James is apologizing for: dissing Beyoncé's inaugural rendition of her song "At Last," implying that someone should whup her ass, claiming that Barack Obama was not her president, etc. Hey, when you lay it all out end-to-end like that, it kinda does seem like a lot to apologize for—not that its attendant publicity blitz is any cause for remorse. James is now saying that those insults are just a product of her dry sense of humor:

"I didn't really mean anything," James said. "Even as a little child, I've always had that comedian kind of attitude. ... That's probably what went into it."

Still, James acknowledged being miffed she wasn't invited to perform her signature song for Obama's first dance with his wife on inauguration night.

James said she was "feeling left out of something that was basically mine, that I had done every time you look around."

She said she liked Beyoncé's performance, but when asked if she thought she could have done better, James answered, "I think so. That's a shame to say that."

But don't worry: she still will!

[Photo Credit: AP]

• Etta James truly miffed about Obama snub, but was kidding about disliking Beyonce [NY Daily News]

James seems awfully sore that Beyonce got the Inauguration nod instead of her, and made no bones about that fact at a concert last week in Seattle. "I can't stand Beyoncé," she muttered to the audience. "She has no business standing up there singing that song." James also threatened violence toward the singer and claimed that Obama was "not my president," a Secret Service-tempting taunt that the audience, so ready to hoot at Beyoncé, knew less what to make of. Beware, Miss Knowles: when the full moon wanes, and a suddenly-itchy leather bustier signals your transformation from Sasha Fierce back into the terribly ordinary Beyoncé, Etta James will be ready to pounce!

• AUDIO-Etta James to Beyoncé: I'll Whoop Your Ass! [YouTube]