Dusty Springfield was one of few female artists whose musical success was part of “British Invasion” of the 1960s. She charted such hits as:
“You don’t have to say you loved me”
“Mama Said” (1964) a cover of the song by the Shirelles
Burt Bacharach’s “The Look of Love”
Springfield sang in a variety of styles, mostly pop, soul, folk, Latin, and rock'n'roll. With her voice described as “breathy sensuality” and “haunting sexual vulnerability”.
In the 1960s, on several occasions, she performed as the only white singer on all-black bills. Springfield loved the Motown sound and introduced it to a wider UK audience with her covers of their hit. She also was instrument in facilitating the first British TV appearances for the Temptations, the Supremes, the Miracles and Stevie Wonder.
Due to bouts with alcoholism and drug addiction in the 1970s and early 1980s, Springfield took a break from performing and recording.
Throughout her life, Springfield was never married nor linked to a man. She had several relationships with women, including American singer Norma Tanega. The two lived together for 5 years from 1966 to 1970. Due to stresses in their lives, Tanega returned to the US.
Springfield struggled with her sexual identity. In an interview in 1970 she said:
“Many other people say I’m bent, and I’ve heard it so many times that I’ve almost learned to accept it … I know I’m perfectly as capable of being swayed by a girl as by a boy. More and more people feel that way and I don’t see why I shouldn’t.”
Then in 1973 she added:
“I mean, people say that I’m gay, gay, gay. I’m not anything. I’m just … People are people … I basically want to be straight … I go from men to women; I don’t give a shit. The catchphrase is: I can’t love a man. Now, that’s my hang-up. To love, to go to bed, fantastic; but to love a man is my prime ambition … They frighten me.”
Other relations included:
Faye Harris (American photojournalist) - from 1972 to 1978 they had an “off and on” domestic relationship.
Carole Pope (of the rock band Rough Trade) - together six-month.
Teda Bracci (American actress) - they met at an AA meeting in 1982 and exchanged vows in 1983. But the relation was marred by physical violence. They separated two years later.
She had a career revival in 1985 when the Pet Shop Boys invited her to join them on the song “What Have I Done to Deserve This?”
This led to other collaborations including songs with Richard Carpenter and BJ Thomas. And she continued to record new albums in the 1990s.
When you’re lucky enough to be at a Pet Shop Boys concert and they play West End Girls, does anyone else just stare at Chris playing the bass line? Cos watching that always makes me feel humbled and I can sense acutely that I am in the presence of Greatness™
PET SHOP BOYS: THE THEATRE (orig. 1993, live 1997; Tennant/Lowe)
On this day in 1993, Pet Shop Boys released their fifth studio album Very. I still listen to it from time to time.
It had a very eye-catching sleeve, where the CD box became the actual cover. (I’ve read that the special sleeve cost 40p extra per copy of the album, and that this was taken out of their royalties.)
I saw that CD in a second hand store and just had to have it - and for 5€ it was a real steal! I didn’t even know which songs were on this album specifically, I just wanted it for the look and the haptic. I heard that there was a limited edition of “Very” with a different sleeve, but sadly I never found it.
Uma super-banda? É um daqueles conceitos que nem sempre dão coisa assim tão super no resultado final… Mas aqui aconteceu, de facto, um encontro invulgarmente feliz. Juntavam-se Bernard Sumner (dos New Order) com Johnny Marr (ex-Smiths), contando neste single de estreia com a colaboração (bem evidente) de Neil Tennant, dos Pet Shop Boys… Pena que nem sempre as super-bandas sejam tão super como este single o foi…
The debut single by “superband” featuring Bernard Sumnet (New Order) and Johnny Marr (ex-Smiths) puls Neil Tennant (Pet Shop Boys) as a guest.
@yearsandyears: Good morning! Here’s a song called Dreamland that I created with @petshopboys ! It was a dream come true to create something with two of my heroes, and spending time with Chris and Neil was an absolute joy. I had to pinch myself repeatedly ! Listen here: petshopboys.lnk.to/Dreamlandye
They’re such an iconic band, with so many great songs! It’s been a huge privilege to work with them. We had a lot of fun making this song I’m so excited for you all to hear it !! Thank you so much! Have a wonderful day xx
1. I Can - Nas 2. If I Had A Million Dollars - Barenaked Ladies 3. You’re Manifesting (The Manifesting Song) - Inspire3 4. Everything’s Coming Up Roses - Gypsy 5. I Wanna Benz - YG, Nipsey Hussle and 50 Cent 6. Opportunities (Let’s Make Lots Of Money) - Pet Shop Boys 7. Money (That’s What I Want) - The Flying Lizards 8. Learning Something New - Bai Kamara Jr. 9. Opportunity - Annie Soundtrack 2014 10. Planting Seeds - Mike Knight 11. The College Song - Christina Martino 12. Free Money - Patti Smith 13. Chase That (Ambition) - Lecrae 14. Thrift Shop - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Ft. Wanz 15. Study Hard Anthem - V2.0 Hsc Edition 16. Working For It - Zhu X Skrillex X They. 17. Wonderful World - Sam Cooke 18. Success Story - Nesbeth 19. The Internship Song - Adam Newbern 20. Ready, Set, Goals! - singtolearn
1. Seven of Swords - March 2. It’s A Sin - Pet Shop Boys 3. Been Caught Stealing - Jane’s Addiction 4. Lonewolf - Emdi X Coorby Feat. Kristi Leah 5. Getting Away With It - James 6. Been Lying - Rita Ora 7. Secret - The Pierces 8. Thief In The Night - Rolling Stones 9. Lone Wolf - Zacari 10. Getting Away With Murder - Papa Roach 11. Gypsies Tramps And Thieves - Cher 12. Dirty Little Secret - The All American Rejects 13. Thief - Ansel Elgort 14. The Thief And The Moon - Shawn James & The Shapeshifters 15. Lone Wolf - Eels 16. Better Off On My Own - Sum 41 17. Sneaky Snake - Tom T Hall 18. Smoke And Mirrors - Gotye 19. King Of Thieves - Christina Grimmie 20. FFF Fuck Fake Friends - Bebe Rexha
