My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left Me) (3:27)

“My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left Me)” is the solo debut single for former Temptations lead singer David Ruffin, released on Motown Records in early 1969 (see 1969 in music).

The song was written by Harvey Fuqua, Johnny Bristol, Pam Sawyer, and James Roach, with its melody and intro based upon the classical music piece “Frühlingslied” by Felix Mendelssohn. Fuqua and Bristol handled the recording’s production.

Ruffin had been dismissed from the Temptations in June 1968 for what has been repeatedly deemed increasingly unprofessional behavior. The song was originally intended to be sung by the Temptations when Ruffin was still the group’s front man, but when he finally agreed to a solo contract with Motown, the song was given to him.

A bittersweet ballad in the style of “Since I Lost My Baby”, “All I Need”, “I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You)”, “(Loneliness Made Me Realize) It’s You That I Need”, “(I Know) I’m Losing You” and “I Wish It Would Rain”, Ruffin, as the narrator, sings of the extensive pain he has felt since his lover has left him. All throughout the song, Ruffin asks his lover why she left him, what he did wrong that drove her away, and professes to her that without her, his life is meaningless. Singing backup for Ruffin on the recording are The Originals, who the same year would score a hit of their own with “Baby I’m For Real”.