What makes My Whole World Ended by David Ruffin notable?

The album was critically acclaimed and featured the hit single 'My Whole World Ended (the Moment You Left Me)', which reached No. 2 on the R&B charts. Its success helped to solidify Ruffin's reputation as a significant figure in soul music during the late 1960s. Released in 1969, My Whole World Ended marked David Ruffin's first solo album after leaving The Temptations, where he had been a prominent lead vocalist. This debut established him as a solo artist, showcasing his powerful voice and emotional depth outside the context of the legendary Motown group.

How many songs are on My Whole World Ended?

My Whole World Ended has 12 tracks, running approximately 35 minutes.

My Whole World Ended

David Ruffin · 1969

35 min · 12 tracks · soul

A heartfelt exploration of love and loss wrapped in soulful melodies and poignant vocal performances.

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Top tracks — play these first

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My Whole World Ended (the Moment You Left Me) — This track serves as the emotional centerpiece of the album, highlighting Ruffin's expressive vocal delivery and lyrical vulnerability, making it a timeless classic in soul music.
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Everlasting Love — With its lush instrumentation and passionate delivery, this track exemplifies Ruffin's ability to convey deep emotion, establishing a connection with listeners that resonates throughout the album.
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Somebody Stole My Dream — This song stands out for its poignant narrative of heartbreak and yearning, showcasing Ruffin's remarkable ability to infuse personal pain into his performance.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

Ruffin's debut solo effort showcases strong songwriting and lush production, marking his transition from group to solo artist.

What we noticed

Several tracks feature orchestral arrangements that enhance the soulful vocal delivery, particularly in 'Everlasting Love' and 'My Love Is Growing Stronger'.
The sequencing includes a notable shift in energy with 'World of Darkness', which introduces a more introspective mood before returning to upbeat tracks.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 4/10

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.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 My Whole World Ended (the Moment You Left Me) 3:15
2 Pieces of a Man 2:46
3 Somebody Stole My Dream 2:57
4 I’ve Lost Everything I’ve Ever Loved 2:55
5 Everlasting Love 2:58
6 I’ve Got to Find Myself a Brand New Baby 2:53
7 The Double Cross 2:57
8 Message From Maria 3:25
9 World of Darkness 3:55
10 We’ll Have a Good Thing Going On 2:34
11 My Love Is Growing Stronger 2:39
12 Flower Child 2:40

What to play next

Listen next

Feelin’ Good

1969

Go back to

Feelin' Good

1969

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Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata