David Ruffin, Walk Away From Love | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 69^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2024), we recollect and reflect on “Walk Away From Love” by David Ruffin. 

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 69^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2024), we recollect and reflect on “Walk Away From Love”, performed by David Ruffin.

“It’s just a fear that builds within me / Every time you touch my hand,” the late, great David Ruffin (1941 – 1991) sings, continuing, “And a dread that shakes my body / That even I don’t understand.” Ruffin was one of the greatest lead singles in Motown history. He was gifted! “Walk Away From Love” appears as the third track from his 1975 album, Who I Am.  One of six charting pop singles and one of two top-10 hits by the former member of The Temptations, “Walk Away From Love” peaked at no. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100. Charles Kipps composed “Walk Away From Love” while Van McCoy produced the memorable soul joint.

Thematically, love has got David Ruffin anxious, exemplified by the first verse.  In the second, his anxiety continues as he asserts, “Ooh, you’re clinging to me tighter / Than you ever have before, I don’t understand it / But I know it’s gonna take everything I’ve got / To keep walking out the door.” In the centerpiece, the chorus, he’s determined:

“So, I’m leaving, yes I am…

This time I’m playing it smart

I’m gonna walk away from love…

Before love, breaks my heart.”

As terrific as the lyrics are, the main attraction is David Ruffin.  He brings the soul, serving up commanding, gritty vocals.  Besides his grittiest moments, he also impresses with his falsetto.  His range is stellar. Accentuating his skilled, nuanced lead are background vocals that are equally locked in.  Furthermore, the instrumental is phenomenal.  Groovy from the onset, “Walk Away From Love” exemplifies the lush, smooth 1970s soul sound.  It features a marvelous arrangement with the rhythm section and orchestra (soaring strings and articulated horns).  “Walk Away From Love” doesn’t require extensive analysis – it speaks for itself.  Yes, David Ruffin had his fair share of demons, but damn was he a talented, talented man.

David Ruffin // Who I Am // Motown // 1975

David Ruffin, Walk Away From Love: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 69 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Motown; OpenClipart-Vectors, Speedy McVroom via Pixabay]