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"What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" is a hit single recorded by Jimmy Ruffin and released on Motown Records' Soul label in the summer of 1966. It is a ballad, with lead singer Jimmy Ruffin recalling the pain that befalls the brokenhearted, who had love that's now departed. The song essentially deals with the struggle to overcome sadness while seeking a new relationship after a breakup.

"What Becomes of the Brokenhearted"
Cover of the single released in the Netherlands
Single by Jimmy Ruffin
from the album Jimmy Ruffin Sings Top Ten
B-side	"Baby, I've Got It"
Released	June 3, 1966
Recorded	February 1966
Studio	Hitsville USA (Studio A)
Genre	Soul
Length	3:00
Label	Soul S 35022
Songwriter(s)	William Weatherspoon Paul Riser James Dean
Producer(s)	William Weatherspoon William "Mickey" Stevenson
Jimmy Ruffin singles chronology
"As Long As There Is L-O-V-E" (1965) "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" (1966) "I've Passed This Way Before" (1966)

The tune was written by William Weatherspoon, Paul Riser, and James Dean, and the recording was produced by Weatherspoon and William "Mickey" Stevenson. "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" remains one of the most-revived of Motown's hits.

Composers Weatherspoon and Riser and lyricist Dean had originally written "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" with the intention of having the Spinners, then an act on Motown's V.I.P. label, record it. Jimmy Ruffin, older brother of Temptations lead singer David Ruffin, persuaded Dean to let him do the tune, as its anguished lyric about a man lost in the misery of heartbreak resonated with the singer.

Ruffin's lead vocal is augmented by the instrumentation of Motown's in-house studio band, the Funk Brothers, and the joint backing vocals of Motown session singers the Originals and the Andantes. "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100, and at No. 6 on the Billboard R&B Singles chart, as well as No. 8 on the UK Chart. Eight years later, the song was reissued (with a B-side of Ruffin's minor US hit "Don't You Miss Me a Little Bit Baby"), and surpassed its original chart position, reaching No. 4, and thus making it his highest-placed chart single in the UK.

The song originally featured a spoken introduction by Ruffin, similar in style to many of Lou Rawls' performances at the time. The spoken verse was removed from the final mix, hence the unusually long instrumental intro on the released version. The spoken verse is present on the alternative mix from the UK 2003 release Jimmy Ruffin - The Ultimate Motown Collection, and as a new stereo extended mix on the 2005 anthology, The Motown Box:

A world filled with love is a wonderful sight.

Being in love is one's heart's delight.

But that look of love isn't on my face.

That enchanted feeling has been replaced.

Charts

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[5]	Silver	200,000
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Personnel

• Lead vocals by Jimmy Ruffin
• Background vocals by the Originals (Freddie Gorman, Walter Gaines, Hank Dixon, C.P. Spencer) and the Andantes (Jackie Hicks, Marlene Barrow, Louvain Demps)
• Instrumentation by the Funk Brothers
• String arrangements by Paul Riser[6]

Licensed uses

Film and television

In 1990, the song was used in The Wonder Years Season 3 Episode "The St. Valentine's Day Massacre" where Kevin Arnold picks up a Valentine's Day card meant for Winnie Cooper realizing he has genuine feelings for her.

In 2009, the song was used during the closing credits of the French film "La Famille Wolberg".

In 2019 HBO's "Big Little Lies", used the song in the first episode of the second season.[7]

In 2019 Apple TV+’s For All Mankind, used the song during the first episode of the first season.[8]

Paul Young version

"What Becomes of the Brokenhearted"
US retail cassette single; the US CD release was promo-only
Single by Paul Young
from the album Fried Green Tomatoes Soundtrack
B-side	"Ghost Train (Main Title)"
Released	January 1992 (1992-01)
Genre	Pop, blue-eyed soul
Label	MCA
Songwriter(s)	William Weatherspoon Paul Riser James Dean
Paul Young singles chronology
"Oh Girl" (1990) "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" (1992) "Now I Know What Made Otis Blue" (1993)

A 1991 cover by Paul Young was featured in the film Fried Green Tomatoes. During the winter of 1992, his version reached No. 22 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and No. 8 Cash Box,[9] becoming Young's third No. 1 song on the US adult contemporary chart (following "Everytime You Go Away" and "Oh Girl").[10] It was a bigger hit in Canada, reaching No. 6 pop[11] and No. 1 Adult Contemporary.[12]

Chart history

Other covers

This section needs additional citations for verification. (January 2018)

A 1980 rendition by Dave Stewart on synth and vocals by Zombies singer Colin Blunstone on Stiff. It reached No. 13 in the UK.^{[citation needed]} A 1996 cover version by Robson & Jerome spent two weeks at number-one in the UK Singles Chart.[17]

Joan Osborne recorded the song with the Funk Brothers for the soundtrack of the 2002 film Standing in the Shadows of the Motown. The track also appeared on Osborne's 2007 album Breakfast in Bed.[18]

Bruce Springsteen recorded the song for his 2022 album, Only the Strong Survive.

References

• Ritz, David (1992). "Jimmy Ruffin". Liner notes from Hitsville USA: The Motown Singles Collection: 1959 - 1971. Motown Record Company, L.P./PolyGram.

External links

• Jimmy Ruffin – What Becomes of the Brokenhearted on YouTube
• Paul Young – What Becomes of the Brokenhearted on YouTube
• Robson & Jerome – What Becomes of the Brokenhearted on YouTube
• List of cover versions of "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" at SecondHandSongs.com

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