Jimmy Ruffin (born 7 May 1936 in Collinsville, Mississippi; died 17 Novembe… Read Full Bio ↴Jimmy Ruffin (born 7 May 1936 in Collinsville, Mississippi; died 17 November 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada) was an American soul singer. His 1966 hit "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" was a major success and his most well-known song. He was offered a chance to sing with The Temptations, but he politely declined in favor of his younger brother, David Ruffin (born 1941; died 1991).

After the success of "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted", the intended follow-up, "East Side West Side", was released only in Australia due to an argument with Motown head Berry Gordy. The song was written by Ron Welser and Flamingos' member Terry Johnson.

With his brother David Ruffin, Jimmy Ruffin released a popular cover version of "Stand By Me" (by Ben E. King), taken from The Ruffin Brothers' album, I Am My Brother's Keeper.

Jimmy Ruffin's other hits include "I've Passed This Way Before", "Gonna Give Her All The Love I've Got", "Don't You Miss Me A Little Bit Baby", "I'll Say Forever My Love", "It's Wonderful To Be Loved By You" and "Tell Me What You Want".

In 1980 he collaborated with the Bee Gees' musician Robin Gibb, who produced his album Sunrise. From it came the single which would be his last Top 10 UK and U.S. hit: "Hold On To My Love". In 1986 Jimmy Ruffin collaborated with the British pop group Heaven 17, singing "A Foolish Thing To Do" and "My Sensitivity" on a 12" EP record.

In the 1980s, Ruffin moved to live in Britain, where he continued to perform successfully. In December 1984 he collaborated with Paul Weller of The Style Council for his benefit single "Soul Deep." This went under the name of The Council Collective.

Following the 2010 release of his album I Am My Brother's Keeper, Ruffin began writing and recording songs for a new album that was never issued.

In 2012, a compilation album entitled, "There Will Never Be Another You", including his hit songs "What Becomes of The Broken Hearted", and "Hold On To My Love" had been released.

In addition to his brother David Ruffin (deceased), Jimmy Ruffin had three other siblings: Quincy, Rita Mae (deceased) and Rosa (deceased).

Baby
Jimmy Ruffin Lyrics

Listen to me people
I ain't got time to think about
Money or what it can buy
And I ain't got time to sit down and wonder
What make the birdies fly.

And I don't have time to think about
What makes the flowers grow,
Ain't never give it a second thought
To where the rivers flow.

And I ain't got time for nothin' else.

Now I ain't got time to discuss the weather,
And how long it's going to last
And I ain't got time to do no studying
Once I get out of class.

I'm telling you I'm just a fellow with a one track mind,
And when it comes to thinkin' about
Anything but my baby,
I just don't have the time.

Oh yeah
And I ain't got time for nothin' else.
Don't you know I, I'm thinking about my baby
I ain't got time for nothin' else

Yeah the world could ever match her wealth,
She's some kinda wonderful,
Got heaven right here on earth

'Cause I'm just a fellow with a one track mind
And when it comes to thinkin about
Anything but my baby,
I just don't have the time

I'm too busy thinkin' about my baby
Oh I ain't got time for nothin' else
Too busy thinkin' about my baby
Ain't got time for nothing else

Oh yeah
Oh yeah
I ain't go, I ain't got no time

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Written by: BARRETT STRONG, JANIE BRADFORD, NORMAN WHITFIELD, NORMAN J. WHITFIELD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

@peterbarber5769

1y↑2

Never tire of listening to this,a reminder of fantastic days past.

@otis123redding

10w

I bought this in 1966 when I was 15, I still love it and still listening to him. RIP JR.

@moketote4853

2y↑1

Today I tested positive for corona and now this song is stuck in my head...

@TheButcherkevin

2y↑1

God how many times Played this still sounds great to me. Gotta dance seeya X

@JohnGByrne

MotownMagic1959
Yes indeed, I wish Jimmy and his brother David were around today, still!! I saw Jimmy LIVE in the past, and he was excellent, very talented. Pleased you are having fun, :-) JOHN

@TheMegamanagement

1y↑1

What a gem of a song.

@57dogsbody

3y↑2

What a RECORD. i never get tired of this . First heard it at a club we used to go to as young teenagers . Never owned a copy at that time ('70), when I was thirteen, But got it on UK Tamla Motown about 30 years ago for £2.50.

@JohnGByrne

MotownMagic1959
Yes, Jimmy was so popular back then and in the 70's too eh? He had a unique style I thought and I'd seen him LIVE, very good indeed. I've grown up the whole of my life with Motown too!! So I'm glad you loved those sounds. Cheers, JOHN

@buzzdavis

3y↑2

I remember finally getting around to flipping the 45 "Broken-hearted" single over way back when and going : "whoooooooooooaaaa, this is a bad jam right here, too". That was my first Motown B-side alert. Motown was something else weren't they? So was Jimmy. Old Skool Rules.

@JohnGByrne

3y↑1

MotownMagic1959
I totally agree Buzz, Jimmy was SO good, I saw him years ago and boy was he brilliant, always remembered with a lot of nostalgia. Thanks. JOHN

@FitComm

❤️

@jonathanclary3992

Jimmy Ruffin's truly Legendary🎵🎶

@JohnGByrne

MotownMagic1959
He is indeed, Jonathan, and you are certainly a fan eh? he was truly superb especially when I saw him singing LIVE here in Brighton UK! never forgotten and talent always shines out. Cheers, JOHN

@grahamchambers9665

6y↑3

yeah ''you beauty'' what a track ''go jimmy go'' this is the definition of soul and motown'magical upbeat sound ''love the rollin' drum ''sound effect on most of motown tracks ' soulgray

@JohnGByrne

6y↑1

MotownMagic1959
I used to love that Motown trademark, Graham, the drums were part of the 60's weren't they? and Jimmy was just magical to me!! I rarely disliked anything he did actually. JOHN

@hollidayevery

13y↑1

WOW! I don't know how Motown missed the ball on this one!! Great song! And I have only heard it one or two other times before, and didn't realize just how great a piece of music this is! Classic, Vintage Northern Soul!

@theboyfromxtown

15y↑2

The interaction of Jimmie with the Andantes is classic

@TheButcherkevin

6y↑1

Great INTRO. SUPERB VOCAL.

@grahamchambers9665

6y↑1

what a b side'' love any jimmy ruffin or his brother'''david ;its no wonder how good the temptations were with so much talent in there line up; got this track somewhere'' a lot of these early motown tracks ,became northern soul classics later on ;;magical ktf soulgray''

@JohnGByrne

MotownMagic1959
Yes, that's right Graham, certainly a "Northern Soul" sound in those times!! I try to add my actual records in the pictures in the video too, as you can see it's the older SOUL label design of Motown's. The UK label was just black, so I always liked all that colour on the old records!! Pleased you are listening to my additions too! Cheers, JOHN

@TheWanker52

12y

WOW,WOW,WOW, WHERE HAVE ALL THESE GREAT SONGS GONE.

@Bambi9753

I wish I could go back to these times, just one magical night would do. and I got it, got it, got it, oooohh

@robertcresser3387

5y↑1

I've certainly Got It-a top record.

@JohnGByrne

MotownMagic1959
We all well remember Jimmy and this one don't we, Robert? Jimmy did so many really good tracks over the years, and sadly he died not so long ago in the US. I saw him live once here in the UK he was so good, and a tall man. Cheers, JOHN

@eileenmoulas8704

9y↑2

This song makes me happy still luv it a favourite

@JohnGByrne

9y↑1

MotownMagic1959
Indeed, long ago they used to play it regularly at the Top Rank Suite here in Brighton, UK it was very popular, you could always tell it was Jimmy couldn't you? Cheers, Eileen. JOHN

@salamanca268

+John G Byrne . We use to dance to this at the Ram Jam in Brixton and down the Tiles in Oxford street back in the 60s.

@brianbullard8291

Just heard this in a Super Bowl commercial. Michaloeb beer

@Rorrytherouter

Sad news R.I.P. Jimmy and thanks for the music.

@98Johnrobert

R.I.P Jimmy .. one of the great Motown Artists.

@JohnGByrne

9y↑1

MotownMagic1959
Yes, a sad time losing Jimmy Ruffin, he had lived in England for a time, but died in a hospital in Los Angeles. Will always be remembered by Motown fans! :-( JOHN

@weebilly007

John G Byrne So sad, R I P with all the other great Motown Artists Jimmy

@avenuesutton

16y

Jimmy ruffin takes some beatin . great

@TheWanker52

13y

WHY WHY WHY, IS THERE NO SONGS LIKE THESE ANYMORE,

@memphislover1

16y

wow, another awesome track..

@simon4186

13y

I LOVE MOTOWN!

@hotepkemi

15y

Very Nice song!!! Thank You for posting Hotepkemi from Cameroon

@TheWanker52

13y

WOW, WHAT A SONG

@marydenise7429

10y↑2

Its a tune for sure...

@kevinmchugh5997

Arguably his greatest recording in my opinion.

@JohnGByrne

8y↑1

+Kevin McHugh MotownMagic1959
I must say I like ALL Jimmy's recordings in fact if you like his voice like I do, try all my other additions, just type these in with my catalogue number etc and they should come up on You Tube, how about these: MM13, MM25, MM89, MM180, HD#267, HD#322, HD#335, HD#353, HD#360, HD#371, HD#378, HD#380, HD#397, HD#449, HD#454, HD#521, HD#526, HD#536. So if there's anyone who loves Jimmy Ruffin and I'm glad you like his singing Kevin :-) Please feel free to type any of my numbers in the search eh? Maybe you'll let me know what you think? I do really like to hear. JOHN

@kevinmchugh5997

+John G Byrne Thank you, John. I've loved his voice and music from as far back as I can remember. Wonderful!

@JohnGByrne

8y↑1

MotownMagic1959
Thank you too Kevin, keep listening eh? JOHN

@salamanca268

7y↑1

Kavin. I will second that. Man I remember dancing to it when it came out at 'The Ram Jam' in Brixton and later at the Tiles in Oxford st.

@robertcresser3387

I would agree

@JohnGByrne

16y

Yes, the original single had this track, but I believe it was later re-released with a different "B" side, they used to do that, Motown was very unique in that the "B" side would often sound as good as the "A" side, that why I like to add some of them to my collection on here, maybe someone who listens to them all today will find they haven't heard one before, "The Magic Of Motown" I hope :-) John

@JohnGByrne

17y

Thanks, it's nice to know you like them so far, nice to get comments too. John

@soulman1949ful

12y

cant remember which side i played out first,if ever there was a double a side it was this.tru classic motown.

@JOHNNYSOUL66

16y

a beauty what a b side

@razelma

17y

Another crackin tune my friend.

@melomanedame

13y

dont stop the love

@MrAdriancooke

4y↑1

Not his best-known song but I have always liked it

@JohnGByrne

MotownMagic1959
Yes, Adrian, he's certainly well known for this song, and he has sung such amazing songs over the years I remember, and seeing him LIVE too! A great. Cheers, for that. JOHN

@MrAdriancooke

@@JohnGByrne Most people only seem to know or remember What Becomes of The Broken-Hearted but he had many good songs

@JohnGByrne

4y↑1

MotownMagic1959
Yes, that's only too true, you can always find more of my Jimmy Ruffin tracks on my playlists by typing in the search JGB's MotownMagic Playlists on here too? I've got over 600 various sounds that I have in my collections Adrian. Many thanks, JOHN

@MrAdriancooke

@@JohnGByrne For some reason he was particularly successful here in England and I believe he lived here for a while: anyway I have always been a fan of his music

@chgosatrap

17y

love it. thanks, Mot, you're great!

@bennyclark4622

SAW JIMMY 1999 PAKEFIELD PONTINS HAD PICTURE TAKEN WITH THE GREAT MAN

@robertvelez8485

Hi, John! I just discovered that Brenda Holloway covered this song as well and you hear her version on Motown Unreleased 1966 which will be released shortly on a 4 CD set with 80 songs on Udiscoveredmusic.com! Check it out!

@JohnGByrne

MotownMagic1959
Ah! yes, I will have to check that out many thanks Robert and I'm sure anyone reading this will be interested, I looked at the Tamla lists for 1966 and the very last one was an unreleased one by Brenda that I added TAMLA 54144. 'Till Johnny Comes/Where were you So if anyone wants to look those up in the search above, they are HD#495.Brenda Holoway1966 and the other side: HD#530.Brenda Holloway 1966 Many thanks for that Robert, as I'm sure us Motown fans will be most interested eh? Cheers as always, :-) JOHN

@Davids508

14y

Jimmy made a lot of great music,most of which didnt chart.I've gotta believe that Motown's failure to promote him had a lot to do with it.They were too busy hyping their great groups,and somehow Jimmy got lost in the shuffle.Its a shame that Jimmy didnt replace his brother when he left the group,as bringing Dennis Edwards over totally changed their sound.When I first heard "Cloud 9" I knew that the great Temps sound (Losin You,Aint too porud to beg...etc)had changed for good.

@robertcresser3387

And to think this was a B side!.

@JohnGByrne

MotownMagic1959
That's what made Motown so good value for money in the 60's, you got a good track on both sides of the record, right? Cheers Robert for that one :-) JOHN

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