Put A Little Love In Your Heart With David Ruffin

Originally written by Jackie DeShannon, this is a cover version by David Ruffin – best known for his time with the Temptations.

David Ruffin, brother of Jimmy, was born in 1941 and although afflicted with a heart condition never wavered in his determination to succeed. He had some early success with “I’m In Love” and “Action Speaks Louder Than Words” before signing with Motown – where he shot to fame when he took the lead vocal on “My Girl” with the Temptations in 1964. It was their first number one single and secured David’s position as lead singer and front man. By 1967 however, his cocaine habit led to ego-related problems with the other members and by 1968 he was replaced within the group.

His first solo single with Motown was “My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left Me)” and got into the R&B Top Ten. He had further success with other singles culminating in the number 9 hit “Walk Away From Love” in 1975.

Ruffin established a number of successful partnerships including brother Jimmy, Eddie Kendrick and Hall & Oates. However, his drug use remained his key weakness and led to his death from an overdose in 1991. His brother Jimmy commented ‘The David Ruffin that he showed to the public was not really David. It was a David concocted and manufactured for public consumption…..those people who can’t be themselves and have to play these roles, the business will kill them.’

Sample “Put a little love in your heart” on Motown 50 here:

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