Finally (CeCe Peniston song)

"Finally" is a song by American singer-songwriter CeCe Peniston, released in September 1991 as her debut single from her first album of the same name (1992). It received critical acclaim, becoming Peniston's first (and biggest) hit song, peaking at number 5 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in January 1992. Prior to that, the track was a major success on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart, where it spent two weeks at number 1 in late 1991. In addition, a dance remix of the song, the "Choice Mix", peaked at number 2 on the UK Singles Chart in March 1992. The remix appeared on many dance music compilations in the early '90s. Its music video was directed by Claude Borenzweig. Billboard ranked "Finally" among the "500 Best Pop Songs of All Time" in 2023.[2]

"Finally"
Cover art for original US editions
Single by CeCe Peniston
from the album Finally
B-side"We Got a Love Thang" (remix)
ReleasedSeptember 30, 1991 (1991-09-30)
Genre
Length
  • 4:05 (album version/7-inch mix without rap)
  • 4:09 (7-inch Choice mix)
LabelA&M
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Felipe Delgado
  • Kelsey
CeCe Peniston singles chronology
"Finally"
(1991)
"I Like It"
(1991)
Music video
"Finally" (7-inch mix without rap) on YouTube

Background and release edit

Peniston grew up in Phoenix and began writing pop songs during school. The words of "Finally" were purportedly penned during a chemistry class, while thinking about dating in college.[3][4] 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.[5][6] Though Overweight Pooch's album flopped on the market, Manny Lehman (a DJ and executive producer) 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. When asked about the song in a 2012 interview, Peniston said,

"It was actually a poem that I had turned into a song, and it was the very first song that I had written. I was doing backup for someone else, and they asked if I had something else and I was like yeah, something I've written, and I didn't know if they'd like it. You know, you don't really understand your gifts at that point, so when he said I have a hit, I was just like okay. At the time I didn't understand what it means to have a number one song, I really had no idea. They said you have a hit on your hands and you're going to have to go to Europe. All of a sudden I was traveling the world, one show turned into two, that little girl from Arizona was going everywhere! You know, I had been here and there, a couple of trips, but nothing at all like this. It was overwhelming."[7]

Composition edit

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[8] with a tempo of 120 beats per minute, following a chord progression of G(9) – G/A – Bm, and Peniston's vocals span from B3 to D5.[9] In 2017, Peniston told about recording the song,

"It was a great experience making this song. I remember being in the studio with producer Felipe Delgado, and we didn't have the second verse written. I had forgotten some of the lyrics and just ad-libbed some of them–that "yeah-yeah" part. They ended up sampling that, and it became a big part of the song. It's amazing how those raw moments happen."[10]

Chart performance edit

The song was released in September 1991,[11] when it became an instant dance anthem, peaking in October at the top of the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart in the United States for two weeks, while achieving respectable chart success overseas the following year. The song was re-released in the United Kingdom, where it reached a new peak of number two in its second week at the UK Singles Chart, on March 22, 1992.[12] It was held off reaching the top spot by Shakespears Sister's "Stay". "Finally" also charted at number-one in Zimbabwe and on the RPM Dance/Urban chart in Canada, and 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.

Critical reception edit

J.D. Considine from The Baltimore Sun felt the song "is a delightful surprise, marrying a muscular, insinuating groove to Peniston's soulful, insistent vocals."[13] Larry Flick from Billboard complimented it as "a delicious peak-hour houser that is in a vein similar to Alison Limerick's "Where Love Lives". Peniston wraps her lovely alto around a hook that seeps into the brain and body and never lets go."[14] He also remarked that Peniston "proves her potential as a future diva on this brain-embedding, spine-stirring house anthem."[15] 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 explained 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 (or princess) will come."[16] Dave Sholin from the Gavin Report described it as a "bright and infectious" debut release and concluded, "I had a preview of this song back in July and have been in love with it ever since!"[17] Dennis Hunt from Los Angeles Times viewed it as "lively".[18]

Pan-European magazine 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."[19] Andy Beevers from Music Week complimented it as an "extremely classy and catchy garage-styled debut".[20] A reviewer from People Magazine felt that it's "overflowing with verve and loaded up with joyous girlie glee", noting the "ecstatic, beat-heavy power" of the track.[21] James Hamilton from the RM Dance Update labeled it as "cheerful wailing" and a "ex–Miss America's catchy Crystal Waters–type US pop smash".[22] Adam Higginbotham from Select declared "Finally" as "a superb slice of feel-good pop music. From its bassline – purloined from Ce Ce (no relation) Rogers' classic garage tune 'Someday' – to the inanely cheery lyrics."[23] Tom Doyle from Smash Hits viewed it as a "rousing house song".[24] 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."[25]

Retrospective response edit

Bill Lamb from About.com featured "Finally" in their list of "The Top 100 Best Party Songs", describing it as an "upbeat, celebratory song about love".[26] 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."[27] AllMusic editor Craig Lytle felt that the song and its follow-up, "We Got a Love Thang", "employ that rapid dancehall groove better known as house music".[28] Stopera and Galindo from BuzzFeed remarked, "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!"[29] A writer from Complex said that "this was the sound of the early 1990s, when everything was turning colorful and bright."[30] Pop Rescue called it "a great track, with that fantastic hand-clap, bassline and piano opening", adding that Peniston's vocals are "sublime".[31]

Music video edit

A music video was made for "Finally", directed by Claude Borenzweig. It is very simple, showing Peniston performing the song within a variety of shapes and colors, sometimes with a guy dancing.[32] The video was later made available by Vevo on YouTube in 2009.[33]

Impact and legacy edit

DJ Magazine ranked "Finally" number 64 in their list of "Top 100 Club Tunes" in 1998.[34] VH1 ranked it number 29 in their list of the "100 Greatest Dance Songs" in 2000. [1] MTV Dance ranked the song number 28 in their list of "The 100 Biggest '90s Dance Anthems of All Time" in November 2011.[35] Heart TV ranked "Finally" number three in their list of "55 Biggest '90s Club Classics" in March 2017.[36] BuzzFeed ranked the song number one in "The 101 Greatest Dance Songs of the '90s" in 2017, writing, "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."[37]

Slant Magazine ranked it number 37 in their list of "The 100 Best Dance Songs of All Time" in 2020. The Guardian ranked it number 66 in their "The 70 Greatest No 2 Singles – Ranked!" in 2022. Alexis Petridis wrote, "House music as pure pop-soul, "Finally" was a hymn to an idealised boyfriend sung by a former Miss Black Arizona."[38] Same year, Pitchfork ranked it number 87 in their countdown of "The 250 Best Songs of the 1990s" in 2022.[39] In October 2023, Billboard listed "Finally" number 447 in their "Best Pop Songs of All Time".[2] The magazine praised its "magic moment"; "Peniston sings the word “finally” about 20 times in this song, but it’s lucky no. 13 where she destroys the word on the break, growling it out and turning a song about meeting the man of your dreams from a cloying concept into a hard-won victory cry."[2]

Accolades edit

Year Publisher Country Accolade Rank
1991 The Face United Kingdom "Singles of the Year"[2] 5
1998 DJ Magazine United Kingdom "Top 100 Club Tunes" 64
2000 VH1 United States "100 Greatest Dance Songs"[3] 29
2005 Bruce Pollock United States "The 7,500 Most Important Songs of 1944–2000" Unranked
2005 Süddeutsche Zeitung Germany "1020 Songs 1955–2005"[citation needed] Unranked
2011 Max Australia "1000 Greatest Songs of All Time"[40] 919
2011 MTV Dance United Kingdom "The 100 Biggest 90's Dance Anthems of All Time"[35] 28
2013 Complex United States "15 Songs That Gave Dance Music a Good Name"[30] Unranked
2015 Robert Dimery United States "1,001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die, and 10,001 You Must Download (2015 Update)" 1002
2017 Heart TV United Kingdom "55 Biggest '90s Club Classics"[36] 3
2017 BuzzFeed United States "The 101 Greatest Dance Songs Of the '90s" 1
2018 About.com United States "The Top 100 Best Party Songs of All Time"[41] 60
2019 Billboard United States "Billboard's Top Songs of the '90s"[42] 297
2020 Daily Mirror[unreliable source?] United Kingdom "Top 50 Happiest Songs Ever"[43] 23
2020 PopMatters United States "15 Landmark Dance Tracks of 1991"[44] Unranked
2020 Slant Magazine United States "The 100 Best Dance Songs of All Time"[45] 37
2022 Billboard United States "Best LGBTQ Anthems of All Time"[46] 44
2022 The Guardian United Kingdom "The 70 Greatest No 2 Singles – Ranked!"[38] 66
2022 Pitchfork United States "The 30 Best House Tracks of the ’90s"[47] Unranked
2022 Pitchfork United States "The 250 Best Songs of the 1990s"[39] 87
2022 Rolling Stone United States "200 Greatest Dance Songs of All Time"[48] 83
2022 Time Out United Kingdom "The 50 Best Gay Songs to Celebrate Pride All Year Long"[49] 48
2023 Billboard United States "Best Pop Songs of All Time"[2] 447

Music awards and nominations edit

Track listings and formats edit

  • US cassette single
  1. "Finally" (7-inch Mix) – 4:27
  2. "Finally" (7-inch Choice Mix) – 4:08
  • US CD single
  1. "Finally" (7-inch Choice Mix) – 4:08
  2. "Finally" (12-inch Mix without Rap) – 7:07
  3. "Finally" (12-inch Choice Mix) – 7:04
  • US 12-inch and CD maxi-single
  1. "Finally" (12-inch Mix) – 7:04
  2. "Finally" (Momo Mix) – 7:02
  3. "Finally" (7-inch Mix) – 4:27
  4. "Finally" (12-inch Choice Mix) – 7:04
  5. "Finally" (Journey Mix) – 7:02
  6. "Finally" (7-inch Choice Mix) – 4:08
  • European and UK 7-inch, CD and cassette French single
  1. "Finally" (7-inch Choice Mix) – 4:08
  2. "Finally" (7-inch Mix without Rap) – 4:05
  • Australian CD and cassette single
  1. "Finally" (7-inch Choice Mix) – 4:08
  2. "Finally" (12-inch Choice Mix) – 7:04
  • Dutch and UK 7-inch single
  1. "Finally" (7-inch Choice Mix) – 4:08
  2. "Finally" (7-inch PKA Mix) – 3:58
  • Australian, European and UK 12-inch singles
  1. "Finally" (12-inch Choice Mix) – 7:04
  2. "Finally" (7-inch Choice Mix) – 4:08
  3. "Finally" (Somedub Mix) – 7:07
  • UK 12-inch single
  1. "Finally" (12-inch Choice Mix) – 7:04
  2. "Finally" (12-inch PKA Mix) – 7:08
  3. "We Got a Love Thang" (The Factory Jam) – 7:08
  • UK CD single
  1. "Finally" (7-inch Choice Mix) – 4:08
  2. "Finally" (12-inch Choice Mix) – 7:04
  3. "Finally" (Somedub Mix) – 7:07
  • European and UK CD maxi-single
  1. "Finally" (7-inch Choice Mix) – 4:08
  2. "Finally" (12-inch Choice Mix) – 7:04
  3. "Finally" (Somedub Mix) – 7:07
  4. "Finally" (7-inch Mix without Rap) – 4:05
  • UK CD maxi-single
  1. "Finally" (7-inch Choice Mix) – 4:08
  2. "Finally" (12-inch Choice Mix) – 7:04
  3. "Finally" (12-inch PKA Mix) – 7:08
  4. "Finally" (7-inch PKA Mix) – 3:58
  5. "Finally" (Somedub Mix) – 7:07

Credits and personnel edit

Management

Production

  • Writers – Cecilia Peniston (lyrics), Felipe Delgado, Rodney K. Jackson, and Elbert Lee Linnear (music)
  • Producers – Delgado, Rodney Jackson (as R.K. Jackson) (co-producer); David Morales and Philip Kelsey (remix)
  • Remixing – Morales, Kelsey
  • Engineering – David Sussman; Kelsey (remix)

Personnel

  • Vocals – Peniston
  • Percussion – Morales
  • Piano – Eric Kupper (acoustic and solo)
  • Keyboards – Rodney K. Jackson
  • Programming – Delgado
  • Cover art – Simon Fowler, Peggy Sirota
  • Design – Sarah Southin, Len Peltier

Charts edit

Certifications edit

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[89] Gold 400,000
United States (RIAA)[90] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history edit

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United Kingdom September 30, 1991
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
A&M [11]
United Kingdom (re-release) March 9, 1992 [91]

Reissues edit

"Finally '97" edit

"Finally '97"
Single by CeCe Peniston
from the album Finally (1997 reissue)
B-side
ReleasedSeptember 1, 1997 (1997-09-01)[92]
Length3:26 (Classic Funk radio mix)
LabelA&M
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Music video
"Classic Funk Radio Mix" on YouTube

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 titled "Classic Funk Mix" (or "Finally '97") successfully re-entered the British charts, peaking on September 13 at number 26 on the UK Singles Chart,[93] meaning Peniston had three chart entries with one and the same title (in March 92, in September 97).

Additional credits edit

  • Recording studio – Hysteria Recording
  • Publishing – PolyGram Music
  • Producer, engineering, programming, keyboards, guitar and bass – Eric Kupper
  • Remixing – Kupper, George Mitchell and Steven Doherty (as Sharp)
  • Design – Alex

Track listings and formats edit

Charts edit

Chart (1997) Peak
position
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[94] 79
UK Singles (OCC)[93] 26

"Finally 2008" edit

"Finally 2k8"
Promotional single
from the album Mastermix: Pro Dance 08
Released2008 (2008)
Length7:05
LabelBimbo Rock
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)

In mid-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.[95]

Additional credits edit

  • Producers and remixing – Kam Denny and Paul Zala

Charts edit

"Finally 2011" edit

"Finally 2011"
Single by CeCe Peniston featuring Joyriders
ReleasedOctober 3, 2011 (2011-10-03)
Length2:58 (Roman Hunter airplay mix)
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Roman Hunter
  • Digitalchord
  • Zen Freeman
  • Remy Le Duc
  • Tiger Stripes
  • DJ Cii
Music video
"Finally" featuring Joyriders on YouTube

For the 20th anniversary of "Finally", Peniston made a number of additional remixes of the song for Paul Oakenfold, featuring Joyriders, and supported also by music video.[98] Originally, the song was to be attached to her cancelled studio album CeCe.[99]

Additional credits edit

  • Executive producer – Paul Oakenfold
  • Vocals – Peniston (re-recorded)
  • Performer – Joyriders
  • Producers and remixing – Roman Hunter, Digitalchord, Zen Freeman, Remy Le Duc, Mikael Nordgren (as Tiger Stripes), Chuckii Booker (as DJ Cii)
  • Vocal production – Kevin Lewis

Track listings and formats edit

Release 1

  1. "Finally" (Roman Hunter Airplay Mix) – 2:58

Release 2

  1. "Finally" (Roman Hunter Remix) – 7:03
  2. "Finally" (Digitalchord Remix) – 7:00
  3. "Finally" (Zen Freeman & Remy Le Duc Remix) – 6:03
  4. "Finally" (Tiger Stripes Remix) – 7:22
  5. "Finally" (DJ Cii Remix) – 2:31

Deep House Selection, Volume 6 (The Finest Deep House Tunes)

  1. "Finally" (Tiger Stripes Radio Edit) – 3:15

In popular culture edit

For her ninth tour Showgirl: The Homecoming Tour that resumed on November 11, 2006, at Sydney Entertainment Centre (ended on January 23, 2007), Kylie Minogue used elements of Peniston's song when performing her 2000 comeback single "Spinning Around", co-written by Paula Abdul.[100]

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.[101]

In 2015, the song was also used in an advertisement for Ariel detergent in the Philippines, along with modified lyrics to promote the product.[102] 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.[103]

See also edit

References edit

General

  • "CeCe Peniston – Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved March 19, 2011.

Specific

  1. ^ Petridis, Alexis (November 17, 2022). "The 70 greatest No 2 singles – ranked!". The Guardian. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d "The 500 Best Pop Songs: Staff List". Billboard. October 19, 2023. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  3. ^ Brown, Roynette N. (August 2007). "Interviews > 2007 > One on One with CeCe Peniston". SayWhatNews. (Say What News Magazine). Archived from the original on April 29, 2011. Retrieved September 23, 2010.
  4. ^ Psaroudis, Yiannis. "DiVA Station > R&B/Soul > CeCe Peniston >". divastation.com. (DiVA Station). Archived from the original on May 30, 2012. Retrieved September 23, 2010.
  5. ^ Jarvik, Elaine (March 12, 1992). "Peniston Building Public Relations in Utah". Deseret News. Deseret News Publishing Company. Retrieved September 23, 2010.
  6. ^ Koen, David (July 8, 1992). "Hip-Hop Home Girls: A Trio of Women Puts the Valley on the Music Map". Phoenix New Times. Retrieved September 23, 2010.
  7. ^ "Q&A: CeCe Peniston: Finally: 20 Years Later". soultrain.com. Retrieved February 20, 2017.
  8. ^ CeCe, Peniston; E.L, Linnear; Rodney, Jackson; Felipe, Delgado; CeCe, Peniston (May 11, 2015). "Finally". Musicnotes.com. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
  9. ^ Peniston, CeCe (May 11, 2015). "CeCe Peniston "Finally" Sheet Music in B Minor (transposable) – Download & Print". Musicnotes.com. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
  10. ^ Arena, James (2017). Stars of 90's Dance Pop: 29 Hitmakers Discuss Their Careers. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc.
  11. ^ a b "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. September 28, 1991. p. 23.
  12. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 75 22 March 1992 – 28 March 1992". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  13. ^ Considine, J.D. (1992). "CeCe Peniston – Finally". The Baltimore Sun – via Milwaukee Journal. (February 25, 1992).
  14. ^ Flick, Larry (July 27, 1991). "Dance Trax: NMS Motions; Kill-er 'Sexplosion'; Princely 'Pearl'" (PDF). Billboard. p. 25. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
  15. ^ Flick, Larry (August 24, 1991). "New & Noteworthy" (PDF). Billboard. p. 65. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
  16. ^ Linden, Amy (January 31, 1992). "Finally". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
  17. ^ Sholin, Dave (September 20, 1991). "Gavin Picks > Singles" (PDF). Gavin Report. No. 1874. p. 56. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  18. ^ Hunt, Dennis (April 5, 1992). "Ce Ce Peniston: Forget Dance Diva: Imagine a Balladeer". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  19. ^ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. November 9, 1991. p. 17. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  20. ^ Beevers, Andy (September 14, 1991). "Dance: Pick of the Week" (PDF). Music Week. p. 10. Retrieved October 4, 2020.
  21. ^ "Picks and Pans Review: Thought Ya Knew". People. February 7, 1994. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  22. ^ Hamilton, James (March 14, 1992). "DJ Directory: Hot Vinyl" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). p. 6. Retrieved October 2, 2020.
  23. ^ Higginbotham, Adam (March 1, 1992). "Reviews: New Albums". Select. p. 66. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
  24. ^ Doyle, Tom (March 4, 1992). "New Singles". Smash Hits. No. 346. p. 48. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
  25. ^ Pick, Steve. (December 10, 1993). "An Update on the MTV Singles Scene". St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
  26. ^ Lamb, Bill (May 22, 2019). "The Top 100 Best Party Songs of All Time". About.com. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
  27. ^ Flemming, Jr., Steven E. (January 26, 2017). "Look What We Got: CeCe Peniston's Debut Album 'Finally' Turns 25: Anniversary Retrospective". Albumism. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
  28. ^ Lytle, Craig. "Ce Ce Peniston – Finally". AllMusic. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  29. ^ Stopera, Matt; Galindo, Brian (March 11, 2017). "The 101 Greatest Dance Songs of the '90s". BuzzFeed. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  30. ^ a b Nappy (July 12, 2013). "15 Songs That Gave Dance Music a Good Name". Complex. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  31. ^ "Review: "Finally" by Ce Ce Peniston (CD, 1992)". Pop Rescue. October 17, 2014. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  32. ^ "Claude Borenzweig". imvdb.com. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
  33. ^ "CeCe Peniston – Finally (Official Video)". YouTube. June 16, 2009. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
  34. ^ "DJ Magazine Top 100 Club Tunes (1998)". discogs.com. Retrieved March 4, 2017.
  35. ^ a b MTV Dance. December 27, 2011.
  36. ^ a b Heart TV. March 3, 2017.
  37. ^ "The 101 Greatest Dance Songs Of the '90s". BuzzFeed. March 11, 2017. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
  38. ^ a b Petridis, Alexis (November 17, 2022). "The 70 Greatest No 2 Singles – Ranked!". The Guardian.
  39. ^ a b "The 250 Best Songs of the 1990s". Pitchfork. September 27, 2022. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  40. ^ "TOP 1000 GREATEST SONGS OF ALL TIME – 2011". Max. 2011. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  41. ^ "The Top 100 Best Party Songs of All Time". About.com. September 10, 2018. Retrieved November 4, 2019.
  42. ^ "Greatest of All Time: Billboard's Top Songs of the '90s". Billboard. 2019. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
  43. ^ "Top 50 Happiest Songs Ever". Daily Mirror. May 26, 2020. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
  44. ^ Jansen, Steve (June 26, 2020). "15 Landmark Dance Tracks of 1991". PopMatters. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
  45. ^ "The 100 Best Dance Songs of All Time". Slant Magazine. June 15, 2020. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
  46. ^ "Best LGBTQ Anthems of All Time". Billboard. June 7, 2022. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  47. ^ Sherburne, Philip; Cardew, Ben (October 13, 2022). "The 30 Best House Tracks of the '90s". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  48. ^ Dolan, Jon; Lopez, Julyssa; Matos, Michaelangelo; Shaffer, Claire (July 22, 2022). "200 Greatest Dance Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  49. ^ "The 50 Best Gay Songs to Celebrate Pride All Year Long". Time Out. January 21, 2022. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
  50. ^ a b c d e f g "CeCe Peniston – Awards". First Class Entertainment. gotofirstclass.com. Archived from the original on May 26, 2012. Retrieved March 20, 2011.
  51. ^ a b c "Peniston Leads Nominees For Billboard Music Video Awards". Billboard. October 17, 1992. p. 79. Retrieved March 19, 2011.
  52. ^ "Gaynor 'Survives' To Become VH1's Greatest Dance Song". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. billboard.biz. Retrieved March 19, 2011.
  53. ^ "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 1673." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  54. ^ "European Dance Radio" (PDF). Music & Media. November 23, 1991. p. 26. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
  55. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  56. ^ "Top 60 Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week. October 12, 1991. p. 26. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  57. ^ "CeCe Peniston Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  58. ^ "CeCe Peniston Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  59. ^ "Ce Ce Peniston – Finally". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  60. ^ "Ce Ce Peniston – Finally" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  61. ^ "Ce Ce Peniston – Finally" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  62. ^ "Hits of the World: Canada". Billboard. Vol. 104, no. 7. February 15, 1992. p. 45.
  63. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2048." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  64. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 9, no. 14. April 4, 1992. p. 17. Retrieved March 6, 2018.
  65. ^ "European Dance Radio" (PDF). Music & Media. March 28, 1992. p. 46. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  66. ^ "Ce Ce Peniston – Finally" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  67. ^ "Ce Ce Peniston – Finally" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  68. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Finally". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  69. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 8, 1992" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  70. ^ "Ce Ce Peniston – Finally" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  71. ^ "Ce Ce Peniston – Finally". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  72. ^ "Ce Ce Peniston – Finally". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  73. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  74. ^ "Top 60 Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week. March 28, 1992. p. 22. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  75. ^ "CeCe Peniston Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  76. ^ "CeCe Peniston Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  77. ^ * Zimbabwe. Kimberley, C. Zimbabwe: singles chart book. Harare: C. Kimberley, 2000
  78. ^ "RPM Dance Tracks of 1991". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  79. ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
  80. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1992" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  81. ^ "1992 Year-End Sales Charts – Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 9, no. 51/52. December 19, 1992. p. 17. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  82. ^ "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 1992" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  83. ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1992". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  84. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1992" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  85. ^ "Year End Charts: Top Singles". Music Week. January 16, 1993. p. 8.
  86. ^ "Billboard Top 100 – 1992". Retrieved May 23, 2018.
  87. ^ "The Club Top 100 of 1997" (PDF). Music Week, in RM (Dance Update Supplemental insert). January 10, 1998. p. 5. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
  88. ^ Lwin, Nanda. "Top 100 singles of the 1990s". Jam!. Archived from the original on August 29, 2000. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
  89. ^ "British single certifications – Ce Ce Peniston – Finally". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  90. ^ "American single certifications – Ce Ce Peniston – Finally". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  91. ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. March 7, 1992. p. 17.
  92. ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. August 30, 1997. p. 35.
  93. ^ a b For peak positions of "Finally" single in UK, choose the singles link, or a Official Charts link depending on a release and/or peak date to view full runs of the single(s) in England.
  94. ^ "Music & Media: Eurochart Hot 100" (PDF). Music & Media. September 20, 1997. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
  95. ^ a b CeCe Peniston – "Finally 2008" – ARIA Club Tracks (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. September 8, 2008. p. 20. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2008. Retrieved March 21, 2015. CeCe Peniston "Finally 2008 (Kam Denny & Paul Zala Mix)" #1
  96. ^ For the peak position of "Finally" in the International Global Dance Tracks chart compiled by US Billboard, you will need to subscribe to billboard.biz website to review the link.
  97. ^ CeCe Peniston – "Finally 2008" – ARIA Australian Top Club Tracks 2008 (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. 2008. p. 22. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 19, 2009. Retrieved March 21, 2015. CeCe Peniston "Finally 2008" #17
  98. ^ "CeCe Peniston featuring Joyriders – "Finally (Oakenfold Mix)". Karma Foundation. Perfecto Records. youtube.com. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved October 6, 2011.
  99. ^ "We Got a Love That Dare Not Speak Its Name Thang: An Interview with CeCe Peniston". Boy Culture. TypePad. June 13, 2011. boyculture.typepad.com. Archived from the original on September 20, 2011. Retrieved July 29, 2011. It's the twentieth anniversary of 'Finally,' which is nice. I'm about to do a remix of it with Paul Oakenfold.
  100. ^ Hogwood, Ben (November 28, 2005). "Kylie Minogue – Showgirl: The Greatest Hits Tour | music DVD reviews". MusicOMH. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved June 14, 2018.
  101. ^ "RightOutTV Music & Video Awards 2014 Winners Announced". The Seattle Lesbian. TSL. November 11, 2014. theseattlelesbian.com. Retrieved March 21, 2015.
  102. ^ "Ariel launches low-priced "Swakto sachet"". BusinessWorld. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved April 18, 2015.
  103. ^ Canlas, KC (April 10, 2015). "VIRAL: Compilation of Ariel's "Finally" Jingle Memes and Parodies". When in Manila. Retrieved April 18, 2015.

External links edit