David Ruffin
David Ruffin (1941–1991) was an American soul singer best known as the charismatic lead vocalist for The Temptations during their "Classic Five" era from 1964 to 1968. Recognized for his distinctive raspy tenor and dramatic stage presence, he sang lead on iconic hits such as "My Girl" and "Ain't Too Proud to Beg".
Born Davis Eli Ruffin in Whynot, Mississippi, on January 18, 1941, he sang gospel before moving to Detroit. He joined The Temptations in January 1964, and his lead on "My Girl" in 1965 became the group's first #1 hit. Ruffin led the group on several other hits but was dismissed in June 1968 due to personal issues.
He had solo hits like "My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left Me)" and "Walk Away from Love". He briefly reunited with The Temptations in 1982 and toured with former members in the late 1980s.
David Ruffin died on June 1, 1991, from an accidental drug overdose. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a Temptation in 1989 and recognized by Rolling Stone as one of the greatest singers.
Everything’s Coming Up Love
Written-By – Van McCoy
4:22
A2 First Round Knock-Out
Written-By – Van McCoy
8:44
A3 Good Good Times
Written-By – Charles H. Kipps, Jr.
3:41
A4 On And Off
Written-By – Van McCoy
3:21
B1 Ready, Willing And Able
Written-By – Van McCoy
3:32
B2 Everything's Coming Up Love
Written-By – Van McCoy
4:54
B3 Let's Get Into Something
Written-By – Van McCoy
4:52
B4 Until We Said Goodbye
Written-By – Charles H. Kipps, Jr.
3:34
Label: Motown – M6-866S1
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1976
Genre: R&B Soul, Funk
Style: Seventies Soul, Motown
Released in 1976, David Ruffin’s Everything's Coming Up Love is a solid, Van McCoy-produced soul/R&B album, showcasing a shift towards polished, mid-tempo disco-fied funk.
While featuring Ruffin's signature raspy vocals, the album relies on a sophisticated NYC-based session sound, receiving mixed reviews for its artistic direction versus its professional, dance-oriented quality.
Produced by Van McCoy, the album features his signature, lush mid-70s disco-soul sound, similar to his work with The Stylistics. It includes prominent orchestrated backing vocals from Faith, Hope & Charity.
Ruffin remains in excellent voice, bringing emotional depth to both ballads and upbeat tracks. The title track and a nearly nine-minute version of "First Round Knock-Out" (originally by Joe Frazier) are notable, though some reviews felt the material was formulaic for the era.
Opinions were divided; some found the material less inspired than his previous solo work, viewing it as a competent but safe attempt to fit into the changing, disco-heavy, R&B landscape of the mid-70s.
Overall, it is considered a fun, professional, and overlooked piece of 70s soul, although not reaching the heights of his earlier albums.
My Whole World Ended
Written-By – H. Fuqua, J. Roach, J. Bristol, P. Sawyer 3:15
A2 Pieces Of A Man
Written-By – J. Bristol, P. Sawyer 2:46
A3 Somebody Stole My Dream
Written-By – H. Cosby, J. Hinton, P. Sawyer 2:57
A4 I've Lost Everything I've Ever Loved
Written-By – J. Bristol, T. Kemp 2:55
A5 Everlasting Love
Written-By – Cason, Gayden 2:58
A6 I've Got To Find Myself A Brand New Baby
Written-By – H. Fuqua, J. Bristol, M. Johnson, S. DePasse 2:53
B1 The Double Cross
Written-By – A. Story, H. Gordy 2:57
B2 Message From Maria
Written-By – Al Reed 3:25
B3 World Of Darkness
Written-By – H. Fuqua, T. Kemp 3:55
B4 We'll Have A Good Thing Going On
Written-By – A. Story, H. Gordy 2:34
B5 My Love Is Growing Stronger
Written-By – J. Bristol, M. Johnson 2:39
B6 Flower Child
Written-By – D. McNeil, J. Bristol 2:40
Label: Motown – MS685
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1969
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Sixties Soul, Motown
David Ruffin's 1969 debut solo album, My Whole World Ended, is a powerful showcase for his raw, emotive voice, capturing deep heartbreak with classic Motown production, featuring the hit title track and strong renditions like "Everlasting Love," though some reviewers found it slightly less consistent than hoped, it's celebrated for its intense emotion and Ruffin's signature gritty vocals, marking a significant post-Temptations start.
The album functions as a near-concept record, exploring devastating loss and heartbreak with palpable pain.
Despite being from 1969, the arrangements (strings, flutes, funk rhythms) retain the lush, high-quality Motown sound Ruffin was known for with The Temptations.
Critics praise his expressive, scratchy, and gritty voice, which conveys deep emotion, melancholy, and a "working man's" struggle, elevating even the material.
Standout Tracks:
"My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left Me)": The iconic title track perfectly captures the album's theme with dramatic strings and Ruffin's anguished delivery, feeling like a classic Temptations-style ballad.
"Everlasting Love": Often cited as a highlight, Ruffin's version is considered by some to be the best ever recorded.
The album topped the Billboard R&B Albums chart and reached #31 on the Billboard Pop charts, demonstrating Ruffin's solo viability. Some critics found it solid but lacked a standout hit beyond the title track, while others loved the entire record, especially the stripped-down back half. It established Ruffin as a major solo artist, capturing his peak vocal power before later career challenges.
In essence, My Whole World Ended is essential listening for Temptations fans, offering raw, emotional depth and showcasing Ruffin's unmatched vocal prowess in a richly produced Motown setting.
Who Am I
Written-By – Charles H. Kipps, Jr. 4:01
A2 It Takes All Kinds Of People To Make A World
Written-By – Joe Cobb, Van McCoy 4:25
A3 Walk Away From Love
Written-By – Charles H. Kipps, Jr. 5:30
A4 I've Got Nothing But Time
Written-By – Van McCoy 3:23
A5 The Finger Pointers
Written-By – Joe Cobb, Van McCoy 3:27
B1 Wild Honey
Written-By – Joe Cobb, Van McCoy 4:46
B2 Heavy Love
Written-By – Joe Cobb, Van McCoy 4:51
B3 Statue Of A Fool
Written-By – David Ruffin 4:25
B4 Love Can Be Hazardous To Your Health
Written-By – Jesse Boyce 4:59
Label: Motown – M6-849S1
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1975
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul
David Ruffin's Who I Am (1975) is generally seen as a strong comeback album, showcasing his iconic raw, soulful voice, a departure from disco's gloss, with standout tracks like "The Finger Pointers," praised for its classic soul feel and emotional depth, though some critics noted repetitive 4/4 beats and bells, yet it solidified Ruffin's place as a premier 70s male soul vocalist, per Rate Your Music and Rock's Backpages.
Ruffin's passionate, anguished tenor shines, proving his strength as a solo artist beyond The Temptations, notes Rate Your Music.
It blends classic soul with emerging 70s sounds, offering a real, gritty feel against the era's slicker disco, making it a favorite for soul fans.
Produced with Van McCoy, it successfully brings Ruffin's talent to the forefront, creating a great listening experience, according to Rate Your Music and Rock's Backpages.
Standout Tracks: "The Finger Pointers," "It Takes All Kinds of People," and other soulful numbers are frequently highlighted.
Reviewers praised its authenticity and Ruffin's commanding voice, even while some found minor issues with its contemporary beat structures.
Who I Am captures David Ruffin at his soulful best, a powerful statement of his enduring talent in the mid-70s soul scene, making it a highly regarded album for fans of classic Motown and male vocalists.