Sabrina Carpenter Named the Song That Taught Her ‘the Power of a Voice’
One of the best things you can do if you want to learn about a singer is to read about their introduction to music. For example, Sabrina Carpenter revealed a lot when she discussed one of the first songs she learned. Notably, the song is so much more famous than the musical that inspired it.
Sabrina Carpenter loves a song from a forgotten musical
“At Last” is a love song that first appeared in the cute but mostly forgotten 1940s musical film Sun Valley Serenade. The tune is a lot better than the film itself. Modern audiences are probably most familiar with “At Last” through Etta James’ soulful cover of the song, which has appeared in many movies and commercials. The tune still resonates because it manages to be loving and sensual at the same time.
During a 2018 interview with Teen Vogue, Carpenter discussed her reaction to James’ version of “At Last.” “I think it was probably the first or second song that I ever learned and sang, and this was kind of like that song that really made me appreciate soul and the power of a voice,” she said. Considering Carpenter’s voice is gorgeous, that was an important moment in her life!
Sabrina Carpenter said the song opened doors for her
Carpenter described the long-term effect that “At Last” had on her. “I think this song kind of led me down a path of being open to all kinds of music later in my life because I wasn’t forced to like one thing as a kid,” she said. “It wasn’t like, ‘Oh, you’re a kid, so you listen to pop music or you listen to these kinds.’ This was one of the first songs I ever learned.”
During a 2019 interview with Refinery29, Carpenter was asked why she had such a soulful voice. She first replied that her mother was from Philadelphia. Then, she emphasized that she was a big fan of James and Whitney Houston. If you want to become a great singer, listening to those two queens is a good place to start! Carpenter is a great singer, so she should probably record “At Last” or “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)” at some point. That would at least give the press something to discuss.
How Etta James’ ‘At Last’ lost the battle and won the war
James’ “At Last” wasn’t much of a hit, barely missing the top 40. The tune charted at No. 47 on the Billboard Hot 100, lasting on the chart for eight weeks. The cover appeared on the album At Last! That record reached No. 96 on the Billboard 200 and lasted on the chart for five weeks.
Of course, charts aren’t everything. Some of the most beloved songs by The Beatles, Elvis Presley, and The Rolling Stones didn’t reach the top 40 if they charted at all. Regardless of its initial sales, “At Last” has stood the test of time. The tune has been covered by other icons such as Beyoncé, Celine Dion, and Cyndi Lauper. “At Last” will outlast all of us, and that’s partly a testament to James’ incredible voice.
James made one of the best records of all time when she recorded “At Last” and she is still inspiring Carpenter and other singers today.
