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).
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).
Gotta Let You Go
Jimmy Ruffin Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Gotta Let You Go' by these artists:
Bachelor Girl It's a sad day But some good will come of…
DJ Tonka & Stefan Rio I gotta let you go I gotta let you go I gotta…
Dominica I gotta let you go (4x) I need someone who treats…
G-nut I can't stop thinking about the way we were we…
K.A.S.I.M. The rain, just never seems to bring the joy, I feel…
Marc Van Linden feat. Amanda Wilson Hey Tú Sólo tú lo tienes Tienes todo y todo va empezando Sól…
Michael Mind I gotta let you go No more sleepless nights I gotta let…
Phil Gould I never meant to hurt you It's all I seem to…
Sonic One I gotta let you go I gotta let you go No more…
Toby Love Feat. Max Agende P.I.C. I gotta let you go I gotta let you go No more…
Various Artists When I feel that lonesome prairie wind I let my soul…
We have lyrics for these tracks by Jimmy Ruffin:
15. As Long As There Is L-O-V-E Love You've told me lots times there's another on your mind And…
A Love Like Yours Baby, baby, baby, baby, baby You don't have to tell…
All Your Love There's a train leaving here tomorrow. (Leaving here) And…
And There You Were Maria hey hey eh eh hey Maria Maria don't you…
AS LONG AS THERE IS L-O-V-E LOVE You've told me lots times there's another on your mind And…
Baby Listen to me people I ain't got time to think about…
Beauty Is Only Skin Deep So in love, sad as could be 'Cause a pretty face…
Black Is Black Black is black, I want my baby back It's grey, it's…
Bless You Ev'ry time I faced the world I just had to cry I…
Do I Love You Girl I can't believe my ears, are you really tellin'…
Don't Let Him Take Your Love From Me Baby, baby, baby, baby, baby You don't have to tell…
Don't You Miss Me a Little Bit Baby I hear you're telling everybody That you're glad I'm gone Do…
Don`t Let Him Take Your Love From Me Baby, baby, baby, baby, baby You don't have to…
Don’t You Miss Me A Little Bit Baby I hear you′re telling everybody That you're glad I′m gone Do…
Falling In Love With You You see this girl, this girl's in love with you Yes,…
Farewell Is a Lonely Sound (Farewell farewell my love, farewell farewell my love) Fare…
Gonna Give Her All The Love I There's a train leaving here tomorrow. (Leaving here) And…
Gonna Keep On Tryin Till I Win Your Love GONNA KEEP ON TRYIN' TILL I WIN YOUR LOVE WRITERS NORMAN…
Half Of Your Love Baby, baby, baby, baby, baby You don't have to tell…
Halfway To Paradise I want to be your lover But your friend is…
Hold on to Love Today, you came by, to tell me you are leaving…
I Maria hey hey eh eh hey Maria Maria don't you…
I Could Never Love Another Girl I can't believe my ears, are you really tellin'…
I Got A Feeling There's a train leaving here tomorrow. (Leaving here) And…
I Got You You don't drive a big fine car You don't look like…
I Want Her Love There's a train leaving here tomorrow. (Leaving here) And…
I'll Say Forever My Love You Have Come To Me And You Ask Me How Much…
I've Passed This Way Before Life lands a freshing blow. And once again our…
It There must be a word that says how much I…
It Takes Two You don't drive a big fine car You don't look like…
It's Wonderful There must be a word that says how much I…
Let's Say Goodbye Tomorrow You've come to tell me girl, that I must walk…
Lonely Lonely Man Am I It happened once before, it could happen again Do you spend…
Love Love Love It's not that I don't love you,you know how much…
Love Me Baby, baby, baby, baby, baby You don't have to tell…
Maria Maria hey hey eh eh hey Maria Maria don't you…
Maria (You Were the Only One) Maria hey hey eh eh hey Maria Maria don't you hear…
My Baby's Gone Listen to me people I ain't got time to think about…
Rurn Back the Hands of Time Oh darling I'm so lonely without you Can't sleep at night…
Se Decidi Cosi As I walk this land with broken dreams I have visions…
Stand By Me When the night has come And the land is dark…
Take A Letter Maria Last night as I got home about a half past…
That's You Girl You see this girl, this girl's in love with you Yes,…
Too Busy Thinking About My Baby Listen to me people I ain't got time to think about…
Turn Back The Hands Of Time Oh darling I'm so lonely without you Can't sleep at night…
What Become...Broken Hearted As I walk this land with broken dreams I have visions…
What Becomes of the Broken Hearted (Re-Recorded Version) What becomes of the broken-hearted jimmy ruffin As i walk th…
What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted-Drum As I walk this land with broken dreams I have visions…
What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted - Single Version ooooooooooo As I walk this land of broken dreams I have visi…
What Becomes Of The Brokenhra As I walk this land with broken dreams I have visions…
Where Were You Maria hey hey eh eh hey Maria Maria don't you…
You Last week my life had meaning, it was beautiful and…
You Got What It Takes You don't drive a big fine car You don't look like…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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madeinengland59
Love it!
John G Byrne
I could be gone forever digging out all those great tracks in Motown's vaults :-) they don't seem to sound outdated do they either!! Thanks to all who like them. JOHN
Steven Atkinson
Great track John along with ( I KNOW HOW TO LOVE HER ) thanx for posting this gem LOVE IT LOVE IT
Jonathan Clary
RIP Jimmy Ruffin (1936-2014)❤🎵
The UK'S Greatest Singer of all time
John G Byrne
MotownMagic1959
Ah! He was certainly a superb singer was Jimmy, like his brother thanks Jonathan I wonder too if Motown fans saw how L A has opened Berry Gordy Square as a tribute to Berry, saying Motown founder underneath there's a video I'd recommend watching folks! I Cheers Jonathan JOHN
John G Byrne
That's amazing, I found Martha's later version! Gordy 7103 in October 1970, plus it was added to the other side of "Forget Me Not" in January 1971, in the UK TMG 762, so that's good you remembered this song, I will add Martha's version some time later on! Thanks for the info. JOHN
Robert Velez
This is original version of "I Gotta Let You Go" with Martha Reeves & The Vandellas doing the background voices! Years later, Martha did her own version!
John G Byrne
+Robert Velez MotownMagic1959
I bet that some Northern Soul fans were listening to bootleg copies of this song before the song was officially released in 1998! Martha is still touring after all this time too! Sad too that Jimmy died not so long ago as I mentioned above and there was not a single mention in the media too! :-( JOHN
Tom Davies
Love it John. Jimmy Ruffin is in a battle against Martha Reeves as to who owns the best version of this song... I think it's a draw! :)
kevin90034
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas did have a single release in 1970 which only made it to #43 on the Billboard R & B charts. Norman produced it as well. It sounds like the same track.