Rescue Me (Fontella Bass song)

Single infobox
Name = Rescue Me


Artist = Fontella Bass
from Album = The New Look
B-side = "Soul of the Man"
Released = 1965
Format = 7" single
Recorded =
Genre = Soul
Length = 2:51
Label = Chess
Writer = Raynard Miner, Carl Smith
Producer =
Certification =
Chart position =

#4 (U.S.)

#11 (UK)

Last single = "You'll Miss Me (When I'm Gone)" (with Bobby McClure)
(1965)
This single = "Rescue Me"
(1965)
Next single = "Recovery"
(1965)

Single infobox
Name = Rescue Me


Artist = Cher
from Album = Dark Lady
B-side = "Dixie Girl"
Released = 1974
Format = 7" single
Recorded = 1974
Genre = Pop
Length = 2:24
Label = MCA
Writer = Raynard Miner, Carl Smith
Producer = Snuff Garrett
Certification =
Last single = "I Saw A Man And He Danced With His Wife"
(1974)
This single = "Rescue Me"
(1974)
Next single = "These Days"
(1975)

"Rescue Me" is a song written by Raynard Miner and Carl Smith. In 1965, it was released as a single by Fontella Bass. It would prove the biggest hit of Bass's career, placing at number four on the Billboard Hot 100, as well as hitting number eleven on the UK Singles Chart.

The hit version of the song is often misattributed to Aretha Franklin, another singer with gospel training who has a similar style to that of Bass. In 1993, Franklin did record a portion of "Rescue Me" (with a very similar arrangement to Bass' original) for an American Express commercial.

Other versions

* In 1976, Melissa Manchester had some success when she released her version as a single.

* Other artists to record this song include Elkie Brooks, Tom Jones, Ann Peebles, Diana Ross, and Linda Ronstadt. Pat Benatar recorded the song in 1994 for the soundtrack to the film "Speed".

* John Lennon included the song in his jukebox. It was also included in the related compilation album.

* Kristy Lee Cook also covered this song during American Idol (season 7)

Cher version

"Rescue Me" was released as a U.S. promo single by Cher from the album "Dark Lady".