Mitty Collier vs. Dusty Springfield

In the 39^th edition of Head 2 Head (2025), Mitty Collier and Dusty Springfield contend for the best rendition of “I Had A Talk With My Man.”

Welcome to Head 2 Head! On Head 2 Head, we pit at least two musicians performing the same song and compare their performances.  After deliberation, we decide which performance is the best or moves us more subjectively.  In the 39^th edition of Head 2 Head (2025), Mitty Collier and Dusty Springfield contend for the best rendition of “I Had A Talk With My Man”. So, without further ado, let the Head 2 Head commence!

1. Mitty Collier, “I Had A Talk With My Man”

“I had a talk / With my man last night / He reassured me everything / Was still alright.”

Sometimes, Mitty Collier (b. 1941), we need reassurance, particularly from a significant other.  The doubts of the former soul singer, who became a pastor and gospel singer, are alleviated with this reassurance on “I Had A Talk With My Man”: “My blues got bright / He made me know / I was the star of the show.” Aww, the feels! The love! The romance! “I Had A Talk With My Man” appeared on her 1965 album, Shades of Genius, most accessible via the compilation, Talking With Her Man: The Chess Singles 1961 – 1968.  Billy Davis and Leonard Caston wrote it in its secular form. According to Secondhand Songs, it was adapted from “I Had a Talk with God”, written by the late, great gospel music legend, James Cleveland (1931 – 1991). Classy and refined, “Talk” exhibits some gospel sensibilities, evident in its meter, harmonic progression, and the robustness of Collier’s voice. “Talk” peaked at number 41 on the Billboard Hot 100, the highest charting song of her career.

“I said I sat down, and had / A talk with my man last night,”

Collier continues enthusiastically, “He filled my heart with pure delight.” Sweet! Also sweet is the gorgeous instrumental backdrop that accompanies her. There is a sublime blend of orchestral touches (French Horn, strings, etc.) and the traditional rhythm section. Beyond the orchestration, the musical underpinnings, the harmonic progression shines.

There are some colorful chord choices, including an epic B-flat minor 7 flat 5 (an altered ii chord with a dramatic effect).  Still, Mitty Collier is the star, bringing the tuneful melodies and her loving relationship with ‘her man’ to life. “He told me that he needed me / More than words could ever say,” she asserts. What a heart-melting moment!  “I Had A Talk With My Man” also closes sensationally:

“I began to cry

He kissed my tears

From my weeping eyes

Oh, yes, he did, yes, he did

Yes, he did, oh, yes

I had a talk with my man last night.”

Simply put, they don’t make songs like this anymore. Classic, classic, classic!

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2. Dusty Springfield, “I Had a Talk With My Man Last Night”

“He said never again lonely would I be / And that’s when he asked to marry me.”

Aww, Dusty Springfield (1939 – 1999)! The feels, the feels, the feels! The matrimony! The English pop and blue-eyed soul musician sounds stunning on “I Had A Talk With My Man Last Night”. “I Had A Talk With My Man Last Night” is the 12^th track from her 1966 album, You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me. The thing is that “I Had a Talk” is NOT a Dusty original – it is a cover 🤯! That’s right, Mitty Collier (b. 1941) originally recorded “I Had A Talk with My Man”, which was written in secular form by Billy Davis and Leonard Caston. Springfield delivers a superb cover of this stellar album track (it wasn’t released as a single).

Springfield’s rendition of “I Had A Talk With My Man Last Night” bears many similarities to Mitty Collier’s.  It begins with the gorgeous orchestration.  Instruments that shine within the arrangement include drums (particularly striking), piano, French horns, and strings. The tempo is a hair faster. Of course, the straw that stirs the drink is Dusty Springfield, an elite singer.  Her vocals are commanding, while her tone is gorgeous and soulful.  She channels her inner Mitty Collier superbly, showcasing the depth and versatility of her instrument.  As Springfield sings, you buy what she is selling.  Her authenticity and her expressive performance make this cover of  “I Had A Talk With My Man Last Night” top-notch.

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The Verdict 👨🏿‍⚖️

So, who had the better talk with their man last night? Was it the soulful original by Mitty Collier, or the blue-eyed soul rendition by Dusty Springfield?  When I originally wrote about Springfield’s cover, I stated, “If Mitty hadn’t originally recorded it, you might be led to believe this was originally Dusty’s song.” Dusty Springfield killed this cover, living up to her billing as one of the finest white soul singers.  However, Mitty Collier DID originally record it; her version impacted the pop charts, and it’s the song that she’s renowned for.  Nobody is topping her.

🏅 Winner: Mitty Collier

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