Born in West Hampstead in London to a family that enjoyed music, Springfield learned to sing at home. In 1958, she joined her first professional group, the Lana Sisters. Two years later, with her brother Dion O'Brien ("Tom Springfield") and Tim Feild, she formed the folk-pop vocal trio the Springfields. Two of their five 1961–63 Top 40 UK hits – "Island of Dreams" and "Say I Won't Be There"–reached No. 5 on the charts, both in the spring of 1963. In 1962, they also achieved success in the United States with their cover of "Silver Threads and Golden Needles". Her solo career began in late 1963 with the upbeat pop record "I Only Want to Be with You"—a UK No. 4 hit, and the first of her six transatlantic Top 40 hits in the 1960s, along with "Stay Awhile" (1964), "All I See Is You" (1966), "I'll Try Anything" (1967), and two releases which are now considered her signature songs: "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me" (1966 UK No. 1/US No. 4) and "Son of a Preacher Man" (1968/69 UK No. 9/US No. 10). The latter is featured on the 1968 pop and soul album Dusty in Memphis, one of Springfield's defining works. In March 2020, the US Library of Congress added the album to the National Recording Registry, which preserves audio recordings considered to be "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".
Between 1964 and 1969, Springfield enjoyed success in her native United Kingdom with several singles which in America either failed to chart or were not released, among them being "I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself" (the biggest of her many Burt Bacharach/Hal David covers), "In the Middle of Nowhere", "Some of Your Lovin'", "Goin' Back", and "I Close My Eyes and Count to Ten". Conversely, she charted in the US (but not in the UK) with hits including "Wishin' and Hopin'", "The Look of Love", and "The Windmills of Your Mind". From 1971 to 1986, she failed to register a hit from five album releases (aside from a minor 1979 UK chart appearance), but her 1987 collaboration with UK synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys, "What Have I Done to Deserve This?", took her back near the top of the charts, reaching No. 2 on both the UK Singles Chart and the Billboard Hot 100. The collaboration yielded two 1989 UK Top 20 hits: "Nothing Has Been Proved" and "In Private". In 1990, Springfield charted with "Reputation"–the last of 25 UK Top 40 hits in which she features.
A fixture on British television, Springfield presented many episodes of the popular 1963–66 British TV music series Ready Steady Go! and, between 1966 and 1969, hosted her own series on the BBC and ITV. In 1966, she topped popularity polls, including Melody Maker's "Best International Vocalist", and was the first UK singer to top the New Musical Express readers' poll for best female singer. She has been inducted into the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the UK Music Hall of Fame. Multiple critics and polls have lauded Springfield as one of the greatest female singers in popular music.
Studio albums
A Girl Called Dusty (1964)
Stay Awhile/I Only Want To Be With You (1964)
Dusty (1964)
Ooooooweeee!!! (1965)
Ev'rything's Coming Up Dusty (1965)
You Don't Have to Say You Love Me (1966)
Where Am I Going? (1967)
The Look Of Love (1967)
Dusty... Definitely (1968)
Dusty in Memphis (1969)
A Brand New Me (1970)
See All Her Faces (1972)
Cameo (1973)
It Begins Again (1978)
Living Without Your Love (1979)
White Heat (1982)
Reputation (1990)
A Very Fine Love (1995)
Faithful (2015, recorded in 1971)
Nothing
Dusty Springfield Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, don't you know, don't you know?
I would tear the wall apart
'Cause nothing, nothing, nothing, I said no, not nothing
Nothing in the world's gonna keep me away from you
If a sea of fire, it was surrounding you
Oh, don't you know, don't you know?
Because nothing, nothing, nothing, I said no, not nothing
Nothing in the world's gonna keep me away from you
I've been listening, baby
For one thing, one little thing that I wanna hear
Come on and tell me, come on tell me
Do you really, really, really, really want me here?
Because nothing, nothing, nothing, I said no, not nothing
Nothing in the world's gonna keep me away from you
Yeah, I'm listening, baby
(Nothing in the world's gonna keep me away from you)
Yeah, I'm listening, baby
For one thing, for one little thing that I wanna hear
Come on and tell me, come on and tell me
Do you really, really, really, really want me here?
Because nothing, nothing, I said nothing, no, no, not nothing
Nothing in the world's gonna keep me away from you
Oh, I said nothing, I said nothing, I said nothing, no, no, no, no, not nothing
Nothing in the world's gonna keep me away from you
Yeah, yeah
The song "Nothing" by Dusty Springfield is a love song about the unbreakable bond between two people. The lyrics describe the different obstacles that may come between the lovers, but the singer is determined to overcome them all. The first verse speaks of a wall of stone built around the lover's heart, representing emotional barriers that may prevent them from fully committing to the relationship. However, the singer remains steadfast and declares that they will tear the wall apart to be with their lover. The second verse describes a sea of fire that is surrounding the lover, which could represent any external forces that threaten to harm or separate them. Regardless of these dangers, the singer promises to find a way to get through to their lover.
The chorus repeats the phrase "nothing in the world's gonna keep me away from you," emphasizing the strength and resilience of their relationship. The bridge of the song changes the tone slightly as the singer questions their lover's feelings for them. They ask if there is anything that would prevent their lover from wanting them around. Despite this moment of doubt, the singer ultimately remains committed to their relationship and declares that nothing in the world will keep them away from their lover.
Overall, "Nothing" is a powerful love song about the strength of a relationship in the face of obstacles. The singer's determination to overcome any obstacle for the sake of their love is a beautiful testament to the power of love and dedication.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby, if a wall of stone were built around your heart
Even if you were closed off emotionally
Oh, don't you know, don't you know?
Surely you must understand
I would tear the wall apart
I would do anything to break down your barriers
'Cause nothing, nothing, nothing, I said no, not nothing
Absolutely nothing can keep me from you
Nothing in the world's gonna keep me away from you
I will go to any lengths to be with you
If a sea of fire, it was surrounding you
Even if you were in the most challenging or dangerous situation
I would find a way to get through
I will persevere and overcome any obstacle to be with you
I've been listening, baby
I am paying attention to what you are saying
For one thing, one little thing that I wanna hear
I am waiting for you to say something specific
Come on and tell me, come on tell me
Please share with me what I am waiting to hear
Do you really, really, really, really want me here?
Are you truly committed to having me in your life?
Yeah, I'm listening, baby
I am still paying attention and waiting for your response
Oh, I said nothing, I said nothing, I said nothing, no, no, no, no, not nothing
I strongly emphasize that there is absolutely nothing that can keep me from you
Yeah, yeah
I am firm in my commitment to you
Lyrics © DistroKid, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: JAZELLE PARIS RODRIGUEZ, IYIOLA BABATUNDE BABALOLA, DARREN LEWIS, ERIKA F. NURI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Anonymous
on You Don't Have To Say You Love Me
You Don't Have To Say You Love Me - Lisa Dillan - Lyrics
When I said, I needed you
You said you would always stay
It wasn't me who changed, but you
And now you've gone away
Don't you see that now you're gone
And I'm left here on my own
Then I have to follow you
And beg you to come home
You don't have to say you love me
Just be close at hand
You don't have to stay forever
I will understand
Believe me,
I can't help but love you
But believe me, I'll never tie you down
Left alone with just a memory
Life seems dead and so unreal
All that's left is loneliness
There's nothing left to feel
You don't have to say you love me
Just be close at hand
You don't have to stay forever
I will understand
Believe me, believe me
You don't have to say you love me
Just be close at hand
You don't have to stay forever
I will understand
Believe me, believe me. Believe me…