What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted

Album

Capital Gold: Platinum Legends

Label

Soul

Genre

Soul

Duration

0:00

Composer(s)

William Weatherspoon;Paul Riser;James Dean

Entered Chart

Aug 20, 1966

Peak Date

Oct 29, 1966

Released

June 3, 1966

Recorded

February 1966 Studio Hitsville USA (Studio A)

Catalog #

Soul 35022

B-Side

Baby I've Got It

This was written by Motown writers Jimmy Dean, Paul Riser, and William Witherspoon. They wrote it for The Detroit Spinners, but Ruffin convinced the Motown writers to let him try it, and they liked what they heard. Ruffin is the brother of The Temptations' David Ruffin. Many Motown songs deal with heartbreak, but this one is especially bleak. The poor guy has recently joined the ranks of the brokenhearted, and he's not sure what happens next. He knows he can't take the pain much longer, but keeps coming up empty in his search. Originally, this contained a spoken intro: 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 It was cut out before the song was released, but the version with the intro did appear on a British compilation which also included Ruffin's version of the song in Italian ("Se Decidi Cosi"). Smokey Robinson produced this track. He worked on many Motown classics as an artist, writer and producer. Other Motown acts to record this song include Diana Ross and The Supremes, who did a cover of this for their album Let the Sunshine In, and The Contours, who did it at a faster tempo. Both of these versions contains the spoken intro. Report this ad In the UK, this charted at #10 when it was first released in 1966, but make #4 when it was re-released in 1974. Dave Stewart (not the one from Eurythmics) released a keyboard-driven version of this song in 1980 with Colin Blunstone of The Zombies on vocals. This rendition, which had Amanda Parsons and Jakko on backing vocals, made #13 UK. The British duo Robson & Jerome took this song to #1 in the UK when they released it as a single along with covers of "Saturday Night At The Movies" and "You'll Never Walk Alone." Vonda Shepard recorded this for an episode of the TV series Ally McBeal. The Isley Brothers recorded a version entitled "Smile" that is the same exact backing track with different lyrics and phrasing. It can be found on the Motown Sings Motown Treasures album. >> Paul Young recorded this for the 1991 movie Fried Green Tomatoes. His version went to #1 on the US Adult Contemporary charts and made #22 on the Hot 100 (the only version besides Ruffin's to make this chart). On an episode of the TV series JAG, Col. MacKenzie plays the song on a jukebox in a bar, lamenting her breakup with Mick, the Australian naval officer. Mac, Bud (who was having romantic issues with Harriet) and Lt. Rabb (who just broke up with girl friend) are all sitting at the bar singing along with the song unaware of the others' romantic issues. The theme song from the 1992 Whitney Houston film The Bodyguard was Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You," but according to her leading man Kevin Costner speaking at her funeral in February 2012, the first choice was this song, which ended up being used in Fried Green Tomatoes (the Paul Young version). >> Bruce Springsteen recorded the song for his 2022 R&B and soul covers album, Only the Strong Survive.

As I walk this land with broken dreams
I have visions of many things
But happiness is just an illusion
Filled with sadness and confusion
What becomes of the broken-hearted
Who had love that's now departed?
I know I've got to find
Some kind of peace of mind
Maybe

The roots of love grow all around
But for me they come a-tumblin' down
Every day heartaches grow a little stronger
I can't stand this pain much longer
I walk in shadowsm searching for light
Cold and alone, no comfort in sight
Hoping and praying for someone to care
Always moving and goin' nowhere
What becomes of the broken-hearted
Who had love that's now departed?
I know I've got to find
Some kind of peace of mind
Help me

I'm searching, though I don't succeed
But someone look, there's a growing need
Oh, he is lost, there's no place for beginning
All that's left is an unhappy ending
Now, becomes of the broken-hearted
Who had love that's now departed?
I know I've got to find
Some kind of peace of mind

I'll be searching everywhere
Just to find someone to care
I'll be looking everyday, I know I'm gonna find a way
Nothing's gonna stop me now
I'll find a way somehow
And I'll be searching everywhere
I know I gotta find a way
I'll be looking