Etta James Has Some Fightin’ Words for Beyonce

Famed blues and jazz singer Etta James would like the world to know that she, not Beyonce, is the “irreplaceable” one when it comes to performing her greatest hit, “At Last.”

Famed blues and jazz singer Etta James would like the world to know that she, not Beyonce, is the “irreplaceable” one when it comes to performing her greatest hit, “At Last. Following Beyonce’s performance of the song at Barack Obama’s inaugural ball, James took the opportunity at a Seattle performance to unleash on the R&B/pop superstar for “singing [her] song that [she’s] been singing forever.”

James went on to tell the audience that she “can’t stand Beyonce” (who ironically portrayed James in the recent film, Cadillac Records) and that their president, “the one with the big ears,” made a grave mistake in allowing Beyonce to perform the song. At the height of her rant, the vengeful vixen of soul announced that Beyonce was “going to get her (for all you crossword fans, what’s a three-letter word for hindquarters?) whooped.”

Both the Obamas and Beyonce, neither of whom have released an official statement on the matter, were said to be shocked by James’ outbursts. ”It never crossed anyone’s mind that there was anything inappropriate about Beyonce singing that song,” a White House insider said Thursday. ”First of all, the message of the song was so perfect. Beyonce sang it in the [‘Cadillac Records’] film, and I don’t think the people organizing that event even knew Etta was still performing. … I’m sure some of the younger people involved didn’t even know she is still alive!”

Another tidbit to keep in mind, one that James herself perhaps forgot, is that her version of “At Last” is also a cover-the song, written by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren, was first recorded by Ray Eberle and Pat Friday.

James’ family defended the singer, saying that her caustic comments may have been the result of over-medication, and that she has “nothing but love for both Ms. Knowles and President Obama.”