Finally (CeCe Peniston song)


"Finally" is the 1991 debut single by American musician CeCe Peniston from her debut album, Finally. "Finally" became Peniston's first hit song, peaking at number five on the US Billboard Hot 100 in January 1992 and becoming her only US top-ten hit to date. Prior to that, the track was a major success on the US Dance charts, where it spent two weeks at number one in late 1991. In addition, a dance remix of the song peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart in March 1992. The remix appeared on many dance music compilations in the early 90s.

Background and release

Peniston grew up in Phoenix, Arizona and began writing pop songs during school. The words of "Finally" were purportedly penned during a chemistry class, while thinking about dating in college. In 1989 and 1990 she won the Miss Black Arizona pageant, and took the Miss Galaxy pageant a short time later.
Her music career began in January 1991, when Felipe "DJ Wax Dawg" Delgado, her friend and a record producer based also in Phoenix, asked Peniston to record back-up vocals for Tonya Davis, a rapper known as Overweight Pooch. Though Overweight Pooch’s album flopped on the market, Manny Lehman had noticed the powerful voice of the back-up vocalist, Peniston. He offered Delgado a chance to produce a track for Peniston to cultivate her potential as a solo artist. Delgado called hometown friend and music producer, Rodney K. Jackson, to help co-produce Peniston’s single, which would become "Finally".
Peniston was 21 years old when "Finally" was released. The song was released in the fall of 1991, where it became an instant dance anthem, peaking in October at the top of the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play for two weeks, while achieving respectable chart success overseas the following year. The song was re-released in the UK, where it reached a new peak of number 2, and also charted at number 8 in Australia and New Zealand. In Europe, the song reached number 3 in Belgium and number 5 in the Netherlands and Ireland. Following the single's success, Peniston completed her first album, Finally, in two months. The album was critically acclaimed, and Peniston celebrated a year-long run of awards success including the Billboard Award for Best New Artist, and three ASCAP awards amongst numerous others. The song "Finally" has sold over 3 million copies to date.
When asked about "Finally" in a 2012 interview, Peniston said:
New versions of "Finally" were released in 1997 and 2011.

Composition

The remix of this song is based on the piano riff from the house music classic "Someday" by CeCe Rogers from 1987. The song is performed in the key of B minor with a tempo of 120 beats per minute, following a chord progression of G – G/A – Bm, and Peniston's vocals span from B3 to D5.

Critical reception

Bill Lamb from About.com described "Finally" as an "upbeat, celebratory song about love". Steven E. Flemming, Jr. from Albumism noted that it "skillfully melded the insistent grace of all that’s right about dance production values with grand vocals." AllMusic editor Craig Lytle wrote in his review that the song and its follow-up "We Got a Love Thang" "employ that rapid dancehall groove better known as house music". Larry Flick from Billboard said that Peniston "proves her potential as a future diva on this brain-embedding, spine-stirring house anthem. Assorted remixes by David Morales wisely keep the focus on her enigmatic vocals and have the muscle to knock down doors at club, urban, and top 40 levels. Very deep." Matt Stopera and Brian Galindo from BuzzFeed noted, "When it comes to ‘90s dance songs you’d be hard-pressed to find another song that so perfectly incorporates other music genres that made the decade so great — i.e., R&B, house, and pop — which is what makes “Finally” the quintessential ‘90s dance song. And honestly, it’s a feel-good hit! Just try being in a bad mood after listening to it!" Complex said that "this was the sound of the early 1990s, when everything was turning colorful and bright." Amy Linden from Entertainment Weekly commented, "The slammin’ house/pop single of the moment? It’s CeCe Peniston’s ”Finally,” and its sheer joy and verve." She added further, "Grooving in the fabulousness of her newfound Mr. Right, and sorta amazed that it all happened, she wails deliciously, making you believe that true love will conquer all and that someday your prince will come." Dave Sholin from the Gavin Report described it as a "bright and infectious debut release" and also commented, "I had a preview of this song back in July and have been in love with it ever since!" Music & Media stated that "this newcomer gives further evidence that dance is still developing into a more song-oriented direction. The violins give the tune the ambiance of Backstabbers by the O'Jays." People Magazine said that it's "overflowing with verve and loaded up with joyous girlie glee" and noted the "ecstatic, beat-heavy power" of the track. Pop Rescue called it "a great track, with that fantastic hand-clap, bassline and piano opening", adding that Peniston's vocals are "sublime". Adam Higginbotham from Select stated that "Finally" "is a superb slice of feel-good pop music. From its bassline — purloined from Ce Ce Rogers' classic garage tune 'Someday' — to the inanely cheery lyrics." Smash Hits labeled it as a "rousing house song". Steve Pick from St. Louis Post-Dispatch wrote that "this is a catchy disco number, building energy through repetition of the simple hookline and a solid bass/drum throb. Get on the dance floor to this one, and you'll move."

Music video

The music video of "Finally" was directed by Claude Borenzweig. It is very simple, showing Peniston performing the song within a variety of shapes and colors, sometimes with a guy.

Impact and legacy

DJ Magazine ranked it number 64 in their list of "Top 100 Club Tunes" in 1998.
VH1 placed "Finally" at number 29 in their list of the "100 Greatest Dance Songs" in 2000.
MTV Dance placed "Finally" at number 28 in their list of "The 100 Biggest '90s Dance Anthems Of All Time" in November 2011.
Heart TV ranked the song number 3 in their list of "55 Biggest '90s Club Classics" in March 2017.
BuzzFeed listed the song in "The 101 Greatest Dance Songs Of the '90s" at number 1 in 2017. They wrote: "When it comes to ‘90s dance songs you’d be hard-pressed to find another song that so perfectly incorporates other music genres that made the decade so great — i.e., R&B, house, and pop — which is what makes “Finally” the quintessential ‘90s dance song."
Slant Magazine ranked the song at number 37 in their list of "The 100 Best Dance Songs of All Time" in 2020.

Accolades

Track listings and formats

US cassette single
  1. "Finally" – 4:27
  2. "Finally" – 4:08
US CD single
  1. "Finally" – 4:08
  2. "Finally" – 7:07
  3. "Finally" – 7:04
US 12" and CD maxi-single
  1. "Finally" – 7:04
  2. "Finally" – 7:02
  3. "Finally" – 4:27
  4. "Finally" – 7:04
  5. "Finally" – 7:02
  6. "Finally" – 4:08
European and UK 7", CD and cassette French singles
  1. "Finally" – 4:08
  2. "Finally" – 4:05
Australian CD and cassette single
  1. "Finally" – 4:08
  2. "Finally" – 7:04
Netherlands and UK 7" singles
  1. "Finally" – 4:08
  2. "Finally" – 3:58
Australian, European and UK 12" singles
  1. "Finally" – 7:04
  2. "Finally" – 4:08
  3. "Finally" – 7:07
UK 12" single
  1. "Finally" – 7:04
  2. "Finally" – 7:08
  3. "We Got a Love Thang" – 7:08
UK CD single
  1. "Finally" – 4:08
  2. "Finally" – 7:04
  3. "Finally" – 7:07
European and UK CD maxi-single
  1. "Finally" – 4:08
  2. "Finally" – 7:04
  3. "Finally" – 7:07
  4. "Finally" – 4:05
UK CD maxi-single
  1. "Finally" – 4:08
  2. "Finally" – 7:04
  3. "Finally" – 7:08
  4. "Finally" – 3:58
  5. "Finally" – 7:07

    Charts and certifications

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

Music awards and nominations

ASCAP Awards
YearAwardResult
1992Song of the Year
1992Pop Songwriter of the Year
1992Most Performed Song of the Year

Billboard Music Video Awards
YearAwardResult
1992Best Director – Dance
1992Best New Artist – Dance
1992Best Female Artist – Dance

BMI Awards
YearAwardResult
1993Urban Award of Achievement

VH1 Awards
YearAwardResult
2000100 Greatest Dance Songs

Winter Music Conference Awards
YearAwardResult
1992Best New Dance Artist
1992Best Dance Artist – Solo
1992Best 12" Dance Record

Credits and personnel

Management
Production
Personnel

Finally 1997

In 1997, "Finally" was remixed by Eric Kupper to enhance the overseas issue of Peniston's album Finally, which was re-released in Europe and Japan along with her greatest collection, The Best Of CeCe Peniston.
The new remixed version of the song entitled "Classic Funk Mix" successfully re-entered the British charts, peaking on September 13 at number 26 on the UK Singles Chart, meaning Peniston had three chart entries with one and the same title.

Additional credits

French CD single
  1. "Finally" – 3:26
  2. "Finally" – 7:13
European CD maxi-single
  1. "Finally" – 3:26
  2. "Finally" – 7:13
  3. "Finally" " – 8:00
  4. "Finally" " – 5:28
Italian 12-inch vinyl single
  1. "Finally" " – 8:00
  2. "Finally" " – 5:28
  3. "Finally" – 7:13
  4. "Finally" – 3:26
European/UK CD maxi-single
  1. "Finally" – 3:26
  2. "Finally" – 4:09
  3. "We Got a Love Thang" – 4:28
  4. "Hit by Love" – 4:34
European/UK CD maxi-single
  1. "Finally" – 3:26
  2. "Finally" – 7:13
  3. "Finally" " – 8:00
  4. "Finally" " – 5:28
  5. "Finally" – 8:16
  6. "Finally" – 6:00
UK 12-inch double vinyl
  1. "Finally" " – 8:00
  2. "Finally" – 8:16
  3. "Finally"
  4. "Finally" " – 5:28
  5. "Finally" – 6:00
  6. "Finally" – 7:13
  7. "Finally" – 7:05

    Charts

Finally 2008

In the summer of 2008, the song was remixed by Kam Denny, an Australian DJ and producer, and Paul Zala, an electrohouse DJ based in Melbourne. Subtitled as "Kam Denny & Paul Zala Remix", or rather "Vandalism Remix", the promotional single was released in Australia on Bimbo Rock, a local indie dance/electro label formed by TV Rock. The new adaptation gained underground house music popularity and entered the local Club Tracks Chart, topping for four weeks at number one.

Additional credits

Weekly charts
Chart Peak
position
Australian Top 50 Club Tracks1
US Billboard Global Dance Tracks33

Year-end charts
Chart Peak
position
Australian Top 50 Club Tracks17

Finally 2011

On the twentieth anniversary of "Finally," Peniston made a number of additional remixes of the song for Paul Oakenfold, featuring Joyriders, and supported also by music video. Originally, the song was to be attached to her cancelled studio album CeCe.

Additional credits

Release #1
  1. "Finally" – 2:58
Release #2
  1. "Finally" – 7:03
  2. "Finally" – 7:00
  3. "Finally" – 6:03
  4. "Finally" – 7:22
  5. "Finally" – 2:31
Deep House Selection, Volume 6
  1. "Finally" – 3:15

    Legacy

In popular culture

The song features in the 1998 film Bimboland produced by Ariel Zeitoun. The 7-inch Choice Mix was used in the 1994 film The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and featured on its soundtrack album. The song is also featured in the stage musical based on the film.
For her ninth tour that resumed on November 11, 2006 at Sydney Entertainment Centre, Kylie Minogue used elements of Peniston's song when performing her 2000 comeback single "Spinning Around", co-written by Paula Abdul.
In November 2009, pop musician Lady Gaga used excerpts of "Finally" for the opening of The Monster Ball Tour in her song "Dance in the Dark".
In July 2014, British singer Matt Fishel included a cover version of the song on his virtual EP Cover Boy. The accompanying video won the category for Best Lyric Video at the 2014 LGBT-based RightOutTV Music & Video Award.
In 2015, the song was also used in an advertisement for Ariel detergent in the Philippines, along with modified lyrics to promote the product. The commercial has since spawned numerous parodies poking fun at the campy nature of the commercial and the song used, with numerous people and fictional characters lip-syncing to the tune.
The song was used as a lip-sync song during the ninth season of RuPaul's Drag Race. On the seventh episode contestants Nina Bo'nina Brown and Aja had to lip-sync to avoid elimination; Aja was eliminated.
The song was also briefly featured in Season 2 Episode 9 of Dear White People.