10 Greatest Hits of Dusty Springfield

She had proved herself in the music industry by charting several 1960s hits. So, we at Music, have come up with a list of the 10 greatest hits by Dusty Springfield.

"Its marvellous to be popular, but foolish to think it will last."

― Dusty Springfield

Mary Isobel Catherine Bernadette O'Brien is a name that not many people are aware of. This is the birth name of world-renowned English pop singer Dusty Springfield. She has to her credit some of the best pop songs that have topped the charts worldwide.

Born on April 16, 1939, in London, England, her love for music came early, and she teamed up with her older brother, Dion, singing in their garage and recording their performance. By the late '50s, the duo started performing in front of live audiences.

Her brother had started working with a vocalist Tim Field, and the trio were inspired by his last name, hence the name Springfield. They even adopted stage names for themselves, Mary was known as Dusty Springfield, and Dion as Tom Springfield.

In late 1963, Dusty started her solo career. Her 1963 hit I only want to be with you ranked no. 4 in the U.K., and no. 12 in the U.S. Between 1965 and 1968, she recorded many hit songs like Little by Little, Some of your lovin, and her very famous song You don't have to say you love me.

However, her career nosedived when she started doing drugs, yet she rocked the charts by teaming up with Pet Shop Boys. In 1998, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame, She passed away on March 2, 1999, due to cancer.

Here is the top 10 songs by Dusty Springfield.

You Don't Have To Say You Love Me (1966)

You don't have to say you love me
Just be close at hand
You don't have to stay forever
I will understand

This song proved to be the most successful song of her career, it topped the charts in the U.K., reached no. 4 in the U.S. It was in the top ten list in Ireland, the track was originally written with Italian lyrics and was a no.1 hit in Italy in 1965.

Dusty sang the Italian version at the 1965 San Remo Festival, but waited a year to record its English version. She talks about the pain a person has to go through when in a breakup. The song's lyrics are very touchy and emotional. So, people who are heart-broken, I highly recommend this song!

Wishin' and Hopin' (1964)

So if you're lookin' to find love you can share
All you gotta do is
Hold him and kiss him and love him
And show him that you care
Show him that you care just for him

Written by Hal David and Burt Bacharach and was in the top 10 hit for the artist, the song was first believed to be recorded by Dionne Warwick and later recorded by Dusty Springfield.The song entered the top ten chart to appear on the Billboard Hot 100.

Though not a major hit, this song was strongly identified by her fans. This song was popular in Australia, New Zealand. It was also featured in Grey's Anatomy, and featured in the film,A home at the end of the World. It's a very popular love song which talks about how you can win a man's heart.

Son of a Preacher Man (1968)

When they gathered around and started talkin'
That's when Billy would take me walkin'
Out through the backyard we'd go walkin'
Then he'd look into my eyes
Lord knows, to my surprise

A popular number from the album Dusty in Memphis, it was penned by John Hurley and Ronnie Wilkins. Aretha Franklin turned down the rights to record this song, which was later recorded by her elder sister Erma Franklin and the same was included in her 1969 Soul Sister album.

Springfield's version was produced by Jerry Wexler, Arif Mardin, and, Tom Dawd. The song became an international hit, ranking No.10 in the U.S. And No. 9 in the U.K. It stayed in the top ten charts for 20 years.

It was performed by Mellissa Manchester as a tribute to Dusty Springfield, also, Manchester is currently in the process of recording the same song for her album You Gotta Love The Life.

I Only Want To Be With You (1963)

I don't know what it is that makes me love you so.
I only know I never want to let you go
'Cause you started something, can't you see.
Ever since we met you've had a hold on me.
It happens to be true, I only want to be with you.

Composed by Mike Hawker and Ivory Raymonde, she was still a part of the Springfield group when this song was recorded. It was produced by her longtime producer Johnny Franz.. It's a romantic number wherein, the girl is madly in love with this guy, she expresses how she feels when she is with him and how she only wants to be with him.

The lyrics for this song are simple and plain, this song was special for Springfield as it was her first solo song. This track has been rerecorded by many artists like Bay City Rollers (1976), Samantha Fox (1988).

This song was a massive hit reaching No. 4 in the U.K. and No. 12 in the U.S. During the British invasion, Dusty was the second artist, after The Beatles to be so popular, ranking No.77 on the Billboard chart in January, 1964.

The lyrics for this song are simple and plain, this song was special for Springfield as it was her first solo song. This track has been rerecorded by many artists like Bay City Rollers (1976), Samantha Fox (1988).

I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself (1964)

I just don't know what to do with myself
I don't know what to do with myself
planning everything for two
doing everything with you
and now that we're through
I just don't know what to do

This song is her third U.K. single release.Another breakup song, this song talks in great detail about what a woman goes through after their breakup, the mourning period, etc. It was her first single U.K. release, it was released in the U.S. in the year 1965.

The same song has been recorded by Isaac Hayes, The Dells, The Photos, Cissy Houston. It was released by the American alternative band The White Stripes. In 2011, Ronan Keating included this song in his album "When Ronan met Burt".

I Close My Eyes And Count To Ten (1968)

I close my eyes and count to ten
And when I open them you're still here
I close my eyes and count again
I can't believe it but you're still here

Written by Clive Westlake, this song was released in August 1968, and is considered to be one of Dusty's biggest hits. The song was used in a Hollyoaks episode (20th september, 2007). There are many cover versions available for this song, some famous covers include Karen Noble, Paul Young.

It outranked her previous solo records, and reached no. 4 in the U.K. Charts.

What Have I Done To Deserve This? (1987)

I brought you drinks, I brought you flowers,
I read your books and talked for hours ev'ry day.
So many drinks, such pretty flow'rs, so tell me.
What have I, what have I, what have I done to deserve this?

She made her comeback with this song, in collaboration with English synthpop duo Pet Shop Boys, they performed this song for the 1988 Brit Awards. The song helped her to revive her career and increase her enthusiasm in her music.

It was released in 1987, and reserved its place at no. 2 in the U.K. Charts. At the 2009 Brit Awards, Pet Shop Boys performed the same song with Lady Gaga. This song has also been sung in Cantonese by Hong Kong singer Prudence Liew.

Nothing Has Been Proved (1989)

Mandy's in the papers 'cause she tried to go to Spain
She'll soon be in the dock and in the papers once again
Vicki's got her story about the mirror and the cane
It may be false, it may be true but nothing has been proved

Produced by the Pet Shop Boys, another collaboration with Dusty Springfield, this song ranked no. 2 position in both the U.K. and the U.S. charts. It was composed mainly for the 1989 movie Scandal, the lyrics of the song narrate the story of the movie.

It was also included in her album Reputation, which was released in the year 1990. It reached No. 16 on the U.K. chart, which led to further success in her career.

A Brand New Me (1970)

I was the same old me
With the same old blues
Then you touched my life
Just by holding my hand
Now I look in the mirror
And see a brand new girl

Released in January 1970, a brand new me was the sixth album by Springfield. Recorded in late 1969, it's believed to be the only album in which every song was produced by the same production team.

This track reached no. 3 on the U.S. chart; however, this track achieved average success in the U.K., reaching no. 35 on the charts.

The Look Of Love (1967)

The look of love
Is in your eyes
A look your smile can't disguise
The look of love
Is saying so much more than
Just words could every say

Very famous song composed by Burt Bacharach, while the lyrics were penned by Hal David. The song was originally supposed to be instrumental but lyrics were later added by Hal David. This song also appeared in the famous 1967 James Bond movie Casino Royale.

It was nominated in the best song category at the 1968 Academy Awards. Many famous artists, like Andy Williams, The Delfonics, have rerecorded her song. While Lainie Kazan rerecorded this song for her 1967 album Love is Lainie.

Dusty Springfield also had trouble in her career like many other artists, but that did not stop her from recording famous songs. Even though she is not around anymore, her songs are a reminder of how talented she was.