Another Motown great left us. This time it was Jimmy Ruffin (born 1936), older brother of David Ruffin, lead singer of The Temptations. Although Jimmy never attained the fame of his brother, he had one indubitably immortal soul song, and that was this one, released in 1966:
“What becomes of the broken hearted” was written by William Weatherspoon, Paul Riser, and James Dean, which explains why this was Ruffin’s only top ten hit. He had the pipes, but not the ability to write songs (Riser was the genius there). Nevertheless, this song will always be a golden oldie, and I’ve danced to it many times.
The spoken introduction in the version above was ditched from the final recording, which you can hear here.
And, just for fun, here’s the best cover of that song ever, sung by Joan Osborne on “Standing in the Shadows of Motown” video, in which the original Motown sidemen, self-named “The Funk Brothers”, played some of the label’s greatest hits. (Video highly recommended by Professor Ceiling Cat.) Osborne’s version is a bull-goose rocker, and features many of the people who played on Ruffin’s original hit. They didn’t lose a beat over the years.
Notice how a Motown song is instantly recognizable from the first bars, and every song had a different and special lick to start it off. (Listen to “Ooo, Baby Baby” and the beginning three drumbeats, for instance.) That was due largely to the improvisatory skill of The Funk Brothers.
Very sad…
My favourite Jimmy Ruffin track? If I may, it’s a slightly more obscure one than is typical, called ‘In the neighbourhood’.
A rarer, but fabulous Motown groove, less upbeat and intense than most of their hits, but a great record and wonderful laid-back vocals.
From one of the very great collections of Northern soul/Motown CDs – ‘A Cellarfull of Motown’.
I hope it’s ok to post a YouTube link?
youtube.com/watch?v=petLY1iDVac
RIP, Rest in Peace?
I appreciate the sentiment, but there is no peace or rest in death, only oblivion. Except, of course, that his lovely song lives on.
Whenever I do an “RIP”, someone always informs me that a dead person isn’t really resting, as if I didn’t know that. Do I really need that lesson?
In case you hadn’t guessed, it’s just an less jarring way of saying “X died”.
In much the same way that expressions such as “for God’s sake” don’t necessarily mean that the utterer has any belief in the existence of god. It’s what happens with language – the meanings of words and phrases drift over time to mean subtly – and sometimes substantially – different things.
I always think when they say on the news someone has died, that they ought to say someone has lived. If you see what I mean…
Requiescat in pace…
I see the glorious days of Motown… They lived and they left… Don’t be too sad, this is the way of life.
What about those who don’t feel their life have ever started, and they die? …
” . . . written by William Weatherspoon, Paul Riser, and James Dean, which explains why this was Ruffin’s only top ten hit. He had the pipes, but not the ability to write songs (Riser was the genius there).”
Some (most?) great songwriters can’t sing; most singers can’t write melodies or lyrics. (The latter especially requires a certain minimum literacy – especially if one thinks it reasonable and appropriate to make ones lyrics rhyme – lacking in pop music nowadays.) Rare and fortunate are those who can do both (all three). Some melody writers can’t write lyrics; some lyricists can’t create a great melody line. The Gershwins, George (“Mr. Music”) and Ira (“Mr. Words”), come to mind.
Some performers (who at the time are “hot” and can therefore impose their will about such matters) will insist on getting half of the song-writing credit. I had an interesting discussion with a former singing chum about that. I thought it unethical and dishonorable. Yea, verily, a lie. He disagreed because, I gather, it was okay because the performer in question could get away with it. It was a “reasonable and customary” thing to do in the biz. (My former singing chum was/is a self-described “person of faith,” and made/makes sure to read every “Left Behind” novel. I see that there’s a “Left Behind” movie coming out.)
“What becomes of the broken hearted” was written by William Weatherspoon, Paul Riser, and James Dean, which explains why this was Ruffin’s only top ten hit.”
I’m not sure that the premise is true. Holland-Dozier-Holland wrote all of the Supremes early hits, as well as those of the Four Tops. Smokey Robinson co-wrote all of the early hits by the Temptations, and others contributed later to their more funky sound. And so on. Most of the the Motown performers in Ruffin’s day were not songwriters. I suspect that Ruffin was for some reason low in the pecking order for receiving the latest songs from the “Hit Factory”.
Well, I just listened to a lot of versions of What becomes of the broken hearted and I think you’ve picked the best cover, Jerry. In fact, Joan is great in Heat Wave in that video too. The video comes across like there is a whole lot of fun and affection between all the performers in the room.
Yes, “Heat Wave” is a real gem. I was gonna post that, too, but it would have gone too far from the topic. And I suspect that somewhere back in the Pleistocene of this site I have posted it already!
‘Osborne’s version is a bull-goose rocker’
Exquisite. She is so impressive to hear during those performance(s).
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Gawd I love Standing in the Shadows of Motown! I was lucky enough to see it in theatres, twice. Totally engrossing, you walk out transformed.
And Joan is perfect.
Joan Osbourne – famed for ‘What if god was one of us’ – I saw her in London yeeeaaaars ago – fantastic voice.
I beg her pardon – Joan Osborne! I bet she has that all the time…
Joan Osborne simply tears it apart! Best performance in the whole “Funk Brothers” film.
The whole concept of the film was wonderful,a great showcase and tribute to the musicians who formed the core of the “Motown” sound.
I know that song in my childhood but not sung by him. I listened to the cover versions listed in Wikipedia but none of them sounded quite right. If it was one of them, it was probably the Paul Young version.
I don’t think anyone’s mentioned it, but Jimmy and David Ruffin teamed up to record an album called “My Brother’s Keeper,” released in 1970. It wasn’t a commercial success, but it’s a wonderful album (you can hear their version of “Stand By Me” at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tI91XMrzi0). Amazon says the CD is out of print, but the mp3s can be purchased. Highly recommended.
Incidentally, I think the only great soul singer still alive is Al green.