#United States #Detroit #Redemption Music #Motown #Heartbreak

The Legacy of 'What Becomes of the Brokenhearted'

On the 60th anniversary of the iconic Motown track 'What Becomes of the Brokenhearted', it's time to celebrate not only the tune itself but also the emotional weight it carries and the ongoing mission to protect the rights of artists who created such legacies.

Written and recorded in February 1966, this song was a product of a small recording studio in Detroit, where co-writer and arranger Paul Riser, along with the Motown team, sought to capture something genuine and relatable. Riser reflected on the atmosphere during the recording session, speaking about the weight of honesty that permeated the room—a mixture of sincerity and vulnerability that became the hallmark of the song.

The emotional scope they aimed for was palpable, not seeking to dazzle but to enhance the bittersweet narrative of heartbreak. Riser’s arrangement intended to evoke a sense of longing, allowing strings to resonate like unasked questions, enabling listeners to connect deeply with their own experiences of lost love. His philosophy was simple yet profound: sometimes, the most impactful messages are conveyed through restraint rather than excess.

Initially released in June 1966, the song quickly rose to fame, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard R&B Singles chart and peaking at No. 7 on the Hot 100. It represented a perfect alignment of emotional depth and broad appeal that characterized many Motown hits. Jimmy Ruffin's lead vocals delivered the poignant message with both strength and fragility, embodying the heartache articulated in the lyrics. Riser commended Ruffin’s ability to infuse every word with lived experience, creating a timeless performance that transcended mere sound.

Sixty years later, this anthem remains relevant, attracting new generations of listeners through various media, including films and TV shows. Riser posits that the song's perennial relevance is due to its universal themes of heartbreak and longing—emotions we all encounter, resonating deeply over the decades. The honesty embedded in the performance offers listeners a sense of shared experience.

Riser also highlights the importance of safeguarding the legacies of artists like Jimmy Ruffin, a passion that led him to reclaim and organize his work as a composer and arranger within the music industry. His partnership with attorney Jeffrey Thennisch aimed to secure overdue recognition and royalties for artists, a mission that has evolved into Redemption Music Media (RMM) under Thennisch's leadership.

RMM is dedicated to ensuring that the contributions of Motown's golden era are not forgotten, and it focuses on proper recognition and compensation for the creators behind such enduring musical treasures. Thennisch emphasized that Riser's work, and that of others from the Motown era, is considered art built to last—a sentiment imperative to the company’s ethos.

Recent remakes by artists including Bruce Springsteen, alongside a new Japanese rendition, demonstrate the song's lasting influence. As Thennisch points out, their continued success at keeping the song active globally is a testament to its inherent emotional resonance.

Ultimately, the story of 'What Becomes of the Brokenhearted' goes beyond music; it’s a narrative woven into the fabric of cultural memory, in which every note and lyric embodies a shared human experience. As the 60th anniversary passes, it serves as a reminder of the responsibility we have to preserve the artistry of those who have shaped our musical landscape.