The Hit Songs of Dusty Springfield: 1960s and Beyond
Richard is a freelance writer and blogger who enjoys all forms of entertainment, including movies, music, and television.
Philips Records (Public Domain)
The Best of Dusty Springfield
In my humble opinion, Dusty Springfield's hit songs have rightly been cited as among the best by any British female singer of her generation.
Starting out as a member of the Springfields, she progressed to a solo career in the 1960s and was at the forefront of the British Invasion, enjoying success in both the USA and the UK.
Although not immediately recognisable in her earlier recordings, her preference for the soul music coming out of America became more apparent as her career blossomed. She has been credited with introducing the Motown Sound to the UK; when on TV in the 1960s she hosted a showcase of the music, singing along with Martha Reeves.
You can hear that soulfulness in many of the songs featured here, all of which appeared on the British music charts of the time. During the 1960s, there was sometimes a discrepancy between the Dusty Springfield songs released as singles in the UK and the USA. Therefore, there may be tracks missing here that were popular in the States which were not so in Britain, and vice versa.
However, there is no denying the popularity of Dusty Springfield—not only in the 1960s but also during her comeback in the '80s and '90s. If, like me, you enjoy the output of one of the finest popular singers the UK has produced, then you are in for a treat!
1963: "I Only Want to Be With You"
Dusty's first hit in the UK was this Number 4 song written by Mike Hawker and Ivor Raymonde.
Unequivocally catchy, Dusty delivers a full blooded vocal full of defiance that, at the time, had not been matched by many female singers in the rock era.
With the beginnings of the British Invasion taking place in the US, it also became her first hit record in America too.
Hit Songs of 1965
"Your Hurtin' Kinda Love": A minor Top Forty hit in the UK, this was nevertheless another Dusty vocal tour-de-force, as she infuses her soulful voice into a standard pop-style Sixties song.
"In the Middle of Nowhere": Another huge hit in the UK that missed the mark in the US, the song is an uptempo "growler" from Dusty that made the Top Ten in July.
"Some of Your Lovin'": Written by the famed songwriting team of Gerry Goffin and Carole King, this song became Dusty Springfield's favourite performance and was another Top 10 hit in October.
"Your Hurtin' Kinda Love"
"In the Middle of Nowhere"
"Some of Your Lovin'"
"Little By Little": 1966 was to be Dusty Springfield's most successful year singles wise. This first hit of the year really did not indicate the direction in which she was headed, but it nevertheless gave her a rock inspired Top 20 hit.
"You Don't Have to Say You Love Me": Surprisingly, this was Dusty's only ever UK Number One hit. Originally an Italian song entitled "Lo Che Non Vivo (Senza Te)," it was given an English lyric full of unrequited love in which she gives one of her finest vocal performances.
"Goin' Back": Not released as a single in the US, if pushed, this is quite possibly my favourite of Dusty Springfield's songs. Another track penned by Gerry Goffin and Carole King, Dusty's rendition will surely break your heart. It peaked at Number 10 in July.
"All I See Is You": Dusty is still in distress as the lyrics prove with this emotional ballad that saw it rise up the British charts to a peak of Number 9 in October.
"You Don't Have to Say You Love Me"
"Goin' Back"
"All I See Is You"
"I'll Try Anything": A return to an uptempo Dusty, this song was more reflective of her soul preferences, sounding somewhat like the Tamla Motown sound that she was happy to promote. However, it broke a streak of three UK Top 10 hits by only peaking at Number 13.
"Give Me Time": This tearjerker followed later in 1967, but by this time the record-buying public's attention was being drawn to the Summer of Love and not impassioned ballads. Still a fine recording, though it did not perform well in the music charts, peaking at a lowly Number 24. It became the B-Side of her American hit The Look of Love.
"I'll Try Anything"
"I Close My Eyes and Count to Ten": Dusty Springfield returned to the UK Top Five with this plaintive mid tempo number that produced yet another fine vocal performance.
"Son of a Preacher Man": This would be Dusty Springfield's last UK Top 10 hit for eighteen years, but it seems she saved the best for last. As the 1960s came to a close, she finally recorded several songs in a genre that was close to her heart, with musicians whom she admired. "Son of a Preacher Man" was lifted from one of the best albums of the decade: Dusty in Memphis.
"I Close My Eyes and Count to Ten"
"Son of a Preacher Man"
In Collaboration With the Pet Shop Boys: Hits From the 1980s & 1990s
In the late 1980s, pop-synth duo the Pet Shop Boys rediscovered Dusty Springfield and featured her on their latest single of the time, "What Have I Done to Deserve This?" This led to a revival in her career and saw her appear in both the UK and US music charts into the early 1990s.
Several of these hit songs were either written and/or produced by The Pet Shop Boys and are included here. They are "Nothing Has Been Proved," "In Private," "Reputation," and "Arrested By You" which were all taken from her UK Top Twenty album: Reputation & Rarities.
"What Have I Done to Deserve This?"
"Nothing Has Been Proved"
"In Private"
"Reputation"
"Arrested By You"
Goin' Back: The Springfields
For the sake of completeness, it would be remiss to forget about Dusty's contribution to the Springfields' successful output of the early 1960s.
Included here are the group's two major British hits, "Island of Dreams" and "Say I Won't Be There", along with their US-only hit "Silver Threads and Golden Needles".
"Say I Won't Be There"
"Silver Threads and Golden Needles"
Question: Did Dusty Springfield sing Another Piece of My Heart?
Answer: Yes, it's included on the album entitled Dusty... Definitely.
© 2011 Richard
Do You Enjoy Dusty Springfield's Songs? - Your Comments Are Welcomed
Hendrika from Pretoria, South Africa on December 03, 2014:
O, I enjoyed this soooo much. It is not only the lovely music, but look at that hair, clothes and eye makeup. Fun going back in time with this lovely music
flyboy1955 on October 09, 2014:
I remember her songs as I grew up through the 60's but never knew or understood who this remarkable and gorgeous woman singer was !
She definitely set the pace for future generations of female singers , an irresistible and unique singing style , she was way ahead for her time .
Thank God for Dusty Springfield aka Mary O'Brien ..........
Mark W Kuglin from Imperial Beach, California and Ensenada, Mexico on August 08, 2014:
I was only familiar with a few of her tracks. Thank you for taking the time to explore her catolog for the rest of us to enjoy.
Merry Citarella from Oregon's Southern Coast on May 27, 2014:
'You Don't Have to Say you Love me' was always my favorite! I hadn't thought of her for years. What a sweet reminder of a lovely singer! Great idea for a lens too! Thanks for putting it together
Donna Cook on March 21, 2014:
Fabulous lens! As a baby boomer, I remember her astounding voice coming from AM radio stations. A singer for the ages.
lesliesinclair on October 22, 2013:
It was always fun to her hear songs, but I lost track of her long ago. You've brought back some memeories.
Lisa Marie Gabriel from United Kingdom on September 17, 2013:
Son of a preacher man is a personal favourite of mine
opatoday on August 23, 2013:
this really took be back, thanks :)
Meganhere on August 19, 2013:
She was awesome.
Ruthi on August 14, 2013:
Love Dusty and all of her tunes I listened to as a teen but my favorite is You Don't Have to Say You Love Me!
Brilliant well done, been a fan since 60's and still am. All time Fav 'Going Back' followed by 'All I see is you' what a singer. sorely missed
Colin323 on July 17, 2013:
I saw her perform live at the Ilford Mecca ballroom(east London) in the early 1960s; great singer, with an excellent stage presence
Lisa Auch from Scotland on July 16, 2013:
You don't have to say you love me! Is a classic, I love Dustys' voice.
Meganhere on June 23, 2013:
I've loved Dusty for years. My fave? You Don't Have to Say You Love Me. She had an amazing voice. Nice lens.
Mary Norton from Ontario, Canada on April 07, 2013:
Want to listen to her.
wow never heard of her before what an excellent singer , ill be adding her music to my collection !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ah what a blast form the past - my favourite Dusty Springfield song has to be You Don't Have to Say You Love me :)
JeffGilbert on February 05, 2013:
Dusty doesn't get credit she deserves. She was one of the original "girl" singers from the early 60s and had a string of tunes that were all number 1 hits. I'm glad that the pet shop boys worked with her in the 80s. Great lens!!! :)
poppy mercer from London on January 21, 2013:
What a voice that girl had! I've always thought it a pity that she was limited to that narrow niche that white girl singers of the sixties seemed to fall into. The catalogue she left is amazing, but I always wonder what else she might have done had she dropped the violins and high production.
BelleBanks on December 27, 2012:
My dad used to listen to all her older songs when I was younger. I still love her songs today. She had so many songs that I like, but my favorite would have to be Wishin and Hopin.
gregs411 on October 04, 2012:
I had almost forgotten about Dusty. Love her songs. Thanks!
anonymous on August 17, 2012:
Great lens! I like Dusty Springfield. My favorite song of hers is "I Think It's Gonna Rain Today." Thanks for posting this.
I wish you wouldn't have stressed that Ms. Springfield was British. I wanted so much to claim her as a home-girl, born in the USA. What can I say? Britain always had talent!! :)
Malu Couttolenc on October 03, 2011:
So many wonderful hits by Dusty Springfield. Superb page :)
Nancy Carol Brown Hardin from Las Vegas, NV on September 23, 2011:
Wonderful! I loved Dusty Springfield too. I Only Want to Be With You and You Don't Have to Say You Love Me especially appealed to me at that time. Thanks for sharing another trip down memory lane.
gamecheathub on September 21, 2011:
THIS LENS IS FANTASTIC!!!!!!!
Carol Fisher from Warminster, Wiltshire, UK on September 18, 2011:
What a trip down memory lane. I loved the Springfields when I was a schoolgirl and remember when the group broke up - it was a real shock. I loved Dusty throughout her career and was so sad when she died. In later years she was never as big a star as she deserved to be. Blessed.
Kathy McGraw from California on September 18, 2011:
What a good collection of remberances of Dusty Springfield's hit songs! I remember the preacher man one the most.
Wednesday-Elf from Savannah, Georgia on September 17, 2011:
Fun to take a musical walk down memory lane with Dusty Springfield. WordCustard wasn't around to appreciate Dusty in the 1960s, but I was! :) I always enjoy your stories about the music of MY era!
yayas on September 17, 2011:
I truly enjoyed reading The Hit Songs of Dusty Springfield. Dusty sang songs that touched the heart an' I learned quite a bit about her on this page. I'm so glad you wrote about her, as I had only been able to hear her songs at long intervals an' it was nice to be able to hear summa' the won'erful songs that she sang. Thank you.
Indigo Janson from UK on September 17, 2011:
It was great to discover Dusty here. She was before my time and I didn't know before now that she was the singer with the Pet Shop Boys on What Have I Done to Deserve This? A very interesting look at her career.
Cynthia Sylvestermouse from United States on September 17, 2011:
Gotta love Dusty! I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the videos. I can't believe you found so many great oldies to feature! She's a remarkable talent and this was a great walk back in music history. She had beautiful legs too! lol I can imagine that little black mini skirt was a real hit :)