You don't have to say you love me - Dusty Springfield

I do have versions of this song by Michael Ball and Guys and Dolls, but the version by Dusty Springfield remains the best of all times. The original version of the song comes from Italy and was introduced at the Sanremo Festival by Pino Donaggio as 'Io che non vivo (senza te)'. The song reached the final at Sanremo and, as recorded by Donaggio, reached No. 1 in Italy in March 1965.

Dusty Springfield, who participated at the 1965 Sanremo Festival, was in the audience when Donaggio performed the song and, although she did not know the meaning of the lyrics, the song moved Springfield to tears. She obtained an acetate recording of Donaggio's song, but allowed a year to go by before actively pursuing the idea of recording an English version. English lyrics were provided by her friend Vicki Wickham together with her own friend Simon Napier-Bell. Dusty's recording became a number 1 hit in the UK and went top 10 in most of the other countries around the world.

My collection: 7" single no. 6471
Found: Discogs.com, received 6 October 2021
Cost: $2
Tracks: 'You don't have to say you love me' / 'Little by little'

I close my eyes and count to ten - Dusty Springfield

'I close my eyes and count to ten' was written by Clive Westlake. Recorded June 1, 1968 at Chappel Studios in London, Dusty Springfield's version was released that August to reach number 4 in the UK singles chart, where it ranks as one of Springfield's biggest hits: only 'I just don't know what to do with myself" (number 3) and 'You don't have to say you love me' (number 1) fared better.

It is quite rare to find such a good copy of one of Springfield's singles, so when I did, I jumped at the chance. It is one of very few 'early' Dusty Springfield singles in my collection. Well, there's always the CD box set 'Dusty', of course.

My collection: 7" single no. 5410
Found: unknown
Tracks: 'I close my eyes and count to ten' / 'No stranger am I'

Sometimes like butterflies - Dusty Springfield

Between 1971 and 1986, Dusty Springfield had no hits in the American or British charts. That is a long time by any standard. Still, she kept on releasing singles. This single, released in 1985, explains a little about her lack of good fortune. The song is a bit bland and Dusty's voice sounds a little tired - or is that just the production?

Originally recorded in 1981, this single was released in 1985 and coupled with a B-side of that year, written by Jess Bailey, Diane Schnitzer and Dusty herself. The single didn't chart. In 1987, Dusty would return to the spotlights with a little help from the Pet Shop Boys.

My collection: 7" single no. 5300
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 14, 2012
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'Sometimes like butterflies' / 'I wanna control you'

Son of a preacher man - Dusty Springfield

'Son of a Preacher Man' was recorded by Dusty Springfield in September 1968 as a track on her legendary album 'Dusty in Memphis'. Written by John Hurley and Ronnie Wilkins, the song was originally offered to Aretha Franklin, but she turned it down. Only after she'd heard Springfield's version she recorded the song herself. By that time, however, Springfield's version had already become a hit; thus, Franklin's version, included on her 1970 album, 'This girl's in love with you', ended up as a B-side of the single 'Call me' only.

Although the album 'Dusty in Memphis' was released in stereo, the singles off the album were remixed and released in mono. This single reached number 10 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 9 in the UK singles chart. I bought a sleeveless version in 2011 and a year later I found one with a picture sleeve. Sometimes one has to have a better copy of a single.

My collection: 7" single no. 5042 / no. 5319
Found: Kringloop, Haarlem, March 11, 2011 / Record fair, Utrecht, April 14, 2012
Cost: 0,25 euro / 1 euro
Tracks: 'Son of a preacher man' / 'Just a little lovin' (Early in the mornin')'

I only want to be with you - Dusty Springfield

This single is not the original release of 'I only want to be with you', but a re-release from 1987. Dusty Springfield had just had a big hit with the Pet Shop Boys ('What have I done to deserve this') and her old record company decided to cash in with a compilation album of Dusty's old hits. Did they think this single would become a hit as well?

Back in November 1963, Dusty Springfield had her first hit with this song, which peaked at number 4 in the UK singles chart. In 1987, this success was not matched: the single didn't even reach the chart. But then, the people who wanted to have it already had it in their collection most probably.

My collection: 7" single no. 5309
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 14, 2012
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'I only want to be with you' / 'Breakfast in bed'

Son of a preacher man - Dusty Springfield

'Son of a Preacher Man' was recorded by Dusty Springfield in September 1968 as a track on her legendary album 'Dusty in Memphis'. Written by John Hurley and Ronnie Wilkins, the song was originally offered to Aretha Franklin, but she turned it down. Only after she'd heard Springfield's version she recorded the song herself. By that time, however, Springfield's version had already become a hit; thus, Franklin's version, included on her 1970 album, 'This girl's in love with you', ended up as a B-side of the single 'Call me' only.

Although the album 'Dusty in Memphis' was released in stereo, the singles off the album were remixed and released in mono. This single reached number 10 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 9 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 5042
Found: Kringloop, Haarlem, March 11, 2011
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Son of a preacher man' / 'Just a little lovin' (Early in the mornin')'

Something in your eyes - Dusty Springfield and Richard Carpenter

Dusty Springfield's collaboration with Richard Carpenter must have seemed a strange move after she gained street credibility with the Pet Shop Boys. The single, taken from Carpenter's album 'Time', his first project since the death of his sister Karen, didn't repeat the success of 'What have I done to deserve this?' when it was released in October 1987. It only managed one week in the UK singles chart, at number 89.

If it was released several years later, when the Carpenters were back in vogue again, it's quite possible that it would have been a bigger hit.

My collection: 7" single no. 4966
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 31, 2010
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Something in your eyes' / 'Time'

What have I done to deserve this? - Pet Shop Boys with Dusty Springfield

The Pet Shop Boys recorded a duet with Dusty Springfield in 1987. It was released as the second single from their 1987 album 'Actually'. The single reached number 2 in the UK singles chart, the US Billboard Hot 100 and the Dutch Top 40. (What a coincidence!)

The song's success helped revive Springfield's career and led to a resurgence of interest in her music. Following this duet, the Pet Shop Boys wrote and produced the singles 'Nothing has been proved' and 'In private' for Springfield.

My collection: 7" single no. 1641
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, May 3, 1992
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'What have I done to deserve this?' / 'A new life'

Arrested by you - Dusty Springfield

'Arrested by you' was the last single taken from Dusty Springfield's 1990 album 'Reputation'. Although the track resembled some of the more laidback Pet Shop Boys tracks, it was actually prouced by the unknown producer Paul Staveley O'Duffy.

The single was not a big success, stalling at number 70 during a two week chart run in the UK singles chart. Dusty Springfield disappeared from the scene once again, resurfacing only three years later with 'Heart and soul', a duet with Cilla Black.

My collection: 7" single no. 3057
Found: House of Rhythm, London, May 9, 1993
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Arrested by you' / 'Arrested by you (instrumental)'

Reputation - Dusty Springfield

After her success with the Pet Shop Boys in 1987 and 1989, Dusty Springfield finally returned to recording music after an absence from the music business for almost 20 years. The resulting album, 'Reputation' was released in June 1990. The album included the previous two hits 'Nothing has been proved' and 'In private'. This single, 'Reputation' was the title track and the first single by Springfield circa 1990 that was not produced by the Pet Shop Boys.

Perhaps that was why the single only managed to reach number 38 in the UK singles chart. Meanwhile, the album reached number 18 in the UK albums chart, finally resurrecting Springfield's career once and for all.

My collection: 7" single no. 2436
Found: Concerto, Amsterdam, August 19, 1985
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Reputation' / 'Rep u dub 1'

In private - Dusty Springfield

Dusty Springfield released 'In private' in late 1989. Just like her previous two hits, the track was produced by the Pet Shop Boys, who had a big hand in her glorious comeback in 1987. 'In private' appeared on Springfield's 1990 album 'Reputation'.

The single reached number 9 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 14 in the UK singles chart. Although she released a handful of further singles, Dusty Springfield would never break the top 20 in the UK again.

My collection: 7" single no. 1155
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, January 30, 1990
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'In private' / 'In private (instrumental)'

Nothing has been proved - Dusty Springfield

'Nothing has been proved' (1989) was a single by Dusty Springfield, written and produced by the Pet Shop Boys. The song was their second collaboration, following their hit song 'What have I done to deserve this?' in 1987. It features an orchestral arrangement by Angelo Badalamenti and a tenor saxophone solo by Courtney Pine.

The song was composed for the 1989 movie 'Scandal', an account of the so called Profumo Affair, a British public scandal in 1963 which profoundly affected the ruling Conservative Party government. The lyrics of the song describe the actual course of the events and mention the main characters involved; Mandy Rice-Davies, Christine Keeler and Stephen Ward.

The single made number 16 in the UK singles chart and number 18 in the Dutch Top 40. In the UK, a limited edition single with a gatefold sleeve was released (pictured below). I didn't know about this release until I found it in a second hand shop seven years after its original release...

My collection: 7" single no. 774 / no. 2766
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, March 18, 1989 / House of Rhythm, London, October 29, 1996
Cost: 6 guilders / 40p
Tracks: 'Nothing has been proved' / 'Nothing has been proved (instrumental)'