If you’ve ever found yourself driving late at night with nothing but a flickering radio for company, you’ve probably heard it. That lone, mournful horn. The steady, march-like beat. Then, that voice—raw, desperate, and somehow dignified all at once.
Jimmy Ruffin wasn't the biggest star at Motown. That title usually went to his brother, David Ruffin of The Temptations. But Jimmy owns one of the most hauntingly beautiful songs ever pressed to vinyl.
The lyrics What Becomes of the Brokenhearted Jimmy Ruffin recorded in 1966 weren't just about a breakup. They were about an existential crisis set to a 4/4 beat. Honestly, most soul songs from that era talk about "baby please come back" or "I saw you with another guy." This song is different. It’s a philosophical inquiry into what happens when the very concept of love fails you.
The Song That Almost Wasn't Jimmy’s
Here’s a bit of trivia that most people get wrong: this wasn't written for Jimmy Ruffin.
The songwriters—William Weatherspoon, Paul Riser, and James Dean—actually had the Spinners in mind. You can almost hear how they would have done it, maybe with a smoother, more polished harmony. But Jimmy Ruffin heard the demo and knew it was his. He begged the writers to let him record it.
He didn't just sing it; he inhabited it. Jimmy had just come back from a stint in the Army. He was older, more weathered than the typical Motown teen idol. You can hear that maturity in the way he handles the opening lines:
"As I walk this land of broken dreams / I have visions of many things."
It’s not just "I'm sad." It’s "I am a ghost in a landscape of failure."
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Breaking Down the Lyrics: What Becomes of the Brokenhearted Jimmy Ruffin
When you look closely at the lyrics What Becomes of the Brokenhearted Jimmy Ruffin made famous, the imagery is surprisingly dark for a 1960s pop hit.
The first verse sets a bleak scene. Happiness is described as an "illusion," which is a pretty heavy word for a radio single. Then you hit that chorus. The question isn't "how do I get her back?" It's "What becomes of the brokenhearted?"
It’s a collective question. He’s asking for all of us.
The Missing Intro
There’s a version of this song you might not have heard. Originally, there was a spoken word introduction. Jimmy would talk over the music, saying things like, "A world filled with love is a wonderful sight."
The producers at Motown, known for their "Quality Control" meetings where Berry Gordy and others would ruthlessly edit tracks to make them hits, decided to cut it. They thought it was too slow. They were right. By cutting the talk, they left that iconic instrumental intro to build tension. It makes the eventual entry of Ruffin’s voice feel like a dam finally breaking.
The Search for Light
The second verse moves from the "land of broken dreams" to a more personal struggle.
- "I walk in shadows searching for light" – This isn't just a metaphor; you can feel the physical weight in his delivery.
- "Cold and alone, no comfort in sight" – The Funk Brothers (Motown's legendary house band) keep the rhythm steady here, like a heartbeat that won't stop even when you want it to.
Basically, the song is a paradox. The music is driving and upbeat enough to dance to, but the words are about being "always moving and going nowhere."
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Why the Song Hit Differently in the UK
Interestingly, while the song was a huge hit in the US (reaching #7 on the Billboard Hot 100), it became a permanent fixture of British culture.
Jimmy Ruffin eventually moved to the UK because the audiences there treated him like royalty. In 1974, they re-released the song, and it actually charted higher than it did the first time. There’s something about that stoic, "keep on searching" attitude in the lyrics that resonated with the British soul scene.
Even today, if you go to a Northern Soul night in Manchester or London, this track is treated with a level of reverence usually reserved for national anthems.
The Covers: From Paul Young to Big Little Lies
A great song is a chameleon. You've probably heard the version by Paul Young from the Fried Green Tomatoes soundtrack. It’s fine. It’s very... 90s. He hits the notes, and it has that big, polished production.
But it lacks the grit.
Then you have versions by everyone from The Supremes to Dave Stewart. Recently, it popped up in the show Big Little Lies. Every time a new generation hears it, they find something new in those words. Why? Because heartbreak is the only truly universal experience.
The Technical Brilliance of the Funk Brothers
We can't talk about the lyrics What Becomes of the Brokenhearted Jimmy Ruffin sang without mentioning the guys behind him.
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The Funk Brothers were the secret sauce. James Jamerson on bass (probably) and Earl Van Dyke on keys. If you listen to the bass line, it’s doing a lot of heavy lifting. It’s melodic but firm. It provides the "peace of mind" that the lyrics are so desperately searching for.
And those backing vocals? That’s a combination of The Originals and The Andantes. Most Motown songs used one group. This song used two. They wanted that "wall of sound" to feel like a choir in a cathedral of grief.
How to Truly Listen to This Classic
If you want to appreciate this song beyond just a catchy 60s tune, try this:
- Find the Mono Mix: The stereo mixes of the 60s often panned the vocals to one side and instruments to the other. The mono mix is punchy, centered, and hits you right in the chest.
- Focus on the Outro: Near the end, Jimmy starts ad-libbing. "I'll be looking every day... I know I'm gonna find a way." This is the pivot. The song starts in despair and ends with a grim, stubborn determination.
- Read the Lyrics Separately: Read them like a poem. "The roots of love grow all around / But for me they come a-tumbling down." It’s actually quite sophisticated writing for a three-minute pop song.
Actionable Takeaways for Music Lovers
Jimmy Ruffin passed away in 2014, but he left behind a masterclass in emotional delivery. If you’re a songwriter or just a fan, there are a few things to learn from this track:
- Vulnerability wins. Ruffin wasn't afraid to sound like he was on the verge of crying. That’s what makes it human.
- Contrast is key. Pairing depressing lyrics with a driving, soulful beat creates a tension that keeps the listener engaged rather than just making them sad.
- Less is often more. The decision to cut that spoken intro made the song a timeless hit. Sometimes, you have to kill your darlings to save the art.
If you’re feeling a bit lost or just need to remind yourself that your feelings are valid, put this track on repeat. It doesn't give you easy answers. It just asks the right questions.
Next Steps for Your Playlist:
To get the full picture of the Ruffin legacy, listen to Jimmy’s "I’ve Passed This Way Before" immediately after. It’s written by the same team and acts almost like a spiritual sequel to the "Brokenhearted" saga. Then, compare Jimmy’s grit to David Ruffin’s lead on "Ain’t Too Proud to Beg." The family talent was truly staggering.