I’ll admit, Dusty Springfield was someone I’d only known through passing references and that unforgettable moment on What Have I Done to Deserve This? — but this essay completely changed that. The depth of storytelling, the honesty about her inner conflicts, and the way it connects her voice to the cultural pulse of every decade she touched made me realize how much I’d overlooked.
I’m now genuinely inclined to revisit her catalogue, starting with Dusty in Memphis and working forward to In Private. The piece illuminated her as more than a pop icon — a complex, wounded perfectionist who poured every bit of her searching soul into the microphone. It’s rare for an essay to send you straight to the turntable, but this one did exactly that.
Wow, Howard, that’s such a lovely compliment, thank you! Really appreciate it. Dusty in Memphis is indeed the perfect place to start. There are also some great Universal compilations covering her Philips years, The Silver Collection was the one I picked up on CD after the PSB success.
When I was doing catalogue at Universal, we even released a full 4-CD box set overview of her career, Simply Dusty. Not sure if it’s still available anywhere, but it covers everything, even her time with The Springfields.
Finally got around to reading this as promised! And it was wonderful. You’ve given a somewhat forgotten queer icon (at least in the U.S.) a moving, in-depth tribute, and as a big fan of classic Pet Shop Boys, it was great to see them weaved in here too 💜
I know very little of Dusty Springfield outside of Dusty in Memphis. I’m not sure I even knew she was on “What Have I Done To Deserve This” let alone “In Private”, a track I’d never heard before. I’m now inclined to dig into her earlier work from the 60s. Thanks for this great article Pé!!
You’re in for a real treasure trove, Mark! I’ve never understood why In Private didn’t chart beyond Europe and the US, probably just low priority for Capitol back then. What’s even stranger is that Shep Pettibone’s brilliant remix didn’t take off in the clubs either. Some mysteries just stay unsolved 😁 Thanks for reading and reacting, and have a great Sunday!
I know of Dusty Springfield to an extent and like some of her songs, but never really had a great deal of knowledge on her life and career. That's now changed, having read your piece.
That was wonderfully written and a superb look at an incredible talent, told with respect and reverence. Thank you.
I think a lot of people (re)discovered her incredible voice and repertoire thanks to that PSB song. Kudos to Neil Tennant for making it happen with Parlophone. Thanks for reading and reacting, Hi-Fi Amateur, have a great weekend!
This is the best recounting of the Dusty Springfield story I’ve ever seen. She, along with Leslie Gore and Ronnie were my “must listens” in the 60s. I probably went through a couple Dusty In Memphis albums and still have that and a couple others in the vinyl collection. I was pleasantly surprised when she turned up with PSB but boy did that sound great. Thanks for reigniting some very pleasant old memories. Extremely well done.
Coming from a fan from the very beginning, that really means a lot, Daniel! Thanks for reading and for your kind words. When I research these stories, I try to get as close as possible to the person behind the artist, and that always leads me back to their albums. When I worked in catalogue at Universal, I released the Simply Dusty 4-CD box set, which gives a pretty good overview of her full repertoire. I’ve been listening to it again this weekend, she really was one of the best. Have a great weekend!
I thought In Private was a strange choice at first, as in musical terms at least it sounds to me a fairly lightweight Motown rip-off. What I didn't appreciate was the extent to which Dusty's fame was confined to the UK and the US and therefore, as a rare European hit, it was a natural fit for the newsletter. Donnez-Moi is from the fascinating White Heat album from 1982 (which wasn't even released in the UK until 2002!). The track is the closest we got to Dusty being produced by Moroder, or perhaps even more appropriately Martin Rushent, who had worked with the likes of Petula Clark and would have been an ideal choice to update sixties orchestral pop for the synth generation.
The surprise was just as big on my side, Paul! I was convinced In Private had been her biggest comeback hit, but it turns out it didn’t chart in the US, not even on the dance charts (which is amazing, given the great Pettibone remix), and it didn’t make the UK Top 10 either. Still, I think it was the perfect song for her story.
I haven’t listened to the full White Heat album yet, but I do like Donnez-Moi. You’re right, it’s probably the closest she came to that early-’80s new-wave sound. If only she’d had a chance to work with Giorgio or Martin Rushent!
Even the Pet Shop Boys, who were devoted Dusty fans, didn’t have the nerve to make a full album with her. Their Results album with Liza Minnelli could easily have been a Dusty record. But two full days to record one single, that says it all 😁
Anyway, thanks so much for reading and for sharing your thoughts, Paul. Always great to read your reactions. Have a wonderful weekend!
What a fantastic deep dive into a profoundly enigmatic and undoubtedly legendary artist. Thank you for the continued education! Hope you have a great weekend 🙌🏻
Thanks, Andy! Not sure if you’re still in Argentina, if you are, soak up some extra sunshine before you return, because fall has definitely arrived on this side of the globe ☹️ Or better yet, send a little sunshine our way! Have a great weekend!
Thanks, Pé, for this wonderful look into Dusty Springfield’s career.
I got to know her through the Pet Shop Boys. It’s still such a great story that she first said no to working with them, but said yes the second time they asked.
And I have to say, the Shep Pettibone mix of In Private sounds fantastic too.
After that, I listened for an hour, completely captivated to the weekly mix. Highlights for me were Electronic and Grace Jones—and of course the closing eurodance set. For a moment, I was right back in the late ’80s and early ’90s, at the Koets-o-theek (student disco in Leiden) and Tomorrowland in Rotterdam.
Got lots of inspiration again for the upcoming record fair in Den Bosch.
Haha, mission accomplished then! That’s exactly what I’m aiming for with the mixes, to take you back in time. Record fair as in digging for vinyl? Always fun to rummage through those boxes. Have a great time, Paul, and thanks for reading and reacting. Enjoy your weekend!
Well-detailed and interesting discussion! Like you, I really didn't know her until the Pet Shops Boys revived her career. I never did listen to what she did after that but, you're right, it's too bad more couldn't have been done with her. Such an interesting voice!
I totally agree, Dan, she’s one of the finest singers of her generation. Thanks as always for reading, supporting, and sharing your thoughts. Have a great weekend!
I wonder if the album cover for Dusty in Memphis lost her sales because it looked like C&W. Very confusing for Dusty fans as well as country fans, I would suspect.
Could well be Ellen. It’s a bit outside my usual scope, otherwise I’d have tried to dig up the answer. Still, it’s strange, Son of a Preacher Man was a major hit and should’ve given the album a perfect boost. But somehow, it didn’t.
I don’t think it was due to lack of promotion either, Warner Music had high hopes for her. They wanted to build up more English artists on their roster, and she was the first.
While researching this week’s post, I noticed that a few years ago they released a remastered edition, which I ended up buying. It includes both the stereo and mono versions, a truly great album.
Interesting side note: Aretha recorded Son of a Preacher Man after Dusty released hers, and Dusty later adjusted her live version because she thought Aretha’s take was better.
Anyway, thanks for reading and reacting, Ellen, have a great weekend!
You're probably right that musical trends ended up sidelining her. Although her version of Son of a Preacher Man is iconic. A great artist alongside Dionne and Aretha. Thanks for this excellent post and have a great weekend yourself, Pe.
I’ll admit, Dusty Springfield was someone I’d only known through passing references and that unforgettable moment on What Have I Done to Deserve This? — but this essay completely changed that. The depth of storytelling, the honesty about her inner conflicts, and the way it connects her voice to the cultural pulse of every decade she touched made me realize how much I’d overlooked.
I’m now genuinely inclined to revisit her catalogue, starting with Dusty in Memphis and working forward to In Private. The piece illuminated her as more than a pop icon — a complex, wounded perfectionist who poured every bit of her searching soul into the microphone. It’s rare for an essay to send you straight to the turntable, but this one did exactly that.
Wow, Howard, that’s such a lovely compliment, thank you! Really appreciate it. Dusty in Memphis is indeed the perfect place to start. There are also some great Universal compilations covering her Philips years, The Silver Collection was the one I picked up on CD after the PSB success.
When I was doing catalogue at Universal, we even released a full 4-CD box set overview of her career, Simply Dusty. Not sure if it’s still available anywhere, but it covers everything, even her time with The Springfields.
Great stuff all around. Have a wonderful weekend!
Finally got around to reading this as promised! And it was wonderful. You’ve given a somewhat forgotten queer icon (at least in the U.S.) a moving, in-depth tribute, and as a big fan of classic Pet Shop Boys, it was great to see them weaved in here too 💜
Thanks so much for the lovely compliment, Max — and great meeting you on Friday! Really appreciate you reading and reacting. Have a wonderful Sunday!
Great meeting you too Pe!
I know very little of Dusty Springfield outside of Dusty in Memphis. I’m not sure I even knew she was on “What Have I Done To Deserve This” let alone “In Private”, a track I’d never heard before. I’m now inclined to dig into her earlier work from the 60s. Thanks for this great article Pé!!
You’re in for a real treasure trove, Mark! I’ve never understood why In Private didn’t chart beyond Europe and the US, probably just low priority for Capitol back then. What’s even stranger is that Shep Pettibone’s brilliant remix didn’t take off in the clubs either. Some mysteries just stay unsolved 😁 Thanks for reading and reacting, and have a great Sunday!
We were watching the Brit Awards performance only last night. So lovely when Dusty got her mojo back in the 80s.
Absolutely Cameron. Thanks for reading & reacting! Have a great weekend!
I know of Dusty Springfield to an extent and like some of her songs, but never really had a great deal of knowledge on her life and career. That's now changed, having read your piece.
That was wonderfully written and a superb look at an incredible talent, told with respect and reverence. Thank you.
Wow, Gary, that’s such a great compliment. Thanks so much for reading and for taking the time to react. Wishing you a wonderful weekend!
Thank you. Hope you have a great weekend, too.
So I too only became aware of Dusty though the PSB collab.
This is an amazing tribute to a legendary singer.
So touching and heartbreaking.
I think a lot of people (re)discovered her incredible voice and repertoire thanks to that PSB song. Kudos to Neil Tennant for making it happen with Parlophone. Thanks for reading and reacting, Hi-Fi Amateur, have a great weekend!
This is the best recounting of the Dusty Springfield story I’ve ever seen. She, along with Leslie Gore and Ronnie were my “must listens” in the 60s. I probably went through a couple Dusty In Memphis albums and still have that and a couple others in the vinyl collection. I was pleasantly surprised when she turned up with PSB but boy did that sound great. Thanks for reigniting some very pleasant old memories. Extremely well done.
Coming from a fan from the very beginning, that really means a lot, Daniel! Thanks for reading and for your kind words. When I research these stories, I try to get as close as possible to the person behind the artist, and that always leads me back to their albums. When I worked in catalogue at Universal, I released the Simply Dusty 4-CD box set, which gives a pretty good overview of her full repertoire. I’ve been listening to it again this weekend, she really was one of the best. Have a great weekend!
I thought In Private was a strange choice at first, as in musical terms at least it sounds to me a fairly lightweight Motown rip-off. What I didn't appreciate was the extent to which Dusty's fame was confined to the UK and the US and therefore, as a rare European hit, it was a natural fit for the newsletter. Donnez-Moi is from the fascinating White Heat album from 1982 (which wasn't even released in the UK until 2002!). The track is the closest we got to Dusty being produced by Moroder, or perhaps even more appropriately Martin Rushent, who had worked with the likes of Petula Clark and would have been an ideal choice to update sixties orchestral pop for the synth generation.
The surprise was just as big on my side, Paul! I was convinced In Private had been her biggest comeback hit, but it turns out it didn’t chart in the US, not even on the dance charts (which is amazing, given the great Pettibone remix), and it didn’t make the UK Top 10 either. Still, I think it was the perfect song for her story.
I haven’t listened to the full White Heat album yet, but I do like Donnez-Moi. You’re right, it’s probably the closest she came to that early-’80s new-wave sound. If only she’d had a chance to work with Giorgio or Martin Rushent!
Even the Pet Shop Boys, who were devoted Dusty fans, didn’t have the nerve to make a full album with her. Their Results album with Liza Minnelli could easily have been a Dusty record. But two full days to record one single, that says it all 😁
Anyway, thanks so much for reading and for sharing your thoughts, Paul. Always great to read your reactions. Have a wonderful weekend!
What a fantastic deep dive into a profoundly enigmatic and undoubtedly legendary artist. Thank you for the continued education! Hope you have a great weekend 🙌🏻
Thanks, Andy! Not sure if you’re still in Argentina, if you are, soak up some extra sunshine before you return, because fall has definitely arrived on this side of the globe ☹️ Or better yet, send a little sunshine our way! Have a great weekend!
Thank you, Pe! Yes, still here! Sending some sunshine your way! ☀️ Have a great weekend!
Thanks, Pé, for this wonderful look into Dusty Springfield’s career.
I got to know her through the Pet Shop Boys. It’s still such a great story that she first said no to working with them, but said yes the second time they asked.
And I have to say, the Shep Pettibone mix of In Private sounds fantastic too.
After that, I listened for an hour, completely captivated to the weekly mix. Highlights for me were Electronic and Grace Jones—and of course the closing eurodance set. For a moment, I was right back in the late ’80s and early ’90s, at the Koets-o-theek (student disco in Leiden) and Tomorrowland in Rotterdam.
Got lots of inspiration again for the upcoming record fair in Den Bosch.
Thanks, and have a great weekend!
Paul
Haha, mission accomplished then! That’s exactly what I’m aiming for with the mixes, to take you back in time. Record fair as in digging for vinyl? Always fun to rummage through those boxes. Have a great time, Paul, and thanks for reading and reacting. Enjoy your weekend!
Awesome history! Thank you, Pe.
Thanks for reading & reacting Joe! Have a great weekend!
Well-detailed and interesting discussion! Like you, I really didn't know her until the Pet Shops Boys revived her career. I never did listen to what she did after that but, you're right, it's too bad more couldn't have been done with her. Such an interesting voice!
I totally agree, Dan, she’s one of the finest singers of her generation. Thanks as always for reading, supporting, and sharing your thoughts. Have a great weekend!
OMG Pe, this is spectacular. I love her singing.
Thanks Tamara. Same here. Glad you liked this week's episode; Thanks for reading & reacting. Wishing you a nice weekend!
You too Pe!
What an excellent overview of Dusty's career, Pe.
I wonder if the album cover for Dusty in Memphis lost her sales because it looked like C&W. Very confusing for Dusty fans as well as country fans, I would suspect.
Not surprised she idolized Aretha!
Could well be Ellen. It’s a bit outside my usual scope, otherwise I’d have tried to dig up the answer. Still, it’s strange, Son of a Preacher Man was a major hit and should’ve given the album a perfect boost. But somehow, it didn’t.
I don’t think it was due to lack of promotion either, Warner Music had high hopes for her. They wanted to build up more English artists on their roster, and she was the first.
While researching this week’s post, I noticed that a few years ago they released a remastered edition, which I ended up buying. It includes both the stereo and mono versions, a truly great album.
Interesting side note: Aretha recorded Son of a Preacher Man after Dusty released hers, and Dusty later adjusted her live version because she thought Aretha’s take was better.
Anyway, thanks for reading and reacting, Ellen, have a great weekend!
You're probably right that musical trends ended up sidelining her. Although her version of Son of a Preacher Man is iconic. A great artist alongside Dionne and Aretha. Thanks for this excellent post and have a great weekend yourself, Pe.