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).
Let's Say Goodbye Tomorrow
Jimmy Ruffin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Give up all my love for you, a love I've had for so long.
I can't let you walk away without calling out your name.
Telling you I need you girl, how can you leave me baby
Let's say goodbye tomorrow
Wait one more day before you break my heart
Just give me 20-24 hours honey
One happy day before you break my heart
In the name of love, I've asked you girl, please stay here one more day
Don't say you can't give me a chance, I can find a way
Show you that it's wrong of you, to say you want to leave
I'm the love you looking for, girl you can find in me... so
Let's say goodbye tomorrow
Wait one more day before you break my heart
Just give me 24 hours honey
One happy day before you break my heart
Do I have to beg?
Do I have to cry?
Do I have to get down on my knees and ask you why?
Oh,
If I haven't changed your mind, please let me try once more
To put sweet love into your heart, the way it was before
Put yourself in my place girl and understand a pleading man
And remember the love,
The way it was
Help me save it if we can
The lyrics to Jimmy Ruffin's "Let's Say Goodbye Tomorrow" speak to the pain and desperation that comes with the prospect of losing a long-held love. The singer is being told by his girlfriend that he must walk away from their relationship, and he is begging her for just one more day before she breaks his heart. He pleads with her to understand that he can be the love she's looking for, imploring her to remember the love they once had, and to allow him the chance to rekindle it before they say their final goodbyes. The chorus, where he asks her to wait one more day, is a poignant plea for a little more time to hold on to what is slipping away.
Overall, the song highlights the raw emotions that come with the end of a love affair. It captures the heartache and the desperation that can come when we realize that someone we love might be slipping away from us. Through his music, Ruffin encourages his listeners to hold on to love and to fight for it, even in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
You've come to tell me girl, that I must walk away from love.
You're informing me that I must give up on love.
Give up all my love for you, a love I've had for so long.
I've been holding onto my love for you for a long time now and you're asking me to let it go.
I can't let you walk away without calling out your name.
I can't just let you leave without telling you how much you mean to me.
Telling you I need you girl, how can you leave me baby
I need you to know that I require you in my life and can't understand how you're able to walk away.
Let's say goodbye tomorrow
Let's delay our goodbye by a day.
Wait one more day before you break my heart
Give me only one more day of happiness before you break my heart.
Just give me 20-24 hours honey
Kindly give me one day before it's over between us.
One happy day before you break my heart
If I must live without you, let me have just one more day of happiness with you before you go.
In the name of love, I've asked you girl, please stay here one more day
I'm asking you to honor and cherish our love by staying with me one more day.
Don't say you can't give me a chance, I can find a way
Please don't outright reject our love - I'm willing to make a way for us to be together.
Show you that it's wrong of you, to say you want to leave
I'll prove to you that wanting to end our relationship is the wrong choice.
I'm the love you looking for, girl you can find in me... so
I am the love you've been looking for, and you can discover that within me.
Do I have to beg?
Is it necessary for me to plead with you?
Do I have to cry?
Must I shed tears to make you stay?
Do I have to get down on my knees and ask you why?
Do I need to humble myself by kneeling and begging you to explain why?
If I haven't changed your mind, please let me try once more
If I haven't been able to alter your decision, allow me to try again.
To put sweet love into your heart, the way it was before
I want to implant love and affection in your heart just like I once did.
Put yourself in my place girl and understand a pleading man
Understand the emotions and motivations of a man asking for one more chance.
And remember the love, the way it was
Recall the warmth and passion of our love.
Help me save it if we can
Let's unite to preserve our love if we can.
Writer(s): James Dean, William Weatherspoon
Contributed by Hailey L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@themassofmen
Jimmy, the master of unrequited love, for if you've ever loved someone and lost them, then these vocals, timing, phrasing and sheer emotion convey the crescending and crushing pain that will last your lifetime.
@iancormack2916
In my opinion one of his best from all the joy hes given me over the years RIP Jimmy
@wintergardensllandudno9977
haunting background vocals, quite simply superb, thanks for posting
@leoscarpoli1nonly
Sounds like his brother David doing the background and backup.
@allenfriend1778
Sounds like The Originals along with the great David Ruffin, providing the backgrounds.
@flatdweller
Not heard this in a while ... love it x
@sharond5079
In the name of LOVE MR JIMMY RUFFIN just LOVE this tune x
@jonathanclary3992
RIP Jimmy Ruffin (1936-2014)🎵❤
The UK'S Greatest Singer of all time
@JayvsJueJue
thank you for uploading this video.....plz keep uploading rare "unheard" songs from overlooked great artists like this
@yorkshirelass8624
Cant believe i found this thanx