicki :)

[thecandykissme]

Thanks Rey! Thumbs up! ^_~

[countrychloe]

@Rey05191957 You're very welcome Rey. :)

[Rey05191957]

Hi Mick -

Thank you. I appreciate it very much. Thanks for the stars, thumbs up and fave.

Rey

[Rey05191957]

Hi Vicki -

Thank you for your lovely comment.

Hugs,

Rey

[Rey05191957]

Thank you Ken. Glad you enjoyed this.

[OnlyFifties]

Super smooth,totally classy performance from both singers here Rey and a great video too,has to be a fave for me with all the stars and both thumbs well up !!

[countrychloe]

Simply beautiful. :)

Thumbs up!

[SIRONEDRAGON]

cool song with cool voices .Thanks Rey !

[Rey05191957]

Thank you Mark.

[elvidinck]

Classy!

[Rey05191957]

Hi Glenn -

Thank you so much for your wonderful comment. I greatly appreciate it and all of your support. Thanks for the stars and for adding this to your faves.

Rey