Introduction:
In the rich tapestry of soul music’s golden age, few songs have managed to capture the universal pain of heartbreak with the same emotional precision and sincerity as Jimmy Ruffin – What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted. Released in 1966 on Motown’s Soul subsidiary label, this powerful ballad remains not only Ruffin’s most enduring hit but also one of the defining anthems of romantic loss in the genre’s history. More than half a century later, the song continues to speak directly to the soul, as poignant today as it was upon its release.
At the time, Jimmy Ruffin, the older brother of Temptations lead singer David Ruffin, had been struggling to make his mark as a solo artist. But with “What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted,” he found a song that suited both his vocal style and emotional range perfectly. Written by the legendary trio William Weatherspoon, Paul Riser, and James Dean—not to be confused with the Hollywood actor—the track was originally intended for The Spinners, but fate would have it that Ruffin made it his own. His performance is a masterclass in restrained anguish, delivering each line with aching authenticity and a voice that sounds both weathered and hopeful.
The song’s orchestration, arranged by Paul Riser, is a lush blend of strings, brass, and the unmistakable Motown rhythm section—The Funk Brothers—creating a dramatic sonic landscape that elevates the lyrical melancholy. There’s a quiet grandeur in the way the melody moves: solemn but never stagnant, heavy with grief yet buoyed by just enough optimism to keep going. It is this delicate emotional balance that makes “What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted” resonate so deeply across generations.
Lyrically, the song poses a universal question—what do we do when love ends? What happens to those left behind in the wake of love lost? These are not just rhetorical musings but deeply human concerns. Ruffin’s voice doesn’t just sing the words; it inhabits them. He embodies a man trying to find purpose and peace after emotional devastation, wandering “in search of love,” haunted by memories, and longing for healing in a world that seems indifferent to his pain.
What’s remarkable is how the song, for all its sadness, is never melodramatic. Instead, it’s reflective. It gives space for the listener to sit with their emotions, to feel understood without judgment. It’s no wonder that Jimmy Ruffin – What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted has been covered by artists across genres—from Paul Young to Joan Osborne—and featured in numerous films and TV shows. The song transcends era and style because it touches on something timeless: the search for meaning after love has gone.
For listeners rediscovering this classic or hearing it for the first time, the song is a reminder that broken hearts are not alone in their sorrow. Through Ruffin’s voice, we’re given not just a story of loss, but a companion in grief—and perhaps, a quiet hope for healing.