Fontella Bass vs. Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings | Head 2 Head

In the 31^st edition of Head 2 Head (2025), Fontella Bass and Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings contend for the best rendition of “Rescue Me.”  

Welcome to Head 2 Head! On Head 2 Head, we pit at least two musicians performing the same song and compare their performances.  After deliberation, we decide which performance is the best or moves us more subjectively.  In the 31^st edition of Head 2 Head (2025), Fontella Bass and Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings contend for the best rendition of “Rescue Me”. So, without further ado, let the Head 2 Head commence!

1. Fontella Bass, “Rescue Me”

“Rescue me / Or take me in your arms / Rescue me / I want your tender charms.” One song solidified the musical legacy of Fontella Bass (1940 – 2012): “Rescue Me”.  The soul classic earned Bass her sole top 10 hit.  Ultimately, “Rescue Me” peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1965.  “Rescue Me” is special – that once-in-a-lifetime song.  It was written by Carl William Smith and Raynard Miner while Billy Davis served as the producer.

So, why did Bass need rescuing? “I need you and your love, too.” As is the case with many R&B/soul records, matters of the heart fuel the fire.  Fontella is lonely, and she wants him to save her.  “Come on and take my heart,” she sings in the second verse, “Take your love and conquer every part.” The chorus sums it up perfectly:

“Come on, baby, and rescue me

Come on, baby, and rescue me

‘Cause I need you by my side

Can’t you see that I’m lonely?

Rescue me.”

“Rescue Me” is #ICONIC.  Hearing this nearly sixty-year-old gem from The New Look never gets old.  No, R&B and pop don’t sound like this anymore, but this song right here, it endures.  Electrifying vocals, a mean musical backdrop, tuneful melodies, and memorable lyrics make this joint irresistible to the nth degree!

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2. Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, “Rescue Me”

To reiterate, “Rescue Me” is one of the great soul classics of the 1960s. Fontella Bass (1940 – 2012) did that! Few musicians can match the iconic vocal performance Bass brought to “Rescue Me.” Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings proved they were game! The retro-soul collective’s cover of  “Rescue Me” is the 10^th track from their 2020 album, Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Rendition Was In).  This album was released posthumously, as Sharon Jones passed away in 2016. Her spirit lives on in this marvelous rendition!

The Sharon Jones version of “Rescue Me” is set in a different key than the original. Another difference is song length; The Dap-Kings shave off nearly 30 seconds from the original.  Even with a short duration, “Rescue Me” cooks from the jump.  This cover is authentic to the nth degree.  The production work is fantastic, reproducing the ‘60s sound perfectly.  You would’ve thought Jones and the Dap-Kings had recorded this at the same time as Fontella Bass!  The horns are crisply articulated and possess a mean bite. The Dap-Kings match, and arguably exceed, the oomph of the horns from the original. Beyond those horns, the percussion slaps.  Sharon Jones’ soulful vocals masterfully capture the old-school aesthetic and stylings. She channels her inner Fontella like a champ! She also gets a lift from solid backing vocals, which match the excellence of the original background vocals supporting Bass. Ultimately, “Rescue Me” in the hands of Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings is not only sound but utterly sublime.  Covering a song as awesome as this one is arduous, but Jones and company make it sound easy and natural!

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The Verdict 👨🏿‍⚖️

So, who rescued the best? Was it the original, top 10 hit by Fontella Bass or the top-notch cover by  Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings?  Jones & The Dap-Kings gave their all in their cover.  Jones was soulful to the nth degree, while The Dap-Kings brought some serious oomph instrumentally. This is how you cover a classic, period. That said, Bass’ original just can’t be denied. It is one of those unforgettable ‘60s gems that still slaps well into the 2020s.

🏅 Winner: Fontella Bass

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