Why What Becomes of the Brokenhearted Still Moves Us After Decades

“What Becomes of the Brokenhearted” is a deeply emotional soul ballad performed by Jimmy Ruffin, released on June 3, 1966 under the Soul label, part of the legendary Motown Records. The song reflects on the despair and emptiness following a broken relationship, asking the poignant question: What becomes of the brokenhearted, who have loved and lost and have to part?

Written by William Weatherspoon, Paul Riser, and James Dean, the track was originally intended for The Spinners. However, Ruffin recognized the depth of the lyrics and convinced the producers to let him record it
Upon its release, the song quickly captured hearts, reaching #7 on the Billboard Hot 100, #6 on the R&B Singles chart, and #8 on the UK Singles Chart in 1966. When re-released in 1974, it climbed even higher in the UK, peaking at #4.

The production featured the legendary Funk Brothers as the backing band, with harmonies provided by The Originals and The Andantes, creating a lush, soulful soundscape that has stood the test of time.

𝐉𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐲 𝐑𝐮𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐧 – 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐎𝐟 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝

Originally meant for The Spinners
The song was initially written for the vocal group The Spinners, but Jimmy Ruffin lobbied to record it himself — a decision that made music history.

Spoken intro removed
The original recording included a spoken-word introduction by Ruffin, which was removed in the final release, giving the song its now-iconic instrumental opening.

Motown heartbreak anthem
With lyrics like “As I walk this land of broken dreams” and “Happiness is just an illusion,” the song became one of Motown’s defining breakup ballads.

Family ties to The Temptations
After returning from the army in 1964, Jimmy was offered a spot in The Temptations but was passed over in favor of his younger brother, David Ruffin. This twist of fate led Jimmy to carve out his solo legacy.

Ruffin’s signature hit
“What Becomes of the Brokenhearted” remains Jimmy Ruffin’s most famous song, cementing his place in soul music history. He passed away on November 17, 2014, at age 78.

Video