Edwin Starr was born in Nashville, Tennessee in 1942. He and his cousins (soul singers Roger and Willie Hatcher) moved to Cleveland, Ohio where they were raised.
In 1957 Starr formed a doo-wop group The Future Tones and began his singing career. Starr lived in Detroit, Michigan in the 1960s and recorded at first for the small record label Ric-Tic, and later for the famed Motown after it absorbed Ric-Tic in 1968.
The song which began his career was "Agent Double'O'Soul" (1965), a take-off on the James Bond films which were popular at the time.
He recorded more soul music for the next three years before having an international chart-topper in "25 Miles" (1968). As of 2005 it is one of only two Starr songs on oldies radio.
The biggest hit of his career, which cemented his reputation as a great soul artist, was the anti-Vietnam War protest song "War" (1970). A rousing tour-de-force, the vocals to "War" were - according to Starr - recorded in one take: an accomplishment which might make modern artists quail with apprehension. In explanation, Starr remained characteristically modest, explaining that he'd been allocated little studio time, so had to give each song his best shot.
Starr's intense vocals transformed a Temptations album track into a #1 chart success, which spent three weeks in that top position on the US Billboard charts, an anthem for the antiwar movement and a cultural milestone that continues to resound a generation later in movie soundtracks and hip hop music samples.
"War" appeared on both Starr's War and Peace LP and its follow-up, Involved. Involved also featured another song of very similar construction titled "Stop the War Now", which was a minor hit in its own right.
Moving to England in 1973, Starr continued to record music into the 1970s, most notably recording the song "Hell Up In Harlem" for the 1974 film, Hell Up In Harlem, which was the sequel to Black Caesar, an earlier hit with a soundtrack by James Brown.
In 1979 Starr reappeared on the charts with a pair of disco hits, titled "(Eye-To-Eye) Contact" and "H.A.P.P.Y. Radio". By now he had joined the well-established disco boom, and had further singles out on the record label 20th Century Records. Over the years he released tracks on many labels including Avatar, Calibre, 10 Records, Motown (a return to his former label for a 1989 remix of "25 Miles"), Streetwave and Hippodrome.
In 1985 Starr released "It Ain't Fair". Despite garnering the attention of many in the soul and dance clubs, it fell short of becoming the hit many felt it deserved to be.
In 1988 Starr teamed up with the popular and successful Stock, Aitken and Waterman production company for the club hit "Whatever Makes Our Love Grow".
In 1989, a number 17 uk hit by the Cookie Crew called "Got to Keep On" sampled a portion of "25 Miles" [1]. This track was then featured on a 1990 dance medley made for the BRIT Awards which made number 2 in the UK Singles Chart [2]. A club mix of various artists, it included the previous years remix of "25 Miles". Starr also appeared on the charity number one single "Let It Be" by Ferry Aid, again a various artist project.
Starr resurfaced briefly in 2000, to team up with the UK band Utah Saints to record a new version of his song "Funky Music Sho Nuff Turns Me On". He appeared again in 2002 to record a song with the British musician Jools Holland, singing "Snowflake Boogie" on Holland's compact disc More Friends; and to record another track with Utah Saints, a so far unreleased version of his number one hit "War" - his last ever recording.
Starr remained a hero on England's Northern Soul circuit - and also in Germany, where his energy and dedication to delivering a quality performance were greatly appreciated. He was affectionately renowned to be "The nicest man in Showbiz."
Edwin Starr died of a heart attack at the age of 61 in his home in Beeston near Nottingham.
At Last
Edwin Starr Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(At last, ooh, at last)
Oh, I found a love for me
(I found a love for me)
Oh, at last, at last (At last, ooh, at last)
Oh, I found a love for me
(I found a love for me) listen now
A life full of misery
Bringing with her the sunshine
That warms the very soul of me
I can say at last, at last
(At last, ooh, at last)
Oh, I found a love for me
(I found a love for me)
Listen to me, at last, oh, at last, at last
(At last, ooh, at last)
I found a love for me
I knew it right away (Right away, yeah)
As soon as our eyes first met
(Our eyes first met)
That her heart and mine would soon entwine
Into a love we could ever forget
Oh baby, at last, oh, at last
(At last, ooh, at last)
I found a love for me (I found a love for me)
Can't you see me, at last, oh, at last
(At last, ooh, at last)
Oh, I found a love for me
(I found a love for me) now, woah oh
She's sweet oh, oh, sweet (Uh huh huh)
She's the apple (Uh, huh)
Of my eye (Uh huh huh)
And her lips (Uh, huh)
Are just like two rubies (Uh huh huh)
And she stands (Uh, huh)
Just about so high (Uh huh huh)
And when she kisses me (Uh, huh)
I feel the thunder (Uh huh huh)
Lord, at last, oh, at last, at last
(At last, ooh, at last)
I found a love for me (I found a love for me)
Let me tell you, now
Everybody needs someone to love (Everybody)
I'm so glad that I found mine
(Oh, I got mine)
There's someone, somewhere, for everyone
And it's just a matter of time
And I found mine at last, oh, at last
(At last, ooh, at last)
Oh, I found a love for me
(I found a love for me)
I kept lookin' and at last, oh, at last
(At last, ooh, at last)
Oh, I found a love for me
(I found a love for me)
And I'm so happy I found her, I found her
(At last, ooh, at last)
I found a love (I found a love for me)
Oh, I keep tellin' you I
Found, I found, I found, i found
(At last, ooh, at last)
I found the love for me
(I found a love for me) oh woah woah
The lyrics of Edwin Starr's song "At Last" express the joy and relief of finding true love after a period of struggle and unhappiness. The singer describes how a woman came into his life, bringing sunshine and warmth to his previously miserable existence. He knows right away that their connection is deep and meaningful, and that their hearts will become intertwined in a love that they will never forget. The singer is overwhelmed with gratitude and happiness for finally finding the love he has been searching for.
These lyrics convey a sense of hope and optimism, emphasizing the belief that everyone deserves to find love and that it is only a matter of time before it happens. The repetition of the phrase "at last" throughout the song underscores the long-awaited fulfillment and the transformative power of love. The singer also acknowledges that finding love has made him complete and that he is grateful for the person who has come into his life, expressing a sense of contentment and happiness.
Overall, "At Last" is a song that celebrates the discovery of true love after a period of hardship, offering a message of hope and the belief that everyone can find their perfect match.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh oh, at last, at last
Finally, after a long search and waiting, I have found what I've been looking for
(At last, ooh, at last)
It's a feeling of relief and joy that I can't express in words
Oh, I found a love for me
I have discovered a love that is meant specifically for me
(I found a love for me) listen now
I want to share this amazing discovery with everyone, so please pay attention to my story
Into my life she came, people
She entered my life and brought happiness and fulfillment
A life full of misery
Before her arrival, my life was filled with sadness and unhappiness
Bringing with her the sunshine
She brought light and positivity into my life
That warms the very soul of me
Her love and presence bring warmth and happiness to the core of my being
I can say at last, at last
I can confidently declare that finally, after all the struggles, I have found what I've been searching for
(At last, ooh, at last)
It's a moment of pure joy and satisfaction that overwhelms me
Oh, I found a love for me
I have discovered a love that is perfect for me, tailored to my needs
Listen to me, at last, oh, at last, at last
Listen to my story of finally finding love, it's a tale of triumph and happiness
(At last, ooh, at last)
It's a feeling of fulfillment and completion that I can't contain
I found a love for me
I have found the love that was missing from my life
I knew it right away (Right away, yeah)
From the very first moment we met, I could feel something special and undeniable
As soon as our eyes first met
The connection between us was instant and powerful
(Our eyes first met)
Our gaze locked, and it felt like time stood still
That her heart and mine would soon entwine
I knew deep down that our hearts were destined to be together
Into a love we could ever forget
Our love is unforgettable, something that will forever remain in our hearts
Oh baby, at last, oh, at last
Oh, my darling, finally, after all the searching, we have found each other
I found a love for me (I found a love for me)
I have discovered a love that is meant solely for me, a love that completes me
Can't you see me, at last, oh, at last
Can't you see the happiness and contentment that radiates from me now that I have found love?
Oh, I found a love for me
I have discovered a love that is perfect for me, tailored to my needs
(I found a love for me) now, woah oh
Now, I am experiencing a love that I never thought possible, and it brings me immense joy
She's sweet oh, oh, sweet (Uh huh huh)
She is not only sweet, but her presence and love are exceptionally delightful
She's the apple (Uh, huh)
She is the most precious and beloved person in my life
Of my eye (Uh huh huh)
She is the center of my attention and affection
And her lips (Uh, huh)
Her lips are so captivating and tempting
Are just like two rubies (Uh huh huh)
Her lips have a lustrous beauty and allure similar to the finest rubies
And she stands (Uh, huh)
Her presence is strong and captivating
Just about so high (Uh huh huh)
She may be physically small, but her impact and influence on my life are immeasurable
And when she kisses me (Uh, huh)
Her kisses ignite a powerful and electrifying sensation within me
I feel the thunder (Uh huh huh)
Her passionate kisses and love make me feel a surge of intense emotions
Lord, at last, oh, at last, at last
Oh, my dear Lord, finally, after all the hardships, I have found the love I've been yearning for
(At last, ooh, at last)
It's an overwhelming and glorious moment that fills me with gratitude
I found a love for me (I found a love for me)
I have discovered a love that is meant solely for me, a love that completes me
Let me tell you, now
Allow me to share this incredible tale of finding true love
Everybody needs someone to love (Everybody)
Every person in this world craves and deserves love
I'm so glad that I found mine
I am extremely grateful that I have found the person who completes me
(Oh, I got mine)
I am fortunate to have found my true love
There's someone, somewhere, for everyone
There is a special person destined for each and every one of us
And it's just a matter of time
We just need to be patient and believe that love will find its way to us
And I found mine at last, oh, at last
And finally, I have found my destined love, after waiting for what felt like an eternity
(At last, ooh, at last)
It's a moment of pure bliss and fulfillment that overwhelms me
Oh, I found a love for me
I have discovered a love that is perfect for me, tailored to my needs
(I found a love for me)
I have found the love that was missing from my life
I kept lookin' and at last, oh, at last
I searched tirelessly, and finally, I found the love I had been desperately seeking
(At last, ooh, at last)
It's a moment of overwhelming joy and relief
Oh, I found a love for me
I have discovered a love that is perfect for me, tailored to my needs
(I found a love for me)
I have found the love that was missing from my life
And I'm so happy I found her, I found her
I am filled with immense happiness and gratitude for finding the love of my life
(At last, ooh, at last)
It's a moment of sheer bliss and fulfillment that I never want to let go of
I found a love (I found a love for me)
I have discovered a love that completes and fulfills me in every way
Oh, I keep tellin' you I
I can't stop expressing my joy and gratitude for finding this love
Found, I found, I found, i found
I want everyone to know that I have finally found the love I was searching for
(At last, ooh, at last)
It's a moment of overwhelming happiness and satisfaction
I found the love for me
I have discovered the perfect love that was meant for me, a love that completes me
(I found a love for me) oh woah woah
Oh, the joy and excitement I feel for finally finding the love I've been longing for
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANNA GAYE, MARVIN GAYE, ELGIE ROUSSEAU STOVER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind