Fontella Bass (born July 3, 1940 in St. Louis, Missouri - died December 26,… Read Full Bio ↴Fontella Bass (born July 3, 1940 in St. Louis, Missouri - died December 26, 2012 in St. Louis, Missouri) was an American soul and rnb singer, recording the iconic hit "Rescue Me" in 1965. The daughter of gospel singer Martha Bass (of the Clara Ward Singers), Bass was exposed to music at an early age. She was singing in her church's choir at just six years old.

As a teenager, Bass was attracted by more secular music. Throughout high school she began singing contemporary R&B songs at local contests and fairs. In 1961, Bass found steady work on the local Leon Claxton Show, playing piano and singing in the chorus. She also began playing piano on blues vocalist Little Milton's records. With the support of Bob Lyons, the manager of St. Louis station KATZ, Bass recorded several songs released through Bobbin Records. She saw no notable success outside her home town, however.

Two years later, she moved to Chicago after a dispute with Little Milton. She auditioned for Chess Records, who immediately signed her as a recording artist. Her first works with the label were several duets with blues singer Bobby McClure, also a newcomer to the label. Released early in 1965, "Don't Mess Up a Good Thing" found immediate success, reaching the top five at R&B radio and peaking at #33 at pop. They followed their early success with "You'll Miss Me (When I'm Gone)" that summer, a song that had mild success, reaching the top 30 at R&B, but barely charting at pop.

After a brief tour, Bass returned to the studio. The result was an original composition with an aggressive bass and drum work by Maurice White, of the future Earth, Wind, & Fire. The song, "Rescue Me," shot up the charts in the fall and winter of 1965. After a month-long run at the top of the R&B charts, the song reached #4 at the pop charts.

She followed with "Recovery," which did moderately well, peaking at #13 at R&B and #37 at pop in early 1966. The same year brought two more R&B hits, "I Can't Rest" (backed with "I Surrender)" and "You'll Never Know." Her only album with Chess Records, The New Look, sold reasonably well, but Bass decided to leave the label after only two years, in 1967.

In 1970 Bass recorded two albums with the Art Ensemble of Chicago, The Art Ensemble of Chicago with Fontella Bass and Les Stances A Sophie. The latter was the soundtrack from the French movie of the same title. Bass' vocals, backed by the powerful, pulsating push of the band has allowed the Theme De YoYo to remain an underground cult classic ever since.

The next few years found Bass at a number of different labels, but saw no notable successes. After her second album, Free, flopped in 1972, Bass retired from music. She returned occasionally, being featured as a background vocalist on several recordings, including those of her husband, Lester Bowie, a jazz trumpeter and member of the Art Ensemble of Chicago. In the 1990s she hosted a short-lived Chicago radio talk show, and has released several gospel records on independent labels.

Like many outstanding artists of her time, Bass experienced a revival of interest. Her still-powerful tones can be heard on the 2002 Cinematic Orchestra album, 'Everyday'.

She has been inducted into the St. Louis Walk of Fame. She is the older sister of R&B singer David Peaston, who was a former Showtime at the Apollo champion.

Fontella Bass, 72, died of heart-attack complications in her home town of St. Louis, Missouri, 26 December 2012. She is survived by four children.

Discography

Albums

* The New Look (1966, Chess) US: #93
* Les Stances A Sophie , with the Art Ensemble of Chicago (1970, Nessa Records)
* The Art Ensemble of Chicago with Fontella Bass, (Prestige Records, 1970)
* Free (1972, Paula)
* From The Root To The Source (1980)
* No Ways Tired (1995, Nonesuch)
* Now That I Found a Good Thing (1996, Jewel)
* Travelin (2001, Justin Time)

Singles

* "Don't Mess Up a Good Thing" (1965, Chess) R&B: #5 US: #33 with Bobby McClure
* "You'll Miss Me (When I'm Gone)" (1965) R&B: #27 US: #91 with Bobby McClure
* "Rescue Me" (1965) R&B: #1 US: #4 UK: #11
* "Recovery" (1966) R&B: #13 US: #37 UK: #32
* "Safe and Sound" (1966) US: #100 (b-side of "Recovery")
* "I Can't Rest" (1966) R&B: #31
* "I Surrender" (1966) R&B: #33 US: #78 (b-side of "I Can't Rest")
* "You'll Never Know" (1966) R&B: #34

I Surrender
Fontella Bass Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I surrender
I give my love to you
I surrender
You say you love me too

You gave your heart (your heart)
And your soul (your soul)
You said your love for me

Will never grow old

Well, I'm reeling
Yes, I'm reeling
And I surrender
My heart's reeling
And I surrender

I want your love as much
As you want mine
So keep on loving me, yeah

Cause I surrender
Want you to be my guy
Cause your love makes
My magic sigh

You gave your heart (your heart)
And your soul (your soul)
You said your love for me
Will never grow old

Well, I'm reeling
Yes, I'm reeling
And I surrender
My heart's reeling
And I surrender

I want your love as much
As you want mine
So keep on loving me, yeah

Cause I surrender
Welcome to my love
Welcome, baby
Let's make it hand and glove

Don't ever leave me
Just try and please me
So keep on loving me, yeah

Well, I surrender
I give my love to you
I surrender
You said you love me too

You gave your heart (your heart)
And your soul (your soul)
You said your love for me
Will never grow old

Well, I'm reeling
Yes, I'm reeling
And I surrender
My heart's reeling

Makes me yours
(Makes me yours)
Makes me yours
(I'll be yours)
So keep on loving me, yeah

Take my lips (I surrender)
Take my arms (I surrender)
Take my heart (I surrender)
Take my soul (I surrender)

Cause I surrender
(Take my love)

Overall Meaning

"I Surrender" by Fontella Bass is a love song that expresses the singer's willingness to surrender her heart, soul and love to her lover. The lyrics express a deep vulnerability and a desire for reciprocal love. The first verse begins with the singer declaring her surrender to her lover, giving her love to him and stating that he also loves her. The second verse is dedicated to the lover who has already given his heart and soul and promised his love for eternity. The repetition of "your heart" and "your soul" emphasizes the depth of the lover's devotion to the singer.

The chorus of "I Surrender" expresses the singer's feeling of being "reeling" and vulnerable, but also communicates her willingness to surrender her heart and soul completely to her lover. The singer wants her lover's love as much as he wants hers and asks him to keep loving her. The third verse welcomes her lover to her world of love and invites him to become one with her. The singer pleads with her lover not to leave her and to keep on loving her. The repetition of "I surrender" throughout the song conveys the singer's deep desire to submit to her lover's love.

Line by Line Meaning

I surrender
I am willing to give myself fully to you

I give my love to you
I am giving you all of my love

You say you love me too
You claim to love me as well

You gave your heart (your heart)
You entrusted me with your heart

And your soul (your soul)
You have given me your entire being

You said your love for me
You have declared your love for me

Will never grow old
Your love for me will remain strong

I'm reeling
I am overwhelmed by emotions

My heart's reeling
My heart is overwhelmed

I want your love as much
I desire your love just as much

As you want mine
As much as you desire my love