David Ruffin
Image: David Ruffin’s captivating stage presence, captured in a photo from Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images, highlighting his dynamic performance style.
David Ruffin, a voice synonymous with soul music’s golden era, remains one of the most iconic vocalists of all time. While his tenure with The Temptations cemented his legendary status, his solo career, though marked by challenges, produced a treasure trove of unforgettable songs. Despite being ousted from The Temptations in 1968, a move that deeply affected him, Ruffin’s talent was undeniable. Alongside his brother, fellow Motown luminary Jimmy Ruffin, David possessed a vocal brilliance that transcended any setback. Although his biggest hits often trace back to his Temptations years, exploring David Ruffin Songs as a solo artist reveals a captivating artistry. From the depths of funk to the shimmering heights of disco, the best David Ruffin songs showcase a performer unafraid to lay bare his vulnerability, a hallmark of a true soul singer. These 20 standout tracks serve as a powerful reminder of David Ruffin’s enduring genius.
Listen to the best David Ruffin songs on Spotify.
20: My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left Me)
Launching his solo journey post-Temptations, David Ruffin delivered this electrifying Motown gem in 1969. “My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left Me)” is a powerful showcase of passion and vocal warmth, instantly recognizable as the voice that propelled The Temptations to superstardom, now in a compellingly vulnerable solo light. This track soared into the US Top 10, initially suggesting a seamless solo transition for Ruffin. However, despite this early triumph, replicating this level of success proved elusive, and it would be six years before he reached similar heights again.
19: I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You) (The Temptations)
“I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You)” stands as a remarkable spotlight for David Ruffin within The Temptations’ catalog. Initially, the track feels almost like a dedicated David Ruffin solo piece. Notably, this single marked the final Temptations release to feature Ruffin’s prominent lead vocals. True to the song’s sentiment, Ruffin never joined another group after his departure, though he did reunite with The Temptations in 1982. Post-1968, both Ruffin and the beloved Motown group entered a new, altered phase. Adding a layer of poignancy, “I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You)” was the last composition by Rodger Penzabene, who tragically died by suicide in 1967 at just 23 years old.
18: I’m So Glad I Fell For You
From his second solo album, Feelin’ Good (1969), often considered a step down from his debut, “I’m So Glad I Fell For You” emerges as a powerful standout track. This song bursts with gospel-infused energy, a testament to redemption, though centered on earthly love rather than divine salvation. Elevated by prominent organ chords and the Hal Davis chorus, David Ruffin’s performance is nothing short of captivating.
17: Smiling Faces Sometimes
David Ruffin faced stiff competition with “Smiling Faces Sometimes.” Co-writer and producer Norman Whitfield had already achieved success with The Undisputed Truth’s rendition and also offered it to The Temptations. Rare Earth, Whitfield’s rock-oriented act, even recorded a moody, Latin-tinged version. Yet, David Ruffin’s 1974 interpretation surpasses them all in emotional depth. From its mysterious intro to its world-weary conclusion, Ruffin’s “Smiling Faces Sometimes” is utterly compelling. Remarkably, the absence of the song’s signature funk groove is hardly noticed, as Ruffin’s vocal delivery completely embodies the track’s essence.
16: I’ve Lost Everything I’ve Ever Loved
Featured on David Ruffin’s debut solo album, My Whole World Ended, “I’ve Lost Everything I’ve Ever Loved” is a quintessential, smooth Motown creation penned by Johnny Bristol. Released as a single, it arguably echoed its predecessor’s style too closely to achieve similar chart success. Nonetheless, it remains a stellar soul record from 1969, showcasing Ruffin’s emotive vocal delivery.
15: Beauty’s Only Skin Deep (The Temptations)
While The Temptations weren’t the original artists to record “Beauty’s Only Skin Deep,” it was their 1966 rendition that became a hit. David Ruffin’s lead vocals are, in a word, beautiful. A comparative listen to brother Jimmy Ruffin’s version is worthwhile, highlighting the superior arrangement of The Temptations’ recording, with its delicate xylophone contrasting sharply with punctuating brass bursts. This classic Temptations track showcases the sophisticated Motown sound.
14: Flower Child
“Flower Child,” a psychedelic soul gem from David Ruffin’s debut album, features backing vocals that sound strikingly like The Temptations, or perhaps masterful impersonators! Ruffin’s lead vocal performance is exceptional. Intriguingly, the track subtly repurposes the riff from Marvin Gaye’s “One More Heartache” in the background. Despite limited mainstream recognition, this driving track is a hidden Motown classic, blending soul with psychedelic undertones.
13: (I Know) I’m Losing You (The Temptations)
David Ruffin’s ability to convey desperation was a defining quality he brought to The Temptations, powerfully illustrated in “(I Know) I’m Losing You,” a narrative of love’s decline. Reaching the Top 10 in 1967, these emotionally charged two and a half minutes are a prime example of why soul aficionados consider The Temptations among the greatest groups of all time. Ruffin’s raw vocal performance captures the agony of heartbreak.
12: Your Love Was Worth Waiting For (The Ruffin Brothers)
In 1970, David joined forces with his brother Jimmy Ruffin, renowned for “What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted,” for the album I Am My Brother’s Keeper. “Your Love Was Worth Waiting For,” drawn from this collaboration, is a spacious and soulfully magnificent track. Penned by Pam Sawyer and Leon Ware, the song evokes the early 70s classic album feel of Marvin Gaye. The brothers’ vocal blend is a highlight.
11: Blood Donors Needed (Give All You Can)
“Blood Donors Needed (Give All You Can)” delivers tough, gritty grooves from 1973, portraying a city’s descent into violence after dark. This song pulls no punches, and the album it comes from, David Ruffin, produced and largely written by Bobby Miller, remains significantly underrated. David Ruffin proves perfectly suited to this raw, funky soundscape. The lyrics were later adapted by reggae singer Jimmy Riley for his roots single “Darkness On The City,” yet the original deserves far greater recognition.
10: Ain’t Too Proud To Beg (The Temptations)
Another tale of fractured love, “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg” marked a pivotal transition for The Temptations, moving from Smokey Robinson’s production to Norman Whitfield’s. Whitfield intentionally set the song in a higher key than Ruffin’s comfortable range, pushing the singer to reach for notes, resulting in the pleading, yearning vocal performance that perfectly embodies the lyrics. This is soul genius in action, showcasing Ruffin’s vocal power and range.
9: Each Day Is A Lifetime
David Ruffin faced a challenging period at Motown in the early 1970s. Singles sales declined, and his third album remained unreleased. “Each Day Is A Lifetime,” intended for that unreleased album, is a dazzling track that surprisingly failed to chart when released as a single in 1971. It’s a stunning example of dark, baroque Motown, rich in mood and atmosphere. These early 70s sessions were eventually released decades later as the album David, proving their timeless quality, though this belated recognition offered little solace to Ruffin, who did not live to witness their release.
8: Since I Lost My Baby (The Temptations)
“Since I Lost My Baby,” a 1965 Temptations classic penned by Smokey Robinson, features a character humbled by heartbreak, brilliantly voiced by David Ruffin. Everything has gone wrong since his love departed; Ruffin perfectly embodies a soul lost and alone. The song’s melancholic beauty is a testament to both Robinson’s songwriting and Ruffin’s interpretation.
7: Heavy Love
“Heavy Love,” a glorious result of the collaboration between David Ruffin’s smoky soul style and master producer Van McCoy, is a 1975 thriller perfectly tailored for the disco era. Yet, it retains the gospel undertones deeply rooted in Ruffin’s vocal style. Listen closely for the heartfelt falsetto wail he unleashes at the song’s fade – a signature Ruffin moment of pure emotion. This track bridges soul and disco seamlessly.
6: I Can’t Stop The Rain
David Ruffin’s fruitful partnership with producer-arranger-writer Van McCoy sustained his career throughout much of the disco era. “I Can’t Stop The Rain” is a smooth, elegant single that resonated in the UK and the Netherlands, though less so in the US. Its title subtly echoes The Temptations’ 1967 hit, “I Wish It Would Rain,” which Ruffin also fronted. Ruffin’s vocal performance here is breathtakingly nuanced and expressive.
5: I Wish It Would Rain (The Temptations)
Here is The Temptations’ 1967 classic, “I Wish It Would Rain,” with David Ruffin seeking solace in a setting that mirrors his inner turmoil: darkness and rain. The emotional weight of Ruffin’s vocal performance makes this song intensely moving, almost capable of making the clouds weep. This track is a quintessential soul ballad.
4: Rode By The Place (Where We Used To Stay)
“Rode By The Place (Where We Used To Stay)” is high-gloss soulful disco from 1977 that has also gained traction as a “modern” Northern soul favorite. Written by Marv Johnson, who recorded Motown’s very first single, “Come To Me,” the song possesses a strong sense of realism, which David Ruffin honors with his beautifully understated and sincere vocal delivery. This track showcases a mature and reflective side of Ruffin’s artistry.
3: A Day In The Life, Of A Working Man
Another gritty gem from the David Ruffin album, “A Day In The Life, Of A Working Man” sees Ruffin embody the frustrations of a blue-collar man grappling with life and love’s challenges. The wonderfully sparse arrangement, devoid of unnecessary embellishment, allows his voice to convey the raw emotion and directness of the lyrics. This song is a powerful portrayal of everyday struggles.
2: My Girl (The Temptations)
Smokey Robinson penned “My Girl” specifically for The Temptations after recognizing David Ruffin as the group’s underutilized “secret weapon” upon seeing them perform. Recorded in 1964, “My Girl” became The Temptations’ first No.1 hit the following year, launching them into mainstream superstardom and firmly establishing David Ruffin as a leading voice in soul music. This song is a cornerstone of the Motown sound.
1: Walk Away From Love
The early 1970s were a lean period for David Ruffin. Despite consistently releasing excellent records, he didn’t achieve a significant pop hit until November 1975. Meanwhile, The Temptations, the group he never wanted to leave, enjoyed a string of chart-topping successes. However, by the mid-decade, their star began to dim as David Ruffin’s fortunes dramatically turned with “Walk Away From Love.” This soul-disco diamond, produced by Van McCoy, became a Top 10 smash on both sides of the Atlantic, revitalizing Ruffin’s solo career and solidifying its place as his signature song.
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