Unleashing Bighead Energy: 7 Underrated Etta James Songs Every Soul Rebel Needs to Hear

Fenx Nette
Jun 15
3 min read

Discover how Etta James’ fearless sound revolutionized music, fashion, film, and live performance across generations.

By Fenxnette (Jeannette Bryan) – Bighead Energy Edition

Etta James didn’t just sing—she shifted vibrations. Her voice wasn’t created for small talk; it was forged for legacy. Most people know “At Last” or “I’d Rather Go Blind,” but beyond the surface lie deep soul cuts that deserve their flowers.

These songs? They weren’t just music. They were movement. Bighead Energy means unapologetic impact—and these tracks are loaded with it.

1. “Seven Day Fool” (1961)

This track was slept on in its time, but soul DJs revived it decades later on UK dance floors. It became a movement in the underground soul scene and helped shape what would later become Northern Soul culture. It proves timeless rhythm can’t be silenced.

2. “Tell Mama” (1967)

Recorded at Muscle Shoals, Etta laid this down with grit and fire. It wasn't just a hit—it reintroduced her to a generation that had written her off. Artists across genres—from Aretha Franklin to Janis Joplin—studied Etta’s phrasing, attitude, and rawness.

3. “I’d Rather Go Blind” (1967)

Etta didn’t just sing heartbreak—she embodied it. This track’s raw, stripped-down soul has been covered by Beyoncé, Rod Stewart, and Beth Hart. It's also been used in film and television to create emotional depth—impacting how music is used in visual storytelling.

4. “Something’s Got a Hold on Me” (1962)

This is where blues meets gospel meets dance-floor swagger. Fast-forward decades later—this track gets sampled in Avicii’s “Levels” and Flo Rida’s “Good Feeling”, showing how Etta’s voice still drives modern pop and EDM.

Her vocal grit laid the foundation for modern anthems that demand confidence, and you’ll find the echo of her tone in everything from Super Bowl commercials to runway shows.

5. “The Wallflower (Roll with Me, Henry)” (1955)

Etta flipped a man’s lyric and made it her own decades before the industry was ready to credit women for doing just that. This track showed she was a visionary, even as a teen. Her energy gave future pop icons permission to blend boldness with sensuality.

6. “Seven Day Fool” (Live Version)

Live? She was untouchable. Her Rocks the House performance turned every lyric into theater. This version influenced how live vocal performance is staged today—from rock shows to Vegas residencies. She didn’t just perform—she possessed the mic.

7. “Deep in the Night” (1978)

When she dipped into rock, she brought soul with her. This live performance proved Etta could dominate any genre—and today’s genre-bending artists owe her for that. From Miley Cyrus to Janelle Monáe, the blueprint of blending raw soul with rock rebellion starts here.

💫 Bighead Energy Takeaway

Etta James wasn’t just a singer—she was a creative disruptor.

Her sound helped shape how:

🎬 Music is scored in film and TV for emotional storytelling
👗 Designers use blues and soul aesthetics in fashion and runway
🎤 Artists break genre boundaries and gender expectations
💿 Producers sample vintage soul for chart-topping hits
🎭 Performers bring vulnerability to the stage with power

She made it okay to be bold, broken, and brilliant—all at once. And that’s Bighead Energy at its core: showing up fully, even when the world isn’t ready.