Posted on 02/05/2009 4:35:47 PM PST by LottieDah
Etta James truly miffed about Obama snub, but was kidding about disliking Beyonce BY Carrie Melago DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Updated Thursday, February 5th 2009, 6:37 PM
Etta James and Beyonce at the premiere of "Cadillac Records." Related News Articles Etta James takes shots at Beyoncé and President Obama Beyonce sings 'At Last' for Obamas first presidential dance Etta James classic sung by Beyonce is smash hit at President Obama's ball Singer Etta James says she was only trying to get a laugh when she said she "can't stand" Beyonce and made fun of President Obama's ears during a concert in Seattle.
James told the Daily News Thursday that she meant no harm when she poked fun at the president and ripped Beyonce for her performance of James' hit "At Last" during the inauguration.
"I didn't really mean anything," James said. "Even as a little child, I've always had that comedian kind of attitude. ...That's probably what went into it."
Still, James acknowledged being miffed that she wasn't invited to perform her signature song for Obama's first dance with his wife on inauguration night.
James was "feeling left out of something that was basically mine, that I had done every time you look around," she said.
And while she said she liked Beyonce's performance, when asked if she thought she could have done better, James answered, "I think so. That's a shame to say that."
James made the controversial comments before performing the song at a concert in Seattle last week. She began by saying of Obama, "You know your President, right? You know the one with the big ears?"
She went on to say about Beyonce, "I tell you that woman he had singing for him, singing my song, she gonna get her ass whupped."
Thursday, James said she kept the insults rolling only because the crowd was laughing so hard, a reaction that can be heard on a recording.
"Nobody was getting mad at me in Seattle," she said. "They were all laughing, and it was funny."
She said the jokes were "not from a vicious place."
James pointed out that she posed for a picture and spoke with Beyonce last year before the premiere of "Cadillac Records," in which the young singer portrays the 71-year-old legend.
As for Obama, James said she "always thought he was handsome and he was cool."
"I still had my joke about him," she said. "That might be horrible. The president might not ever like me in life."
She questioned how upset Obama could possibly
Etta is 71...who knew? She looks great. She was dissed (big time) by the Immaculation plannerz (Beyonce sang during the afternoon as well...why does she get a twofer?). If they wanted ‘At Last’ they should have had Ms. James do it. And, being 71...James can get away w/being a Diva!
True...Posts on the NY Daily News website this morning were truly brutal to Ms. James. They were calling her a jealous, dried up hag, a brain addled junkie...I think they were annoyed that she said Zero had big ears.
.
Etta James is a legion. Beyonce cannot hold a candle to her.
I don’t blame her one bit for being angry that Beyonce was chosen to sing HER song at the inauguration. She is one of the greatest of all time of the blues singers, and her song ‘At Last’is one of the greatest of all songs.
Those not familiar with Etta James;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fSY_S45rZ4&feature=related
.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_HKRyv_9B8 The late great Eva Cassidy puts her smooth voice into this like no other.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.