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
Recovery
Fontella Bass Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm falling again happiness is in my heart, yeah
Though you misuse me, and false accuse me
I've gotten to understand.
You treated me like a heart that was used
But I've gotten over you
My heart is free it's my recovery
I'm feeling better.
I feel good inside the heartache and pain have gone, yeah
You want my love, but next time you come along, yeah
You treated me like a heart that was used
But I've gotten over you
My heart is free it's my recovery
I'm feeling better. (Recovery)
So much better.
I've got peace of mind this heartache I've left behind, yeah
(Left behind, yeah)
And now I'm laughing and you'll never catch me crying, yeah
You treated me like a heart that was used
But I've gotten over you
My heart is free it's my recovery
I'm feeling better. (Recovery)
So much better.
Recovery, my heart is free
Feeling better (feeling better)
So much better (so much better)
Feeling better (feeling better)
I feel, I feel...
Mmm mmm hmm (Mmm mmm hmm)
Mmm mmm hmm (Mmm mmm hmm)
Hmm hmm (Hmm hmm)
Mmm hmm hmm hmm (Mmm hmm hmm hmm)
Submitted by Michael Hack
The song Recovery by Fontella Bass is all about moving on and recovering from a toxic relationship. The first verse expresses the singer's feeling of falling again and finding happiness in her heart despite being mistreated and falsely accused by her previous partner. However, she has come to understand that she has been misused and treated like a heart that was used, but now she has gotten over it, and her heart is free, leading to her recovery and feeling much better.
The second verse highlights the singer's newfound peace of mind, having left behind the heartache and pain caused by her previous partner. She is now laughing and enjoying life, and her ex can never catch her crying again. The repetition of the phrase "feeling better" throughout the song reinforces the message of the singer embracing her recovery and finding happiness once again.
In summary, Fontella Bass's Recovery song is an uplifting and empowering message for anyone who has ever been in a toxic relationship. It encourages them to move on and embrace life free from any heartache and pain caused by their previous partner.
Line by Line Meaning
Ooh baby, recovery
The singer is celebrating her newfound emotional recovery.
I'm falling again happiness is in my heart, yeah
The singer is reminded of what it feels like to be truly happy again.
Though you misuse me, and false accuse me
The singer is acknowledging how she was wronged by her former lover.
I've gotten to understand.
Despite her former lover's actions, the singer has come to a place of understanding and acceptance.
You treated me like a heart that was used
The singer is reflecting on how her lover took advantage of her heart and emotions.
But I've gotten over you
The singer has moved on and is no longer affected by her former lover's mistreatment.
My heart is free it's my recovery
The singer has found emotional freedom and is healing from the hurt her lover caused.
I'm feeling better.
Overall, the singer is in a better and happier place now.
I feel good inside the heartache and pain have gone, yeah
The singer is relishing in the absence of the pain and heartache that she experienced from her past relationship.
You want my love, but next time you come along, yeah
The singer is addressing her former lover directly, telling them that they won't be able to take advantage of her again.
I've got peace of mind this heartache I've left behind, yeah
The singer has moved on and is no longer burdened by the painful memories of her past relationship.
(Left behind, yeah)
The singer is emphasizing the fact that she has moved on from the past and has left behind the heartache and pain.
And now I'm laughing and you'll never catch me crying, yeah
The singer is no longer crying or upset about her previous relationship, but rather is able to laugh and enjoy life again.
Recovery, my heart is free
The singer is emphasizing her newfound emotional freedom and recovery.
Feeling better (feeling better)
The singer is feeling much better emotionally and is no longer weighed down by the hurt of her past relationship.
So much better (so much better)
The singer is emphasizing just how far she has come emotionally and how much better she is feeling now compared to before.
I feel, I feel...
The singer is expressing raw emotion and is feeling a range of feelings due to her emotional recovery.
Mmm mmm hmm (Mmm mmm hmm)
The singer is voicing her happiness and contentment with her current emotional state.
Hmm hmm (Hmm hmm)
The singer is making affirmative sounds in response to her newfound emotional freedom and happiness.
Mmm hmm hmm hmm (Mmm hmm hmm hmm)
The singer is expressing her joy and delight at how much better she is feeling now after having gone through a difficult emotional experience.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: DEAN GARCIA, TONI HALLIDAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Eric Walker
December 1965. This song reminds me when my mother left this world. I was eight years old and i remember this playing on the radio in Tuskegee Alabama. My mother suffered from asthma and yet she fought it like a champion. Now for 53 years she has been in recovery in heaven. Miss you and love you much mama. Evelyn Zelda Douglas Walker 6/26/24-12/20/65
siobhan quinn
💞💞
Peter Lambert
This was the follow-up to "Rescue Me"___I'm surprised it wasn't another hit.
Suzanne Corcoran
Was in my eyes - I LOVED IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Peter Lambert
@Suzanne Corcoran Hello Suzanne , thanks for your comment .The "b" sides of these discs were very good.Did she give up smoking a pipe?.
Horizon Today
It was a hit!
cowboy
Wow ty gaynor this is fantastic
Bernie Jackson
🗣️🐝 girlllllllll 👁️ wish you could set my ❤️ free, what a recovery that would 🐝 my 👸.
.......YKW😍😘😍🥰❤️🧡♥️💓💙❣️ oxoxox's