As with previous blogs the 'Deeper Dozen' is not an extended 'Best Of' rather it is an attempt to offer a rounded view of an artists output. A few of the songs described here are not well known but do standup against some of the 'hits' from Dusty's most popular period...
Stay Awhile - The follow up to ‘I Only Want To Be With You’ mirrored the ‘wall of sound’ that Phil Spector had perfected with groups such as The Ronettes. Another Hawker and Raymonde co-write this yearning pop song made it to number 13 in the UK in 1964.
You Don’t Own Me - In the spring of 1964 her UK debut album ‘A Girl Called Dusty’ was released. It featured takes on songs released by other artists (a common practice at the time) including standouts such as ‘Mama Said’ and ‘Anyone Who Had A Heart’. Dusty’s version of the Lesley Gore hit 'You Don't Own Me' is delivered in such a way that it creates suspense and a haunting sense of unease. The song is noteworthy given the ‘feminist’ nature of the lyric in a decade where songs like ‘Under My Thumb’ by The Rolling Stones or ‘Run For Your Life’ by The Beatles did not so much as raise an eyebrow.
I Just Don’t Know What To Do With Myself - Written by Bacharch and David, her third single came with rich orchestration and a stunning vocal of unrequited love. Younger readers may be more familiar with The White Stripes bracing take on this song that featured on their 2003 album 'Elephant'.
Losing You - This R&B influenced top 10 single from 1964 proves that no one can convey loss quite like Dusty. The way she delivers the line ‘I’ve tried forgetting you but you’re still here on my mind’ pulls at the heartstrings. I have included a version from the compilation ‘The Complete BBC Sessions’ where our presenter takes us to a time when British broadcasters did not display any accent even when introducing pop records to the kids!
I Can’t Make It Alone - It was between this and just about any song (perhaps with the exception of 'In The Land Of Make Believe') from ‘Dusty in Memphis’. In its final throes the album serves up the breathtaking pairing of 'I Can't Make It Alone' and ‘No Easy Way Down’. When listening to the album it is difficult to comprehend Dusty’s apparent anxiety about her own vocal performances. Incidentally, her final vocals for the album were recorded in New York!
Brand New Me - The follow up to ‘Dusty in Memphis’, ‘From Dusty With Love’ was another strong record, this time recorded in Philadelphia. This is the lead single and a sprightly slice of pop it is!
Crumbs Off The Table - This strutting piece of funk was not a hit and nor was it a single from parent album ‘See All Her Faces’. Another strong song called 'Haunted' was a single from the album and inexplicably did not even chart.
Easy Evil - ‘Cameo’ is another little known gem of an album. This sultry piece of organ led soul sees Dusty delivering a performance as good as any in her career.
That’s The Kind Of Love I’ve Got For You - On ‘It Begins Again’ and ‘Living Without Your Love’ Dusty sticks to a safe, middle of the road sound. Do not be deterred! This disco banger proves that she could still cut it even when trying out new sounds.
I Don’t Think We Could Ever Be Friends - On 1982’s ‘White Heat’ Dusty dived head first into the 80s with a record that marked a significant departure from previous outings. The album and this song stand up pretty well today.
In Private - Top 20 hit from ‘Reputation’ with the Pet Shop Boys at the helm. The production was modern (for the time) and brought Dusty Springfield to a new audience. The lyric was written from the perspective of a gay man confronting his lover about going back to his wife.
Where Is A Woman To Go - A standout track from what would prove to be Dusty's final album. The smooth soul sound may have been a sign of how her career would have evolved had it not been so tragically cut short.
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