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).

Half of Your Love
Jimmy Ruffin Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Baby, baby, baby, baby, baby
You don't have to tell me you've gone to found someone new.
'Cause I can feel his presence, whenever I'm-a-kissing you.
How can you ask me to try, try and understand
Well, just put yourself in my place.
Go on, just see if you can.
I'm-a begging you. (Don't, don't you let him)
Baby, please. (Don't let him, don't let him take your love from me)

I'm begging you, baby. (Don't, don't you let him)
Oh no. (Don't let him, don't let him take your love from me)
So what if he whispers how much he loves you in your ear.
But pay no mind 'cause I love you much more my dear
My love are like mountains.
That's how strong it is for you.
If you ever walk away in to his arms
Which will surely break my heart in two.
I'm begging you. (Don't, don't you let him)
Oh no. (Don't let him, don't let him take your love from me)
Baby, baby, I'm begging. (Don't, don't you let him)
No, no, no, no. (Don't let him, don't let him take your love from me)
Oh, I couldn't stand it, baby.

If you leave me for him you would truly be unfair.
Now, just ask yourself, whenever you needed me, wasn't I always there
Now, I'm begging you, baby, baby, down on my bended knees.
Baby, baby, baby, baby, baby, please stay here with me.
Baby, please. (Don't, don't you let him)
Oh no. (Don't let him, don't let him take your love from me)
Baby, baby, please. (Don't, don't you let him)
I couldn't stand it. (Don't let him, don't let him take your love from

me)
I ain't too proud to beg. (Don't, don't you let him)

Overall Meaning

In Jimmy Ruffin's song Don't Let Him Take Your Love From Me, the singer is pleading with his lover to not leave him for another man. He can sense the presence of this other man whenever he kisses his lover and begs her to put herself in his place and see if she could handle walking away from him. He assures her that his love for her is strong like mountains and pleads with her to not let the other man take her love away from him. He declares that if she does leave him for the other man, it would truly be unfair as he has always been there for her when she needed him. The song ends with him down on his bended knees, begging her to stay with him and not let the other man take her love away.

Half of Your LoveJimmy Ruffin Lyrics

Half of Your Love
Jimmy Ruffin Lyrics