"Gonna Give Her All the Love I've Got" is a 1967 Soul song, originally recorded and made a hit by Jimmy Ruffin on Motown's Soul Label imprint.The Complete Motown Singles Vol. 7: 1967 [liner notes]. New York: Hip-O Select/Motown/Universal Records Ruffin's 1967 original version, from his album Jimmy Ruffin Sings Top Ten, reached the Pop Top 30, peaking at #29, and was a Top 20 R&B Hit as well, peaking at #14. It was also a hit in Britain, reaching #26 on the UK Singles Chart. The song has a social context: it depicts a man anticipating his release from prison on the morrow, when he'll return home on a train to "the girl that I left behind," promising himself that he will reward her steadfast love for him by "giv[ing] her all the love [he's] got." The song was written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong and produced by Whitfield.

Benny Gordon recorded his version of the song. Backed with "Turn on Your Love Light", it was released on Wand 1188. It was a four star pick in the 17 August issue of Record World, with the reviewer saying it "Will be right for many boogalooers".Record World, August 17, 1968 – Page 84 record world SINGLE REVIEWS, FOUR STAR **** PICKS For the week of 21 September, it was reported that Benny Gordon's song was new at WWRL in NYC.Record World, September 21, 1968 - Page 36 R & B Beat (Continued from page 34), WWRL, NYC, New; Benny Gordon Also that week, in the R&B Station Listings section of Record World, Gordon's song was listed as a pick at WJLD in Birmingham. As shown in the 28 September issue of Record World, it was on the playlist of WJLD in Birmingham.Record World, September 28, 1968 - Page 40 R & B Beat (Continued from page 39), WJLD, Birmingham, On: Benny Gordon It was reported in the 5 October issue of Record World that his record was getting attention.Record World, October 5, 1968 – Page 38 Soul Brothers All

In 1970, Jimmy Ruffin's Motown labelmate Marvin Gaye, released the song on the Tamla label.The Complete Motown Singles Vol. 9: 1969 [liner notes]. New York: Hip-O Select/Motown/Universal Records released from his album, That's the Way Love Is. Gaye's cover version of the song was a modest hit when Gaye released it in early 1970, peaking at #67 on the Billboard Hot 100 and at #26 on the Hot Selling Soul Singles chart. For Gaye the single was a double sided hit, as its flip side, "How Can I Forget" also charted (#41 US Pop, #18 US R&B).

Still another Motown act, The Temptations, recorded the tune as part of their album "The Temptations Wish It Would Rain.Williams, Otis and Romanowski, Patricia (1988, updated 2002). Temptations. Lanham, MD: Cooper Square. . However, it was The Temptations' baritone lead singer, Paul Williams, that sang lead vocals on the song, rather than Jimmy's brother, Temptations member David Ruffin. Their version was also released as a B-side to their hit single, "I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You)",The Complete Motown Singles Vol. 8: 1968 [liner notes]. New York: Hip-O Select/Motown/Universal Records which turned out to be Ruffin's last lead released before he left the group.

Tony Tribe did a single cover of the song with Trojan Records, before dying in a car accident in Canada in 1970.

Credits

Jimmy Ruffin version

Lead vocals by Jimmy Ruffin Background vocals by The Originals and The Andantes Instrumentation by The Funk Brothers and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra Produced by Norman Whitfield

Marvin Gaye version Lead (and additional background) vocals by Marvin Gaye Instrumentation by The Funk Brothers and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra Produced by Norman Whitfield

Temptations version Lead vocals by Paul Williams Background vocals by Eddie Kendricks, Melvin Franklin, David Ruffin, and Otis Williams Instrumentation by The Funk Brothers Produced By Norman Whitfield

References