Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Rescue Me | COVERS

In the 27^th edition of COVERS (2025), Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings deliver a compelling rendition of “Rescue Me,” originally performed by Fontella Bass.  

Ah, it’s time to get cozy and cover up! In COVERS, we highlight a musician or band covering songs by another musician (likely a popular musician). COVERS focuses solely on the musician who covers.  It is open to established musicians and musicians who may not be as well-known. In the 27^th  edition of COVERS (2025), Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings deliver a compelling rendition of “Rescue Me”, originally performed by Fontella Bass.   

“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 one of the great soul classics of the 1960s. Fontella Bass (1940 – 2012) did that! Carl William Smith and Raynard Miner penned the gem. 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!