In an era where studio recordings are often polished to perfection, Courtney Hadwin proves that authenticity still wins.

Her studio cover of Etta James’ soul classic “Something’s Got a Hold on Me” doesn’t rely on tricks or tuning—it relies on pure vocal power.

Watch her cover below.

From the first raspy note, Hadwin leans all the way in. Her voice growls and glides through the melody with the kind of raw edge that feels both old-school and fresh.

The original by Etta James was iconic, but Hadwin’s take makes it feel brand new like it was written just for her.

Without stepping on the legacy of the song, she manages to reshape it in her own image. Her vocal phrasing, emotional grit, and bluesy energy all come together in a way that feels deeply personal.

No flashy production, no auto-tune—just a mic, a track, and a voice that sounds born for this sound.

Many listeners have said it already: she was made to sing the blues.

Here’s what to know about “Something’s Got a Hold on Me”

Released in 1962 as the third single off James’ self-titled album, “Something’s Got a Hold on Me” included elements of gospel, soul, and blues en route to becoming one of the artist’s bigger hits. James performed the song live for the first time in Nashville on September 27, 1963 — a performance that would eventually be featured on her first live album, Etta James Rocks the House.

The track reached #37 on the Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at #4 on the Hot R&B Sides.

Contemporary music fans will undoubtedly recognize the iconic opening verse since it was sampled Flo Rida’s 2012 track, “Good Feeling.” The song eventually reached the #3 spot on the Billboard Hot 100, marking one of seven Top 5 hits for the rapper.