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).
Hold on to Love
Jimmy Ruffin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And to say that the love, and all that we knew had just drifted away
And I look, in your eyes, and I couldn't bare the pain I felt inside, of my heart
To think I'm gonna be lonely again, and if e-ever, then I know at a glance
That I don't stand a chance
Hold on, to my love, I'm nothing, and I can't get along without you
Your the light of my life there no living without (your love)
It's so hard, to believe, that your going away could make me feel so down
'Cause I know, that from this moment on I won't have you around
And if e-ever you go, then I know at a glance that I won't stand a chance
So hold on, to my love, I'm nothing, and I can't get along without you
Your the light of my life
There no living without (your love)
Ooh, oh baby, nobody's taking you place but for you, but for me
Our love would live on for the whole world to see
So hold on, to my love, I'm nothing, and I can't get along without
You your the light of my life there no living without your love no
No, no, no, hey whooo
Honey hold on (hold on), to my love (my love)
I'm nothing (hold on) and I can't get along without you (hold on)
Your the light, your the light, of my life (my life)
There's no living without (your love)
Hold on, to my love)
Hold on, cause I'm nothin' girl, and I can't get along without you, you
Your the light of my life (my life)
And I just can't live without you
The song "Hold on to My Love" by Jimmy Ruffin expresses the pain of a man who has just been told that the love he shared with his partner has come to an end. The writer paints a picture of a man who is deeply in love with his partner but is now facing the reality of losing her. As he looks into her eyes, he couldn't bear the pain he feels inside his heart, knowing he will soon be lonely again. He realizes he won't stand a chance without her love, and he begs her to hold on to his love because he can't get along without her. He can't imagine living without her light because she's the light of his life.
The song captures the essence of heartbreak and the pain that comes with losing the person you love. It also highlights the power that love has over us and how without it, life seems bleak. Ultimately, the writer is trying to express how much he needs his partner to stay with him, and how he would do anything to make it work.
Line by Line Meaning
Today, you came by, to tell me you are leaving me
You came to me today to say that you are leaving me.
And to say that the love, and all that we knew had just drifted away
You told me that our love and everything that we had together has slowly disappeared.
And I look, in your eyes, and I couldn't bare the pain I felt inside, of my heart
When I looked into your eyes, I felt unbearable pain in my heart.
To think I'm gonna be lonely again, and if e-ever, then I know at a glance
That I don't stand a chance
The thought of being lonely again is overwhelming, and it's clear to me that I won't have a chance if you leave.
Hold on, to my love, I'm nothing, and I can't get along without you
Your the light of my life there no living without (your love)
Please hold on to my love because I am nothing without you, you are the most important thing in my life, I cannot live without your love.
It's so hard, to believe, that your going away could make me feel so down
'Cause I know, that from this moment on I won't have you around
And if e-ever you go, then I know at a glance that I won't stand a chance
It's difficult to comprehend that your leaving is making me feel so low, and I am aware that I won't have you in my life anymore. I am afraid that without you, I won't stand a chance.
Ooh, oh baby, nobody's taking you place but for you, but for me
Our love would live on for the whole world to see
Nobody can replace you, and our love will continue to exist for the whole world to notice.
Honey hold on (hold on), to my love (my love)
I'm nothing (hold on) and I can't get along without you (hold on)
Your the light, your the light, of my life (my life)
There's no living without (your love)
Hold on, to my love)
Hold on, cause I'm nothin' girl, and I can't get along without you, you
Your the light of my life (my life)
And I just can't live without you
Please cling onto my love because I am nothing without you, you are the light in my life, I cannot live without your love.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Derek John Weaver, Robin Hugh Gibb
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@RusSEAL
I literally “raised on the radio” as a kid growing up around small market radio…
I remember when this was premiered on a little station in the middle of fly/over Illinois…
I was the one to spin this licorice in 1980.
Still have that 45 with the RSO “Return to Distributor Upon Request” gold stamped on the label.
I thought it was a classic the moment it began to spin.
@GerryPreece-sz6hh
Always dancing with my wonderful husband to this song lost him to pancreatic cancer miss him every single day he is Always in my thoughts and Always in my heart ❤️ xxx
@nab1uk
Big loving !! And whatever you do in life! 3 minutes of a song can bring back so many memories take care ! God bless you 🎉❤
@GerryPreece-sz6hh
@@nab1uk thank you 😊
@Oak690
A wise man once said...when you are happy, you enjoy the melody but when you are broken, you understand the lyrics.
@constance4065
So very true!!
@susanfurness9039
100% True..🙏🏻
@debbie7860
That's deep 😢
@TheLifePhoenix
Nailed it
@siliconesal
Who said that ?
@gregv2k
Classic, was huge in its time. No reason it isn't still all over classic radio.