Honestly, if you haven’t revisited the Cadillac Records soundtrack lately, you’re basically missing out on the moment Beyoncé truly found her "growl." We all know the polished, world-conquering Queen Bey of today. But back in 2008, she stepped into the shoes of the legendary Etta James, and something shifted. It wasn't just another acting gig; it was a vocal transformation that forced her to abandon the pop perfection of her Destiny’s Child roots and get messy.
She didn't just sing the songs. She inhaled them.
The songs Beyonce sang in Cadillac Records are more than just covers. They are a raw, often heartbreaking tribute to a woman who lived a life of extreme highs and terrifying lows. Beyoncé famously gained about 20 pounds for the role, but the weight she added to her voice was the real story. She had to trade her crystalline riffs for the gravelly, whiskey-soaked grit of the Chess Records era.
The Definitive Tracklist: What She Actually Performed
While the movie is packed with blues classics from the likes of Muddy Waters and Chuck Berry, Beyoncé (as Etta) anchors the emotional arc of the second half. If you're looking for the specific list of songs she recorded for the film and the official soundtrack, here is the breakdown:
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- At Last – The big one. The wedding staple. Beyoncé’s version eventually won a Grammy for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance.
- I’d Rather Go Blind – Many critics argue this is her best vocal performance ever. Period.
- All I Could Do Was Cry – A searing ballad about watching the person you love marry someone else.
- Trust in Me – A sultry, mid-tempo track that shows off Etta’s jazzier influences.
- Once in a Lifetime – This was an original song written specifically for the movie.
Most people forget that "Once in a Lifetime" was actually nominated for a Golden Globe and a Grammy. It was co-written by Beyoncé along with Amanda Ghost and Scott McFarnon. It’s the only song in her Cadillac Records repertoire that wasn't originally an Etta James track, but it fits the 1960s soul aesthetic so perfectly you'd hardly know.
The Power of "I’d Rather Go Blind"
There is a specific scene in the movie where Beyoncé’s Etta James is in the recording booth, high and hurting, pouring every ounce of rejection into the microphone. That’s "I’d Rather Go Blind."
You've gotta hear the way she cracks her voice on the high notes. It’s intentional. It’s ugly. It’s beautiful. Real Etta James fans were skeptical when the casting was announced—Etta herself had some choice words later on—but once the film dropped, the talent was undeniable. Beyoncé captured the "cut and pain" that blues experts like Karen M. Wilson have noted as the signature of the genre.
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Why the "At Last" Controversy Still Matters
You can't talk about the songs Beyonce sang in Cadillac Records without mentioning the drama with the actual Etta James.
Basically, Etta was fine with the movie. She even walked the red carpet at the premiere and gave Beyoncé a "raving thumbs up." But things got weird in 2009 when Beyoncé was chosen to sing "At Last" for Barack and Michelle Obama’s first dance at the Inaugural Ball.
Etta James, then 71, was caught on stage later saying, "I can't stand Beyoncé. She has no business... singing my song that I've been singing forever." She later claimed she was joking, but the tension was real. It highlighted a massive generational divide in the industry. For Beyoncé, it was an homage. For Etta, it felt like being replaced while she was still standing there.
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Modern Reception and Discovering the Blues
In 2026, looking back at this soundtrack, it’s clear that this project was the bridge to Beyoncé’s more experimental work. Without the grit she learned singing "All I Could Do Was Cry," we might never have gotten the soulful rock of Lemonade or the gritty textures of Cowboy Carter.
The production on these tracks, handled largely by Steve Jordan, stays incredibly faithful to the original Chess Records "wall of sound." They didn't over-sanitize it. They kept the bleed in the microphones. They kept the room hiss.
How to Experience These Songs Today
If you want to dive deeper into these performances, don't just stick to the movie clips. The Cadillac Records Deluxe Edition soundtrack features full-length versions that aren't interrupted by dialogue.
- Listen for the "Growl": On "Trust in Me," pay attention to the lower register. It’s a range Beyoncé rarely used before this film.
- Compare to the Originals: To truly appreciate what she did, play Etta James’ 1960 version of "At Last" right after Beyoncé’s. You’ll notice Beyoncé hits the notes with more "pop" precision, while Etta lingers behind the beat with a jazzier, more unpredictable timing.
- Watch the Performance Scenes: The acting informs the singing. The way she slumps her shoulders and tilts her head as Etta tells a story that the lyrics alone can't cover.
To get the full experience of the music that defined an era, you should start by streaming the Cadillac Records (Music from the Motion Picture) album, specifically focusing on the 2-disc deluxe version to hear the nuances in the production. Once you've finished the Beyoncé tracks, listen to Jeffrey Wright’s Muddy Waters covers and Mos Def’s (Yasiin Bey) take on Chuck Berry to understand the full context of the Chess Records sound. For a final step, find the 1960 album At Last! by Etta James to see exactly where the inspiration—and the fire—began.