music-video 62 years ago
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Etta James | Something's Got A Hold On Me | Live (1962)

"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.


"Something's Got a Hold on Me" has been covered and sampled by various contemporary artists. Pretty Lights sampled the song on his 2006 album Taking Up Your Precious Time. In 2010, American singer-songwriter Christina Aguilera recorded a cover version of the song on the soundtrack Burlesque.


In 2011, the track was sampled on two hits: "Levels" by Swedish DJ Avicii, which in turn was sampled on "Good Feeling" by American rapper Flo Rida. Australian recording artist 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.

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