Album: Stay Awhile / I Only Want to Be With You

Stay Awhile/ I Only Want to Be With You (1964): Dusty Springfield's Debut Album
"Stay Awhile/ I Only Want to Be With You" is the launching studio album from British pop singer Dusty Springfield, released on February 10, 1964, and produced by the famed production team of Johnny Franz and Ivor Raymonde. Prior to this solo debut, Dusty Springfield had become part of the folk group, 'The Springfields,' along with her brother Tom Springfield and their good friend Tim Feild. The group had enjoyed some moderate success, however ultimately chose to part ways in 1963. This prompted Dusty to embark on her solo profession, which would lead her to turn into one of the most successful and renowned female artists of her time.

Title and Artwork
The album title is derived from two of Dusty's most popular songs - "Stay Awhile" and "I Only Want to Be With You". These were also released as singles and ended up being big hits. The album's cover art included a striking black and white photograph of Dusty Springfield with her trademark black lined eyes and blonde bouffant hair, taken by famed British photographer David Redfern.

Singles and Chart Success
Two songs from "Stay Awhile/ I Only Want to Be With You" were released in the UK and the United States. The very first single, "I Only Want to Be With You", was an instant hit and charted at No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart, No. 12 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and No. 2 in Canada. It stays among Dusty's most famous tunes, and numerous artists have covered it over the years.

The second single, "Stay Awhile", also carried out well, peaking at No. 13 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 38 on the United States Billboard Hot 100, cementing Dusty Springfield's increase to popularity on both sides of the Atlantic. The album itself peaked at No. 13 on the UK Albums Chart.

Track List and Music Style
The "Stay Awhile/ I Only Want to Be With You" album features a mix of cover songs and original compositions, showing off Springfield's versatility as a pop vocalist. The album comprises of 12 tracks, which are:

1. I Only Want to Be With You
2. Stay Awhile
3. 24 Hr from Tulsa
4. Mother Said
5. Anybody Who Had a Heart
6. When the Lovelight Starts Shining Through His Eyes
7. Wishin' and Hopin'
8. Mockingbird
9. Will You Love Me Tomorrow
10. You Don't Own Me
11. Something Special
12. Every Day I Have to Cry

This album showcased Dusty's capability to easily change between various music designs. A few of the tracks, like "I Only Want to Be With You" and "Stay Awhile", displayed her signature pop noise with hints of Motown and R&B affects, while others, like her performance of "24 Hours from Tulsa", exposed her capacity to take on more emotive ballads. The album also included a cover of Burt Bacharach and Hal David's "Anyone Who Had a Heart", foreshadowing Dusty Springfield's future cooperations with the famed songwriting duo.

Legacy
"Stay Awhile/ I Only Want to Be With You" marked the beginning of Dusty Springfield's effective solo profession. The album helped develop her as a formidable skill and a versatile artist. Moreover, the album set the structure for her 1965's global hit album "Ev'ry thing's Coming Up Dusty", which would even more secure her place as one of the most remarkable and gifted woman artists in the history of music.