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 (and biggest) 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.
"Finally" | ||||
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Cover art for US editions | ||||
Single by CeCe Peniston | ||||
from the album Finally | ||||
B-side | "We Got a Love Thang" (UK) Remix | |||
Released | September 23, 1991 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 4:05 (Album version) 4:09 (7" Choice mix) | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) |
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CeCe Peniston singles chronology | ||||
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Audio sample | ||||
"12" Choice Mix"
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Music video | ||||
"7" Mix" on YouTube |
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.[1][2] 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.[3][4][5] 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.[4] Delgado called hometown friend and music producer, Rodney K. Jackson, to help co-produce Peniston’s single, which would become "Finally".[6]
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 (dance), 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:
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]
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(9) – G/A – Bm, and Peniston's vocals span from B3 to D5.[8]
Critical reception
Bill Lamb from About.com described "Finally" as an "upbeat, celebratory song about love".[9] 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."[10] 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".[11] 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."[12] 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!"[13] Complex said that "this was the sound of the early 1990s, when everything was turning colorful and bright."[14] 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 (or princess) will come."[15] 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!"[16] 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."[17] 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.[18] Pop Rescue called it "a great track, with that fantastic hand-clap, bassline and piano opening", adding that Peniston's vocals are "sublime".[19] Adam Higginbotham from Select stated that "Finally" "is 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."[20] Smash Hits labeled it as a "rousing house song".[21] 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."[22]
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. [23]
Impact and legacy
DJ Magazine ranked it number 64 in their list of "Top 100 Club Tunes" in 1998.[24]
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.[25]
Heart TV ranked the song number 3 in their list of "55 Biggest '90s Club Classics" in March 2017.[26]
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."[27]
Slant Magazine ranked the song at number 37 in their list of "The 100 Best Dance Songs of All Time" in 2020.
Accolades
Year | Publisher | Country | Accolade | Rank |
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1991 | The Face | United Kingdom | "Singles of the Year" | 5 |
1998 | DJ Magazine | United Kingdom | "Top 100 Club Tunes" | 64 |
2000 | VH1 | United States | "100 Greatest Dance Songs" | 29 |
2005 | Bruce Pollock | United States | "The 7,500 Most Important Songs of 1944-2000" | * |
2005 | Süddeutsche Zeitung | Germany | "1020 Songs 1955-2005"[28] | * |
2011 | Max | Australia | "1000 Greatest Songs of All Time"[29] | 919 |
2011 | MTV Dance | United Kingdom | "The 100 Biggest 90's Dance Anthems of All Time"[30] | 28 |
2013 | Complex | United States | "15 Songs That Gave Dance Music a Good Name"[31] | * |
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" | 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"[32] | 60 |
2020 | Daily Mirror | United Kingdom | "Top 50 happiest songs ever"[33] | 23 |
2020 | Slant Magazine | United States | "The 100 Best Dance Songs of All Time"[34] | 37 |
Track listings and formats
US cassette single
- "Finally" (7" Mix) – 4:27
- "Finally" (7" Choice Mix) – 4:08
US CD single
- "Finally" (7" Choice Mix) – 4:08
- "Finally" (12" Mix without Rap) – 7:07
- "Finally" (12" Choice Mix) – 7:04
US 12" and CD maxi-single
- "Finally" (12" Mix) – 7:04
- "Finally" (Momo Mix) – 7:02
- "Finally" (7" Mix) – 4:27
- "Finally" (12" Choice Mix) – 7:04
- "Finally" (Journey Mix) – 7:02
- "Finally" (7" Choice Mix) – 4:08
European and UK 7", CD and cassette French singles
- "Finally" (7" Choice Mix) – 4:08
- "Finally" (7" Mix without Rap) – 4:05
Australian CD and cassette single
- "Finally" (7" Choice Mix) – 4:08
- "Finally" (12" Choice Mix) – 7:04
Netherlands and UK 7" singles
- "Finally" (7" Choice Mix) – 4:08
- "Finally" (7" PKA Mix) – 3:58
Australian, European and UK 12" singles
- "Finally" (12" Choice Mix) – 7:04
- "Finally" (7" Choice Mix) – 4:08
- "Finally" (Somedub Mix) – 7:07
UK 12" single
- "Finally" (12" Choice Mix) – 7:04
- "Finally" (12" PKA Mix) – 7:08
- "We Got a Love Thang" (The Factory Jam) – 7:08
UK CD single
- "Finally" (7" Choice Mix) – 4:08
- "Finally" (12" Choice Mix) – 7:04
- "Finally" (Somedub Mix) – 7:07
European and UK CD maxi-single
- "Finally" (7" Choice Mix) – 4:08
- "Finally" (12" Choice Mix) – 7:04
- "Finally" (Somedub Mix) – 7:07
- "Finally" (7" Mix without Rap) – 4:05
UK CD maxi-single
- "Finally" (7" Choice Mix) – 4:08
- "Finally" (12" Choice Mix) – 7:04
- "Finally" (12" PKA Mix) – 7:08
- "Finally" (7" PKA Mix) – 3:58
- "Finally" (Somedub Mix) – 7:07
Charts and certifications
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
Certifications
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Music awards and nominations
ASCAP Awards
Billboard Music Video Awards
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BMI Awards
VH1 Awards
Winter Music Conference Awards
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Credits and personnel
Management
- Executive producers – Manny Lehman, Mark Mazzetti
- Recording studio – Aztec Studios, Phoenix, Arizona
- Publishing – Wax Museum Music, Mainlot Music (BMI), Polygram Music
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
Reissues
Finally 1997
"Finally '97" | |
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Single by CeCe Peniston | |
from the album Finally (1997 reissue) | |
B-side |
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Released | September 1997 |
Length | 3:26 (Classic Funk Radio Mix) |
Label | |
Songwriter(s) |
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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 entitled "Classic Funk Mix" (a.k.a. "Finally '97") successfully re-entered the British charts, peaking on September 13 at number 26 on the UK Singles Chart,[65] meaning Peniston had three chart entries with one and the same title (in March 92, in September 97).
Additional credits
- 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
French CD single
- "Finally" (Classic Funk Radio Mix) – 3:26
- "Finally" (Classic Funk Mix) – 7:13
European CD maxi-single
- "Finally" (Classic Funk Radio Mix) – 3:26
- "Finally" (Classic Funk Mix) – 7:13
- "Finally" (Nasty Funk Mix)" – 8:00
- "Finally" (Nasty Funk Dub)" – 5:28
Italian 12-inch vinyl single
- "Finally" (Nasty Funk Mix)" – 8:00
- "Finally" (Nasty Funk Dub)" – 5:28
- "Finally" (Classic Funk Mix) – 7:13
- "Finally" (Classic Funk Radio Mix) – 3:26
European/UK CD maxi-single (#1)
- "Finally" (Classic Funk Radio Mix) – 3:26
- "Finally" (Choice' Mix) – 4:09
- "We Got a Love Thang" (Silky 7") – 4:28
- "Hit by Love" (LP Version) – 4:34
European/UK CD maxi-single (#2)
- "Finally" (Classic Funk Radio Mix) – 3:26
- "Finally" (Classic Funk Mix) – 7:13
- "Finally" (Nasty Funk Mix)" – 8:00
- "Finally" (Nasty Funk Dub)" – 5:28
- "Finally" (Sharp's System Vocal) – 8:16
- "Finally" (Sharp's Funky Mirror Ball Dub) – 6:00
UK 12-inch double vinyl
- "Finally" (Nasty Funk Mix)" – 8:00
- "Finally" (Sharp's System Vocal) – 8:16
- "Finally" (Acappella)
- "Finally" (Nasty Funk Dub)" – 5:28
- "Finally" (Sharp's Funky Mirror Ball Dub) – 6:00
- "Finally" (Classic Funk Mix) – 7:13
- "Finally" (12" Choice Mix) – 7:05
Charts
Chart (1997) | Peak position |
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Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[66] | 79 |
UK Top 75 Singles[65] | 26 |
Finally 2008
"Finally 2k8" | |
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Promotional single | |
from the album Mastermix: Pro Dance 08 | |
Released | 2008 |
Length | 7:05 |
Label | Bimbo Rock (AU) |
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) |
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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.[67]
Additional credits
- Producers and remixing – Kam Denny and Paul Zala
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Finally 2011
"Finally 2011" | |
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Single by CeCe Peniston featuring Joyriders | |
B-side | "Remix" |
Released | October 3, 2011 |
Length | 2:58 (Roman Hunter Airplay Mix) |
Label |
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Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) | |
Music video | |
"Finally" featuring Joyriders on YouTube |
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.[70] Originally, the song was to be attached to her cancelled studio album CeCe.[71]
Additional credits
- 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
Release #1
- "Finally" (Roman Hunter Airplay Mix) – 2:58
Release #2
- "Finally" (Roman Hunter Remix) – 7:03
- "Finally" (Digitalchord Remix) – 7:00
- "Finally" (Zen Freeman & Remy Le Duc Remix) – 6:03
- "Finally" (Tiger Stripes Remix) – 7:22
- "Finally" (DJ Cii Remix) – 2:31
Deep House Selection, Volume 6 (The Finest Deep House Tunes)
- "Finally" (Tiger Stripes Radio Edit) – 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 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.[72]
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.[73]
In 2015, the song was also used in an advertisement for Ariel detergent in the Philippines, along with modified lyrics to promote the product.[74] 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.[75]
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.
See also
References
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- 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.
- Jarvik, Elaine (March 12, 1992). "Peniston Building Public Relations in Utah". Deseret News. Deseret News Publishing Company. Retrieved September 23, 2010.
- Shelton, Sonya. "Index of Musician Biographies > From Johnny Paycheck to Ma Rainey > CeCe Peniston Biography". MusicianGuide.com. (Net Industries). Retrieved September 23, 2010.
- 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.
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- Peniston, CeCe. "CeCe Peniston "Finally" Sheet Music in B Minor (transposable) – Download & Print". Musicnotes.com. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
- Lamb, Bill (May 22, 2019). "The Top 100 Best Party Songs of All Time". About.com. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
- 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.
- "Ce Ce Peniston - Finally". AllMusic. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
- "Billboard: NEW & NOTEWORTHY" (PDF). Billboard. August 24, 1991. p. 65. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- Stopera, Matt; Galindo, Brian (March 11, 2017). "The 101 Greatest Dance Songs of the '90s". BuzzFeed. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
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- Sholin, Dave (September 20, 1991). "Gavin Picks > Singles" (PDF). Gavin Report. No. 1874. p. 56. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
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- "Top 50 happiest songs ever". Daily Mirror. May 26, 2020. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
- "The 100 Best Dance Songs of All Time". Slant Magazine. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
- "CeCe Peniston Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
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- "Charts.nz – Ce Ce Peniston – Finally". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
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-
- Zimbabwe. Kimberley, C. Zimbabwe: singles chart book. Harare: C. Kimberley, 2000
- "RPM Dance Tracks of 1991". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
- Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988-2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
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- "Billboard Top 100 - 1992". Retrieved May 23, 2018.
- "British single certifications – Ce Ce Peniston – Finally". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved April 23, 2018. Select singles in the Format field. Select Silver in the Certification field. Type Finally in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
- "American single certifications – Ce Ce Peniston – Finally". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved April 23, 2018. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH.
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- "CeCe Peniston – Singles – UK". The Official Charts Company. Music Week. theofficialcharts.com. Archived from the original on December 4, 2012. Retrieved March 19, 2011.
#29 in 1991, #2 in 1992, #26 in 1997
- "CeCe Peniston – "Finally" – UK". Official Charts Company. October 26, 1991. Official Charts.com. Retrieved March 19, 2011.
#29
- "CeCe Peniston – "Finally" – UK". Official Charts Company. March 28, 1992. Official Charts.com. Retrieved March 19, 2011.
#2
- "CeCe Peniston = "Finally" – UK". Official Charts Company. September 13, 1997. Official Charts.com. Retrieved March 19, 2011.
#26
- "CeCe Peniston – Singles – UK". The Official Charts Company. Music Week. theofficialcharts.com. Archived from the original on December 4, 2012. Retrieved March 19, 2011.
- "Music & Media: Eurochart Hot 100" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
- CeCe Peniston – "Finally 2008" – ARIA Club Tracks (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. ARIA. September 8, 2008. p. 20. Retrieved March 21, 2015.
CeCe Peniston "Finally 2008 (Kam Denny & Paul Zala Mix)" #1
- 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.
- "CeCe Peniston – "Finally 2008" – Global Dance Tracks". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. October 4, 2008. billboard.biz. Retrieved March 19, 2011.
#33
- "CeCe Peniston – "Finally 2008" – Global Dance Tracks". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. October 4, 2008. billboard.biz. Retrieved March 19, 2011.
- CeCe Peniston – "Finally 2008" – ARIA Australian Top Club Tracks 2008 (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. ARIA. 2008. p. 22. Retrieved March 21, 2015.
CeCe Peniston "Finally 2008" #17
- "CeCe Peniston featuring Joyriders – "Finally (Oakenfold Mix)". Karma Foundation. Perfecto Records. youtube.com. Retrieved October 6, 2011.
- "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.
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