Today’s classic song of the day was a minor hit for both Dusty Springfield and Jerry Butler. The song is “Brand New Me” and it was written by Mr. Butler along with Philly Soul legends Kenny Gamble and Thom Bell.
Jerry Butler released his version of the song, under the title of “A Brand New Me,” in 1969. The Iceman’s single stalled just outside the Hot 100, however, at #109. It was featured on his Ice on Ice album.
Dusty Springfield released her version of “Brand New Me” in October of 1969, featuring a very similar arrangement to Mr. Butler’s. This single hit #24 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #3 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart. It was the featured track on Dusty’s 1970 album, A Brand New Me, which featured songs by Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff, and other Philly Soul stalwarts; the album itself was produced by Gamble and Huff and recorded at Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia. It was the follow up to Dusty’s critically acclaimed 1969 album, Dusty in Memphis, taking Dusty’s white soul sound from Memphis to the heart of Philadelphia soul.
“Brand New Me” is about a person stuck in their same old, same old until they meet their new love, who turns them into someone completely new:
This is my same old coat
And my same old shoes
I was the same old me
With the same old blues
Then you touched my life
Just by holding my hand
Now I look in the mirror
And see a brand new girl
I got a brand new walk
A brand new smile
Since I met you baby
I got a brand new style
Just because of you, boy
Just because of you
Just because of you, boy
Just because of you
And here’s your daily bonus video of the day, the late, great Dusty Springfield lip synching “Brand New Me” live on some television program in 1970. Dusty passed away of cancer on March 2, 1999, age 59. Jerry Butler passed away from Parkinson’s Disease on February 20, 2025, age 85. They are both missed.
