Lost Lyrics is about adding verses to existing works from various musical artists. “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted” is a song written by lyricist James Dean, along with composers William Weatherspoon and Paul Riser. Jimmy Ruffin was the performing artist on the initial 1966 Motown Records release. Here are my added verses:
Why you left, you never gave a reason
Not even a crumb for me to seize on
I lick my wounds but that’s no solution
I keep searching in hopes of resolution
My soul is drained, there’s nothing left now
But I need to continue on somehow
My heart so heavy, pulls me down like an anchor
My brain’s in a fog, my mind’s in a stupor
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The Deleted Lyrics
Unknown to most, the song “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted” was written with an intro verse that was to be spoken. It was deleted for the original recording, although it subsequently appeared in the alternate mix from the UK 2003 release Jimmy Ruffin – The Ultimate Motown Collection, and as an extended mix on the 2005 anthology, The Motown Box. Here is the deleted verse:
A world filled with love is a wonderful sight
Being in love is one’s heart’s delight
But that look of love isn’t on my face
That enchanted feeling has been replaced
——
What Becomes of the Brokenhearted with Deleted and Lost Lyrics
Original lyrics by James Anthony Dean in green, his deleted lyrics in green italics, and my lost lyrics in black italics.
A world filled with love is a wonderful sight
Being in love is one’s heart’s delight
But that look of love isn’t on my face
That enchanted feeling has been replaced
As I walk this land of broken dreams
I have visions of many things
But happiness is just an illusion
Filled with sadness and confusion
What becomes of the brokenhearted
Who had love that’s now departed?
I know I’ve got to find
Some kind of peace of mind
Maybe
The roots of love grow all around
But for me they come a tumblin’ down
Every day heartaches grow a little stronger
I can’t stand this pain much longer
Why you left, you never gave a reason
Not even a crumb for me to seize on
I lick my wounds but that’s no solution
I keep searching in hopes of resolution
I walk in shadows, searching for light
Cold and alone, no comfort in sight
Hoping and praying for someone to care
Always moving and goin’ nowhere
What becomes of the brokenhearted
Who had love that’s now departed?
I know I’ve got to find
Some kind of peace of mind
Help me
My soul is drained, there’s nothing left now
But I need to continue on somehow
My heart so heavy, pulls me down like an anchor
My brain’s in a fog, my mind’s in a stupor
I’m searching though I don’t succeed
But someone look, there’s a growing need
All is lost, there’s no place for beginning
All that’s left is an unhappy ending
Now, what becomes of the brokenhearted
Who had love that’s now departed?
I know I’ve got to find
Some kind of peace of mind
I’ll be searching everywhere
Just to find someone to care
I’ll be looking every day,
I know I’m gonna find a way
Nothing’s gonna stop me now
I know I’ll find a way somehow
——
Listen to the song…
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Linked to Mindlovemisery’s Menagerie What Becomes of the Brokenhearted – Challenge #197, where host newepicauthor provides detailed background information on the songe.
See more Lost Lyrics.
Thanks Ron, your post was very interesting.