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).
Rurn Back the Hands of Time
Jimmy Ruffin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can't sleep at night always think about you
But if I had the chance to start all over
I would be wishing today on a four leaf clover
And leaving you with the last thing on my mind
If I could turn back the hands of time
Oh darling I can't hold out much longer
But if I had just one more try
I would be yours, yours alone until the day I die
and we would have a love so divine
If I could turn back the hands of time
Oh darling please, please let me come back home
Your love has been so good to me baby
And I just relied without it
I can't go on and you're the other half
That makes my life complete
If I had one more chance we'd have a love so sweet
In Jimmy Ruffin's song "Turn Back the Hands of Time," the singer expresses his deep longing and loneliness for his lost love. He cannot stop thinking about her and wishes he could start all over again with her. He laments that he would leave her with the last thing on his mind, meaning he would have no regrets or unresolved feelings. If only he could turn back the hands of time, he could fix things and have a future with her.
The pain of separation is becoming unbearable to him, and he pleads with his former lover to give him one more chance. He promises her a love that is divine and eternal. If he had just one more try, he would devote himself completely to her until the end of his days. He begs her to let him come back home, acknowledging that she is the other half that completes him.
Overall, the song is a heart-wrenching plea for a second chance at love. The singer acknowledges his past mistakes and emphasizes his desire to make things right with his lost love.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh darling I'm so lonely without you
I miss you so much, my dear.
Can't sleep at night always think about you
You are always on my mind, I can't sleep without thinking of you.
But if I had the chance to start all over
If I could go back and do things differently,
I would be wishing today on a four leaf clover
I would do everything to make it right this time and be lucky in love.
And leaving you with the last thing on my mind
I regret not valuing our love as the most important thing in my life.
If I could turn back the hands of time
If only I could reverse time and correct my mistakes and take back my actions.
Oh darling I can't hold out much longer
I'm breaking apart without your love and can't keep it up anymore.
Oh the pain's so deep and the hurt is getting stronger
My heartbreaks and the pain gets deeper every moment that I spend without you.
But if I had just one more try
If I got another chance at our love.
I would be yours, yours alone until the day I die
I would never leave your side ever again and commit myself to you only.
and we would have a love so divine
Together, we would have a perfect and heavenly love.
Oh darling please, please let me come back home
Please give me a chance to be with you again.
Your love has been so good to me baby
I realize how much you mean to me and how much your love has impacted me.
And I just relied without it
I can't live without your love in my life.
I can't go on and you're the other half
I'll never be complete without you, you're the one who makes me whole.
That makes my life complete
Our love is what makes my life worth living, without it, there's no life at all.
If I had one more chance we'd have a love so sweet
If I had the opportunity to make it right, our love would be the sweetest, most passionate love in the world.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bonnie Thompson, Jack Daniels
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind