David Ruffin discography

Last updated

David Ruffin discography
Studio albums12
Compilation albums5
Singles35

This article is a discography for the work of former Temptations singer David Ruffin as a solo artist and in other group acts outside of The Temptations. It also includes a listing of his lead vocal recordings with The Temptations.

Contents

Solo discography

Albums

David Ruffin
YearAlbumChart positions
US
[1]
US R&B
[1]
1969 My Whole World Ended
  • First studio album
  • Released on May 1, 1969
  • Labels: Motown
311
1969 Feelin' Good
  • Second studio album
  • Released in November 1969
  • Labels: Motown
1489
1971 David
  • Previously unreleased studio album
  • Released on June 25, 2004
  • Labels: Hip-O Records
1973 David Ruffin
  • Third studio album
  • Released in February 1973
  • Labels: Motown
16034
1974 Me 'n Rock 'n Roll Are Here to Stay
  • Fourth studio album
  • Released in December 1974
  • Labels: Motown
37
1975 Who I Am
  • Fifth studio album
  • Released on October 1, 1975
  • Labels: Motown
315
1976 Everything's Coming Up Love
  • Sixth studio album
  • Released on May 1, 1976
  • Labels: Motown
5116
1977 In My Stride
  • Seventh studio album
  • Released on June 1, 1977
  • Labels: Motown
36
1979 So Soon We Change 19
1980 Gentleman Ruffin 66
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.
The Ruffin Brothers (David & Jimmy Ruffin)
YearAlbumChart positions
US
[1]
US R&B
[1]
1970 I Am My Brother's Keeper
  • First and only studio album released by The Ruffin Brothers (David Ruffin and his brother Jimmy Ruffin)
  • Released in 1970
  • Labels: Soul (Motown)
17815
Daryl Hall & John Oates with David Ruffin & Eddie Kendrick
YearAlbumChart positions
US 200 US R&B
1985 Live at the Apollo 2141
Ruffin & Kendrick
YearAlbumChart positions
US 200 US R&B
1988 Ruffin & Kendrick 60

Compilations

YearAlbum
1977At His Best
  • Released in 1977
  • Labels: Motown
1998The Ultimate Collection
  • Collection of Motown solo singles in original 45 RPM single formats
  • Released in 1998
  • Labels: Motown
2002The Essential Collection
  • Europe and South Africa only
  • Released in 2002
  • Labels: Motown/Universal Music
2005The Great David Ruffin: The Motown Solo Albums, Vol. 1
  • Compiles My Whole World Ended, Feelin' Good, David Ruffin, and Me 'n Rock 'n Roll Are Here to Stay
  • Released on August 26, 2005
  • Labels: Hip-O Select/Motown
2006The Great David Ruffin: The Motown Solo Albums, Vol. 2
  • Compiles Who I Am, Everything's Coming Up Love, and In My Stride along with unreleased bonus tracks
  • Released in October 13, 2006
  • Labels: Hip-O Select/Motown

Singles

David Ruffin singles
YearTitleB sideLabel
1958"Believe Me""You and I"Vega 1002, as "Little David Bush"
1960"I'm In Love""One of These Days"Anna 1127
1961"Actions Speak Louder Than Words""You Can Get What I Got"Check-Mate 1003
1962"Knock You Out (With Love)""Mr. Bus Driver (Hurry)"Check-Mate 1010
Motown releases
YearTitle and catalog numberPeak Chart PositionsAlbum
US
[1]
US R&B
[1]
US Dance
[1]
UK
[2]
1969"My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left Me)" (Motown 1140)

b/w "I’ve Got to Find Myself a Brand New Baby"

9
2
My Whole World Ended
"I've Lost Everything I’ve Ever Loved" (Motown 1149)

b/w "We’ll Have a Good Thing Going On"

58
11
"I’m So Glad I Fell for You" (Motown 1158)

b/w "I Pray Everyday You Won’t Regret Loving Me"

53
18
Feelin' Good
1971"Each Day is a Lifetime" (Motown 1187)

b/w "Don’t Stop Loving Me"

David - The Unreleased Album
"You Can Come Right Back to Me" (Motown 1187)

b/w "Dinah"

1972"Little More Trust" (Motown 1204F)

b/w "A Day in the Life of a Working Man"

David Ruffin
1973"Blood Donors Needed (Give All You Can)" (Motown 1223F)

b/w "Go On with Your Bad Self"

80
"Common Man" (Motown 1259F)

b/w "I’m Just a Mortal Man"

84
1974"Me and Rock & Roll (Are Here to Stay)" (Motown 1259F)

b/w "Smiling Faces Sometimes"

52
Me 'n Rock 'n Roll Are Here to Stay
1975"Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are)" (Motown 1259F)

b/w "No Matter Where"

"Walk Away from Love" (Motown 1376F)

b/w "Love Can Be Hazardous to Your Health"

9
1
6
10
Who I Am
1976"Heavy Love" (Motown 1388F)

b/w "Love Can Be Hazardous to Your Health"

47
8
5
"Everything’s Coming Up Love" (Motown 1393F)

b/w "No Matter Where" (from Me 'n Rock 'n Roll Are Here to Stay)

49
8
Everything's Coming Up Love
"On and Off" (Motown 1405F)

b/w "Statue of a Fool" (from Who I Am)

48
1977"Just Let Me Hold You for a Night" (Motown 1420F)

b/w "Rode by the Place (Where We Used to Stay)"

18
In My Stride
"You’re My Peace of Mind" (Motown 1435F)

b/w "Statue of a Fool" (from Who I Am)

71
"I Can't Stop the Rain" (TMG 1078)(Only in UK and Netherlands)

b/w "My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left Me)" (from My Whole World Ended)

"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.
Warner Bros. releases
YearTitle and catalog numberPeak Chart Positions
US
[1]
US R&B
[1]
UK
[2]
Album
1979"Sexy Dancer" (Warner Bros. 49030)

b/w "Break My Heart" (R&B #9)

So Soon We Change
"Chain on the Brain" (Warner Bros. 49123)

b/w "I Get Excited" (R&B #79)

1980"Slow Dance" (Warner Bros. 49277)

b/w "Don't You Go Home"

63
Gentleman Ruffin
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.
Motorcity release
YearTitle and catalog number
1991"Hurt the One You Love" (12", Motorcity 33)

Group singles outside of The Temptations

The Voice Masters

YearTitleCatalogue number
1959"Hope and Pray" b/w "Oops I'm Sorry"Anna 101
1959"Needed" b/w "Needed (For Lovers Only)"Anna 1012
1960"Everything About You" b/w "Orphan Boy"Anna 1114
1960"Every Time" b/w "I'm Free"Anna 1123
1960"In Love in Vain" b/w "Two Lovers"Frisco 15235

The Ruffin Brothers (David & Jimmy Ruffin)

YearTitleCatalogue number
1970"Stand by Me" b/w "Your Love Was Worth Waiting For" Soul 35076
1971"When My Love Hand Comes Down" b/w "Steppin' on a Dream"Soul 35082

Daryl Hall & John Oates with David Ruffin & Eddie Kendrick

YearTitleRecord label
1985"A Night at the Apollo Live!" (US R&B #40, US Pop #20, US AC #12, UK #58) [3] RCA Records

Ruffin & Kendrick

YearTitleRecord label
1987"I Couldn't Believe It" (US R&B #14, [4] US AC #48, [4] UK #85 [2] )RCA Records
1988"One More for the Lonely Hearts Club" (US R&B #43 [4] )RCA Records

Complete lead vocals with the Temptations

Notes

  1. Chart position is from the official UK "Breakers List".

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Temptations</span> American rhythm and blues group

The Temptations are an American vocal group from Detroit, Michigan, who released a series of successful singles and albums with Motown Records during the 1960s and 1970s. The group's work with producer Norman Whitfield, beginning with the Top 10 hit single "Cloud Nine" in October 1968, pioneered psychedelic soul, and was significant in the evolution of R&B and soul music. The band members are known for their choreography, distinct harmonies, and dress style. Having sold tens of millions of albums, the Temptations are among the most successful groups in popular music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ain't Too Proud to Beg</span> 1966 single by the Temptations

"Ain't Too Proud to Beg" is a 1966 song and hit single by The Temptations for Motown Records' Gordy label, produced by Norman Whitfield and written by Whitfield and Edward Holland Jr. The song peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Pop Chart, and was a number-one hit on the Billboard R&B charts for eight non-consecutive weeks. The song's success, in the wake of the relative underperformance of the previous Temptations' single, "Get Ready", resulted in Norman Whitfield replacing Smokey Robinson, producer of "Get Ready", as The Temptations' main producer. In 2004 it finished number 94 in AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs poll thanks to its inclusion in The Big Chill soundtrack.

<i>TCB</i> (TV program) 1968 soundtrack album by Diana Ross & the Supremes with The Temptations

TCB is a 1968 television special produced by Motown Productions and George Schlatter–Ed Friendly Productions of Laugh-In fame. The special is a musical revue starring Motown's two most popular groups at the time, Diana Ross & the Supremes and The Temptations. Containing a combination of showtunes, specially prepared numbers, and popular Motown hits, the special was taped before a live studio audience in September 1968 and originally broadcast December 9, 1968 on NBC, sponsored by the Timex watch corporation. The title of the program uses a then-popular acronym, "TCB", which stands for "Taking Care of Business".

<i>Meet the Temptations</i> 1964 studio album by The Temptations

Meet the Temptations is the debut studio album by the Temptations for the Gordy (Motown) label released in 1964. It includes most of the group's early singles, excluding only the first, "Oh Mother of Mine", and its b-side, "Romance Without Finance" ; as well as the single "Mind Over Matter", in which the group is credited as The Pirates. The album consists entirely of previously released singles, including the group's first hit single, "The Way You Do the Things You Do".

<i>Gettin Ready</i> 1966 studio album by The Temptations

Gettin' Ready is the fourth studio album by The Temptations for the Gordy (Motown) label released in 1966. It marks the transition of the group from having Smokey Robinson as its main producer, with new producer Norman Whitfield taking over Robinson's position. Two #1 R&B hit singles, one from each producer, are included: "Get Ready" from Robinson with Eddie Kendricks on lead, and "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" from Whitfield with David Ruffin on lead. Also included is the original version of "Too Busy Thinking About My Baby," which would be rerecorded as a hit for Marvin Gaye in 1969. The album was also one of the last albums to contain tracks co-authored by members of the group until the release of The Temptations Do The Temptations (1976). As with previous Temptations albums, several songs are written by members of The Miracles: Smokey Robinson, Bobby Rogers, Pete Moore, Ronnie White, and Marv Tarplin.

<i>The Temptations in a Mellow Mood</i> 1967 studio album by The Temptations

The Temptations in a Mellow Mood is a studio album by the Temptations, released in 1967 by Gordy Records. Composed primarily of pop standards such as "Ol' Man River" and "For Once in My Life", and similar songs written by Holland-Dozier-Holland and other Motown staff songwriters, the Mellow Mood album was part of Motown chief Berry Gordy's crossover plans for the group. Gordy wanted the Temptations, already the most popular male group among black audiences, to attract a large white fanbase and be able to secure playdates at supper clubs like the Copacabana, where the group had first performed in the summer of 1967.

<i>Greatest Hits</i> (The Temptations album) 1966 greatest hits album by The Temptations

Greatest Hits is a 1966 greatest hits album for The Temptations, released by the Gordy (Motown) label. It peaked at #5 on the Billboard 200 album chart and remained on the chart for 120 weeks. Included are popular Temptations hits such as "The Way You Do the Things You Do", "Get Ready", "Since I Lost My Baby", "My Baby", "Don't Look Back", and their signature #1 hit, "My Girl". One non-album single, "Beauty Is Only Skin Deep", is also included; it was a #3 hit in the summer and fall of 1966.

<i>Greatest Hits II</i> (The Temptations album) 1970 greatest hits album by The Temptations

Greatest Hits II is a 1970 greatest hits album for The Temptations, released by the Gordy (Motown) label. The sequel to the first Temptations greatest hits LP from 1966, Greatest Hits II collects several of the late-1960s hits that followed the release of the first compilation. Included here are the final collection of David Ruffin-led singles, including "(I Know) I'm Losing You", "I Wish It Would Rain" and "I Could Never Love Another ", and the first of the Dennis Edwards-led psychedelic soul records, including "Cloud Nine" and "Psychedelic Shack". A new non-album single, the #3 hit "Ball of Confusion ", is also included.

<i>The Temptations with a Lot o Soul</i> 1967 studio album by The Temptations

The Temptations with a Lot o' Soul is the fifth studio album by The Temptations for the Gordy (Motown) label released in 1967. Featuring four hit singles, With a Lot o' Soul is the most successful Temptations album from their "classic 5" era, during which David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks, Paul Williams, Melvin Franklin, and Otis Williams constituted the Temptations' lineup.

<i>Live at the Copa</i> (The Temptations album) 1968 live album by The Temptations

Live at the Copa is a 1968 live album recorded by The Temptations at the Copacabana supper club in New York City. Released in 1968 by Gordy (Motown) Records, Live at the Copa features new lead singer Dennis Edwards in place of David Ruffin. Edwards' first studio album with the Temptations would be the group's next album, 1969's Cloud Nine.

<i>Temptations Live!</i> 1967 live album by The Temptations

Temptations Live! is the first live album to be released by The Temptations. The album was recorded on October 3, 1966, at the Roostertail in Detroit, Michigan. The album cover photograph was taken in March 1966 at The 20 Grand, 14th and Warren in Detroit, Michigan, and the album was released on Gordy (Motown) Records in 1967. The album features David Ruffin, Paul Williams, Eddie Kendricks, Melvin Franklin, and Otis Williams performing their regular live repertoire for a highly receptive crowd mostly consisting of young women. Included in the set are Temptations hits such as "My Girl", "My Baby", "Get Ready", "Ain't Too Proud to Beg", "Don't Look Back", and the group's then-current single, "Beauty Is Only Skin Deep". Out of the several live albums the group recorded during their career, this is the only one to feature David Ruffin. The album remained on the Billboard pop albums chart for 51 weeks, peaking at number 10.

<i>The Temptations Wish It Would Rain</i> 1968 studio album by The Temptations

The Temptations Wish It Would Rain is a studio album by the Temptations, released in 1968 via Gordy Records. It was the final release from the group's "Classic-5" era, during which David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks, Paul Williams, Melvin Franklin, and Otis Williams constituted the Temptations' lineup.

<i>The Temptin Temptations</i> 1965 studio album by The Temptations

The Temptin' Temptations is the third studio album by The Temptations for the Gordy (Motown) label released in 1965. The album includes several of the group's hits from 1965, and also includes a handful of singles that were not included on the Temptations' first 1965 album, The Temptations Sing Smokey. Among these are the 1964 singles "Girl " and "I'll Be in Trouble"; and the 1965 singles "Since I Lost My Baby", and "My Baby". Seven of the album's 12 tracks had previously been released as singles and their B-sides, though "My Baby" preceded the album only by a month.

<i>Live at Londons Talk of the Town</i> (The Temptations album) 1970 live album by The Temptations

Live at London's Talk of The Town is a 1970 live album recorded by The Temptations at the Talk of the Town nightclub in London, England. It was the final live album released by the group for over thirty years, until The Temptations in Japan, recorded in 1973, was released in 2004. The album reached No. 21 on the Billboard 200 Pop Album Chart, and No. 5 on its R&B album chart.

<i>Emperors of Soul</i> 1994 box set compilation by The Temptations

Emperors of Soul is a 1994 box set compilation for The Temptations, released by Motown Records. The five-disc collection covers the Temptations' entire four-decade history, from the first recording of The Distants in 1959 to four new recordings by the then-current Temptations lineup of Ali-Ollie Woodson, Theo Peoples, Ron Tyson, and stalwart members Otis Williams and Melvin Franklin.

<i>Anthology</i> (The Temptations album) 1973 greatest hits album by The Temptations

Anthology: The Temptations is one of three greatest hits collections released by Motown Records covering the work of soul/R&B group The Temptations. The initial release was a vinyl three-LP set issued on August 23, 1973, which covered the group's work up to that point. A compact disc double album version was issued in 1986, including five additional tracks recorded between 1973 and 1984. The third and final version of Anthology, also a 2-CD release, was issued on May 23, 1995, with a further re-tooled track listing. In 2003, the album was ranked number 398 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time; the list's 2012 edition had it ranked 400th, while on the 2020 edition it was ranked at number 371.

<i>Lost and Found: Youve Got to Earn It (1962–1968)</i> 1999 compilation album by The Temptations

Lost and Found: You've Got To Earn It (1962–1968) is a compilation album by The Temptations. Released by Motown Records in 1999, it includes twenty unreleased Temptations records alongside unreleased mixes of "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" and "You've Got to Earn It". Most of the songs were recorded during the group's "Classic 5" era with David Ruffin and Eddie Kendricks as lead singers, although there are some tracks present which were recorded with Ruffin's predecessor, Elbridge Bryant, in the lineup. There's also one track that was recorded with Ruffin's successor, Dennis Edwards.

"I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You)" is a single recorded by the Temptations and released on Motown Records' Gordy label during the spring of 1968. The song is the last with lyrics by Rodger Penzabene, and as the final Temptations single to feature David Ruffin as lead singer.

"Girl (Why You Wanna Make Me Blue)" is a 1964 hit single by The Temptations for the Gordy (Motown) label. It was the group's first A-side release to be produced by Norman Whitfield, who co-wrote the song with Edward Holland, Jr. of the Holland-Dozier-Holland songwriting team. With Eddie Kendricks singing lead for the third single in a row, it peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 Pop charts in the top 30 at number 26.

"Just One Last Look" is a 1966 song written and produced by Motown's main production team Holland–Dozier–Holland, and recorded by The Temptations for the Gordy (Motown) label, and The Four Tops for the main Motown label. Intended for release as a single for both, it was blocked from doing so and shelved.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "David Ruffin - Awards". AllMusic . Archived from the original on November 26, 2012. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 "DAVID RUFFIN - full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company . Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  3. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. pp. 298–299. ISBN   1-904994-10-5.
  4. 1 2 3 "David Ruffin & Eddie Kendricks Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography". Music VF. Retrieved December 1, 2021.

Further reading