David Ruffin
David Ruffin · 1973
33 min · 10 tracks · soul
Soulful vocals intertwine with lush arrangements, conveying deep emotion and heartfelt storytelling throughout the album.
Top tracks — play these first
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(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don’t Want to Be Right — This track showcases Ruffin's powerful vocal delivery and emotional depth, making it a defining moment on the album and a classic in soul music.
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I Miss You, Part 1 — The poignant exploration of longing and heartbreak here highlights Ruffin's ability to convey vulnerability through his voice, resonating deeply with listeners.
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Common Man — A social commentary woven into a soulful melody, this track exemplifies Ruffin's lyrical depth and connection to broader societal issues, enhancing his artistic persona.
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Blood Doners Needed (Give All You Can) — This song stands out for its call to action and community spirit, reflecting Ruffin’s engagement beyond music and showcasing his versatility as an artist.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Ruffin's debut showcases strong vocal performances and rich arrangements, though it lacks a cohesive flow across all tracks.
What we noticed
- The album features lush orchestral arrangements that complement Ruffin's vocal delivery, particularly on tracks like '(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don’t Want to Be Right.'
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don’t Want to Be Right
The bridge shifts from questioning love to an acceptance of desire, revealing the internal conflict between societal norms and personal feelings.
This structural pivot intensifies the emotional stakes of the song, illustrating the struggle between heart and conscience that defines much of soul music.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 The Rovin’ Kind 3:10
- 2 Common Man 2:59
- 3 I’m Just a Mortal Man 2:47
- 4 (If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don’t Want to Be Right 4:14
- 5 There Will Always Be Another Song to Sing 2:47
- 6 I Miss You, Part 1 3:40
- 7 Blood Doners Needed (Give All You Can) 6:15
- 8 A Little More Trust 2:57
- 9 Go On With Your Bad Self 2:30
- 10 Day in the Life, of a Working Man 2:34
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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