David Ruffin vs. Marvin Gaye

[@lillady1973]

David Ruffin all the way

[@coreanwalker9422]

David Ruffin none can compare

[@patriciamissie8763]

Can't no one sing this song like David Ruffin. Sorry Marvin Gaye.

[@bustabass9025]

Two immensely talented Black men, with deeply troubled souls. Blessed or cursed, the world is still much better for what they contributed to it during their stellar, albeit too brief lifetimes.

[@brendaholman3835]

Well said 🌺

[@bustabass9025]

@@brendaholman3835 👍🏿

[@mikeharrison2752]

Ruffin in a class by himself.

[@brendaholman3835]

David Ruffin, just had that, Stage Presence and his Voice was Absolutely, mesmerizing, to listen too. Even Marvin Gaye, spoke on David’s Voice. And how he wished he could sing like David. Not to take anything from Marvin. Marvin was equally as smooth, just in a different tone and style.

[@mongoslade277]

​@@brendaholman3835Marvin also said he wished he could sing like Dennis Edwards & Levi Stubbs. Marvin was just cool like that. Marvin Gaye had no equals. In a class by himself

[@doitall36]

You obviously have not listened to Marvin Gaye's catalog

[@stevehall4643]

David ruffin All day.

[@elderhardaway5674]

In My Honest Opinion, You Can’t Deny These Two Amazing And Dynamic Vocalists: **David Ruffin** And **Marvin Gaye** Singing Styles Are Different, But **Unique** And **Marvelous** In Every Way. No Imitation; No Mimicking In These Two Vocalists!! **David Ruffin** & **Marvin Gaye** Are Both ***Originals**

[@moniquekyle8354]

You can't compare great artists that took music to a another level. Both have excellent voices! I choose them both 😊. 🙏🏽

[@terrencewhite3748]

Not even close. David all the way. David's voice was mind blowing.

[@charliewilliams1082]

David is the MAN

[@user-vx3gh3cq5l]

Hell yeah forever no dout😅

[@lindahines9380]

David was the man of Motown! I don't care what nobody say! smokey liked Marvin Gaye as one of the best singers that's ok

[@MrZinnerman]

When David Ruffin sang a song, he owned it from that point. I could never love another is a perfect example 😅😊

[@nathankrikke5420]

id be curious in your opinion as to who sang that song better, David or his brother Jimmy. Similar but yet very different but Jimmy owns his version as well

[@MrZinnerman]

@nathankrikke5420 I've heard jimmies song, I'll stay with David , no one other than Gladys Horton could tell the story of a song like David Ruffin.

[@nathankrikke5420]

@@MrZinnerman I get that, nor can I argue with it

[@adamfrench8735]

Ruffin had harmony like no other than and still true in 2024

[@valleriesummers5691]

I can't pick one or the other, they both have a unique gift if music. I really like both of them.❤😊❤

[@horizontoday7874]

Same. I wouldn’t dare choose one over the other. Too much respect for them both.

[@coreyraye5197]

David Ruffin HANDS DOWN! His voice could be strong and he could be soft and mellow

[@mongoslade277]

HANDS DOWN huh. How was that solo career of David Ruffin again 🤔

[@tomace194]

@@mongoslade277 based on popularity or substance? Cuz david made some amazing solo . Id take "the letter" over "sexual healing" every time.

[@mongoslade277]

@@tomace194 Millions of people will disagree with you. Sexual Healing won 2 Grammys. #1 on the charts in multiple countries & went double platinum

[@tomace194]

@@mongoslade277 so did beieber. So what. Im talking about reality not about popular opinion. The actual facts are david ruffin and james jamerson were the best 2 aspects of motown talent. Everyone else is 2 rungs below.

[@mongoslade277]

@@tomace194 James Jamerson was a great bassist. I grew up a half hour from him. David Ruffin was a co-lead singer of a group with 4 lead singers. Nothing more. David Ruffin was so great that the first single Dennis Edwards sang lead on won the Temps their first Grammy. Ruffin is a front man of a group. Stevie Wonder & Marvin Gaye are artists. Smokey is a top 5 songwriter of all time. Ruffin isn't in their class. Today Ruffin would be the equivalent of Justin Timberlake & Nick Carter. The lead singer of a boy band

[@chinayoung3499]

My Boy David will take it Every time! Now that’s a Battle!!!! Yes!!! 🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@patcarutherscaruthers585]

On these songs I have to give it to Mr. David Ruffn. Love them both no doubt. David has a uniqueness that will never be duplicated❤❤😊

[@lindahines9380]

​@@patcarutherscaruthers585exactly! many copy cats but not can not be copied

[@user-fb6lf3vl7p]

No competition here, just two talented artists putting their touch upon songs.

[@lestinecramer3534]

I aggre. Doing my Era of Music the songss had so much meaning. So glad I came up doing this time. Music had so much meaning. The songs spoke for you. Love , Love music from back in the day

[@user-so3fj4ml7h]

David sang with passion, and you felt every word, don't get me wrong talented brother, Marvin, but David in this one

[@slimelifekj5155]

Don’t get me wrong marvin good but David got that voice that makes you feel the song even more. I literally cry everytime I hear I wish it would rain, since I lost my baby, and walking away from love. David will forever be my number one favorite singer of all time

[@lestinecramer3534]

There is no one like David Ruffin. That is his song My Girl. Love David Ruffin. The World's Greatest Ballader. RIP MY BROTHER What you did for Music will last Forever. Forever my Favorite

[@waltersams4834]

How is David the greatest balladeer when he doesn’t have any number 1 hit ballads as a solo artist? Marvin, Luther Vandross, Teddy P, Al Green, Smokey, Peabo Bryson, Otis Redding all had more solo ballad hits than David Ruffin. David is great voice but the greatest balladeer is kind of a reach. Because when he had stand on his own without the Temptations… he wasn’t as successful or prolific as other guys even his same era. But yet Temptations kept making hits… and some of those were ballads. Yes, David was great… but not the greatest.

[@Gazzuk58]

David had a beautiful voice, But then so did Marvin. And the list is endless of other black soul stars, It would be interesting to see where the great Levi Stubbs would have stood if he had ever left the Four Tops for a solo career, But he was up there with the very best.

[@bobbyharrison8894]

David was black balled for challenging the industry Berry. Alot of stuff behind the doors is what hindered David's growth but anyone can listen and see that he was ultimate. You got to know the industry, it's always been corruption

[@lestinecramer3534]

That what he is to me because I love his singing. He may not be the Greatest Ballader. I am sure there are more. Everyone have there opinion. I am not a music historian. But the time that David song he did a good job. Maybe I am speaking on his voice. He was a Great singer. All those other guys were good also.This is when music was good. Thanks For the info Be Bless 🙌 🙏 😊 😀 ☺️ 🙂 🙌 🙏 😊 😀 ☺️ 🙂

[@mongoslade277]

​@@waltersams4834Thank You.

[@user-pi5oc4gr9z]

No body does the temptations like David.

[@margaretswanagan8237]

David in the Ruff ❤

[@Xone7]

These two men were among the very best to ever do it, EVER!!

[@dorrisadams8626]

They both make me think about the times life was free for me I love them both❤❤❤

[@jackieborden5041]

I am 75 years old I remember the both of Daivid Ruffin from the Temptations and Marvin Gaye, I love them both and both renditions r great but they just have different styles of singing. LOVE IT.

[@vicescity]

both are very unique but beautiful in their own ways

[@leebarlowx795]

Own*

[@jeffedwards9039]

Both are masters of their crafts... David for the win

[@margaretswanagan8237]

Can’t choose between Marvin or David I love both of them they have some great music

[@beckyhuntsman7174]

RUFFIN!

[@user-hd3id5xq1m]

David was an awesome singer . Marvin Gaye has always been my favorite, and I loved him .❤

[@jameswinstead8917]

Nobody but David!

Gotta love Marvin Gaye, his vocals and songs will last forever but David was the greatest singer ever to grace our planet! Thanks to them both.

[@flinttownboy2]

That would be Marvin Junior, from The Dell's of Mr Teddy Pendergrass ,

[@mongoslade277]

​@@flinttownboy2You make a great point. Teddy Pendergrass sounds just like Marvin Junior of The Dells. People also think David Ruffin was the inspiration to the character of Eddie King Jr of The Five Heartbeats. It was Marvin Junior of The Dells

[@flinttownboy2]

@@mongoslade277 You can also make the case for Levi Stubbs, Sam Cooke, Al Green or Luther Vandross,

[@mongoslade277]

@@flinttownboy2 Definitely Levi Stubbs of the Four Tops

[@raw5889]

On my mama it's David

[@whitneywilliams317]

Marvin is Marvelous but Ruff👓 wins this one.

[@user-sk5hm9rt9p]

And the winner is David Ruffin 🎉😅

[@michelecollins279]

Marvin all day and every day ❤️❤️

[@lawrencem.1568]

I will say this here I am from Detroit Marvin Gaye is a good singer but you should know better than say Marvin is better than David Ruffin no way Marvin Gaye is better than David Ruffin you must be out your mind😮

[@lydiaraymond2700]

As the Band travelled pressures intensified, but one way or another these two priceless jewels being Mr David Ruffin and Mr Marvin Gaye.

[@jacquelineward6270]

They all had golden voices that could not be duplicated (back in the day)Marvin was blowing also .😊

[@littledrumminboy5779]

They both also did a song called What You Gave Me. David covered it on his second solo album.

[@horizontoday7874]

Ironically, Tammi recorded it with Marvin

[@180ontheriseweightlosschan4]

Ruffin

[@nathanielwillis5461]

Yeah it's David Ruffin for me.

[@antonioangelocento9855]

David ruffin wins in my book , better voice

[@guilfordjohnson1717]

It was a blessing to see both of them perform.

[@stedebassett1523]

Keep in mind, it was probably Marvin playing drums on both sets.

[@rosemarywhittaker7144]

David Ruffin all the way ❤ l never ever had a doubt about it 🎼🎵🎶💞❤️

[@patriciamissie8763]

No no no DAVID RUFFIN TO THE HILT. LOVE MARVIN. ONCE DAVID SANG IT .

[@robertchatman8449]

I love marvin but david won all the way. 😊

[@user-up6wj2gh7u]

Listening to both makes me cry for different reasons.

[@JohnnyLindsey-jr9vp]

ABSOLUTELY DEFINITELY BROTHER'S WHERE VERY UNIQUE SUPPER BLESSED BROTHER'S R,I,HEAVEN ❤❤❤❤

[@EddieisKrueger]

Marvin Gaye all day

[@susanbates4125]

This song I prefer David Ruffin but I love Marvin on most of his songs.

[@kevinwatson46]

David had the voice but Marvin had the song of ages which is going on in the world today WHAT'S GOING ON Enough Said Marvin will always be my favorite 😍 ❤️ ❤

[@2b1357]

"Aint nobody comin to see you Marvin" ( in my David Ruffin voice)

[@user-pi5oc4gr9z]

My girl to David Ruffing.

[@dranenancy908]

Both were men gifted with awesome musical talent❤

[@jennifersmith8502]

Neither is better, just different with their own style. Both phenomenal singers and performers.

[@eddiewilson8119]

Thank you for sharing this Precious Music 🎶 ❤🎉!I will Always Love 😍 me some Marvin Gaye Forever ❤❤❤❤! And I have to go with David Ruffin!his voice was made for these this Music 🎶 ❤❤❤❤❤❤!🎉

[@charleszanders2908]

I've always thought Ruffin was the man until Marvin produced his 1971 album. What's going on.He was looking 50 rears into the future. I also want to remember his taking our national anthem to the highest level ever when he performed at the 1984 NBA all-star game. They are both great, and I'm happy to have witnessed their greatness

[@morethanfaithfulone]

I can listen to them both all day!

[@marvinwhittaker]

I love David Ruffin, but Marvin Gaye is my favorite Motown artist. But I'm not saying that Marvin was better. I'll say both were equal good 50-50.

[@DavidWright-ow9jt65]

Man that's a hard decision I'm taking both of them. Both are legends

[@globalmusiclink2663]

Ruffin‼️

[@cherylrobinson1885]

It's David for me

[@chrispaschal7955]

Ruffin had a great voice, Marvin had everything.

[@mychalpryor2473]

From this selection of songs David Ruffin all day...

[@jodie4609]

David ruffin hands down

[@kevinbest8364]

Im from DC Marvin's hometown and to me some of Marvin's songs like whats going and mercy mercy me are legendary because black people was living these songs in the 60's and still today and they resonate on our hearts and soul but David is a different animal his voice is more powerful with more range. Marvin is one of greatest singer's of all time but there are a f e w other singers i think was better and David is just one. Marvin may have more acclaim than a lot of others and again I think its because of Whats going on album and the protest songs which are magical and magnificent again I think that there are some other brother's that are greater singers.

[@loisjohnson7272]

❤David was a better singer, great voice, but Marvin was better looking, and very talented too, ❤just saying, my opinion,❤ I absolutely love both of them, still listening 2024

[@iammrdebonaire]

David because in my head I’m David Ruffin any time I perform somewhere and he’s my favorite temptation

[@garymayfield5995]

Eddie made the Temptations

[@gregoryingram7561]

Yes that's the point I've been trying to make in my comments, you have memories in your mind mostly with the temptations, because his solo career was less than mediocre, but Marvin was solo as soon as he joined Motown, and any memories of Marvin is from his solo career.

[@MyraCarter-zl4ge]

Marvin all day

[@neraddyolf9141]

There's no singer who has a catalogue of hits songs like Marvin Gaye. Marvin Gaye covered all genre of soul music, from the 60's soul music songs, 'How sweet it is to be loved by you' 'Hitchhike ' 'Heard it through the grapevine' Motown's best selling song of all time, to the 70's, 'Let's get it on' ' I want you' 'Gotta give it up' to the 80's 'Sexual healing' (rip). And let's not forget about what many has deemed the greatest album of all time 'What going on'. Ruffin was a great singer, but as a singer musician, Ruffin is NO MATCH FOR THE LATE GREAT, Marvin Gaye!!!!!!

[@gregoryingram7561]

Well said! Totally disrespectful to even compare David to Marvin! Slap yourself!!!!

[@markusdziemba1308]

Marvin Gayes rendition of Motowns biggest selling single is one of the greatest musical testaments of the second half of the 20th century. Anyone disagreeing?

[@kathymarik1932]

Marvin Gaye for me

[@bigcartoonyIIV]

Marvin is one of my favorite singers . He has music for every situation. However Marvin himself said david was better. david wins my girl, marvin wisn i wish it would rain. marvin wins well be satisfied, tied that will be the day

[@lj3musicjulien855]

David is not better than Marvin . They are both great singers.

[@garymayfield5995]

David all day

[@user-ci4mj9oq2r]

Love it

[@telynharrison6710]

They sound good Dave

[@margaretswanagan8237]

Marvin Magic Gaye ❤

[@zwilliams331]

Both are beyond great but David is the one.

[@lindahines9380]

I love both of them! ❤ marvin was the bomb! and both of em will never be forgotton i was in my teen years look at david at his best looks here! marvin was handsome too

[@dawnfish477]

I love both but I always had a crush on David

[@curt4003]

Ruff all the way

[@Mancunianblue]

Marvellous Marvin 70/30.

[@herblewis-rt2sj]

David. David may have been the best soul singer of all time and I’m from DC.

[@locutz]

david had a more powerful voice though

[@horizontoday7874]

Uh-oh! Tammi’s men doing a battle! Lol

[@shawnjones6181]

Now this would be a good battle for Gerald McBride to play on Mix 92.3 Detroit radio station ever saturday night two of the sexiest men that ever walked MAY THEY BOTH REST IN ETERNAL LOVE YOU DAVID RUFFIN AND MARVIN GAYE

[@1Blkkato]

Marvin himself and berry gordy said david was a better singer then marvin, marvin edged david with his song writing and piano play and could sing almost as good.

[@LDTOK-zs8oz]

Marvin also admired the masculinity in David's voice.

[@TRE601]

“than” man - not “then”. God!

[@gregoryingram7561]

Negative ghost Ryder! If you have ever seen the showtime special called " standing in the shadows of Motown" hosted by Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson, Berry clearly states that Marvin was the best Motown performer on his label.

[@1Blkkato]

@@gregoryingram7561 There's always somebody trying to get some shine off another man's statement. You must havent read Berry Gordy's book cause its clearly in there what I said. also im not going to do a back and forth with you

[@docsylva2876]

Hell nah. Marvin puts Ruffin in the gutter. Marvin has a fuckin 4 octave range with each octave having 5 notes per octave. Marvin had more range and versatility with many styles in music from jazz, funk and r&b. Marvin personally was a producer that could play many instruments and he was a writer. He was beyond David and way much more talented. I do like David’s raspy voice and he has his own lane but he can’t touch Marvin Gaye. David Ruffin has only a range of 2 octaves only.

[@KarenWilson-mz6tl]

Im team Gaye all the way!

[@benjaminlee8586]

I love both singers, yet even Marvin said he wish he could reach the levels that David did. I'm sure that's why we have these songs by both artist.

[@sheddski2942]

david was only a singer but Marvin wrote music and played 5 different Instraments marvin was also a Early Funk Brother also Marvin Didnt like James Brown or David Ruffin and told both of them To stop Hitting Tammie or there going to get it also Marvin used to Box

[@user-ci4mj9oq2r]

❤

[@user-so3fj4ml7h]

I love both of them, but David sang with more passion, you felt every word, David hands down

[@the44118]

Ruffin has the clearer stronger voice which does justice to the songs he sang. Marvin has a smoother style of voice that does justice to his songs. It's unfair that this video has Marvin singing Ruffin songs. Both are 2 of Motown's greatest voices along with Stevie & Levi Stubbs. I will say Marvin absolutely killed it with his version of I wish it would rain! I prefer his version. Both have flawless voices and are flawless singers.

[@garymayfield5995]

You'll done lost your damn mind

[@the44118]

@@garymayfield5995 No it looks like YOU have lost YOURS!🤣

[@kenarco3765]

They both were talented, but ive always marvin's music more

[@oldwavy7811]

choose between 'gods' ... please !!! thank you for your production ...

[@brucekimber]

David Ruffin has one of the greatest voices I've ever heard. I love them both, but Ruffin's voice is untouchable. Then I would put Teddy Pendergrass next.

[@alonzokinchen1117]

That’s too tough. I love them both

[@jamalsmith5073]

Just shows how a song is tailored made for a voice.

[@mintoriaadams4076]

They both had an ICONIC voices but I don't think it's fair to judge if Marvin Gaye singing the other guys song. I grew up listening to both I can't judge this, but just in general I gotta choose Marvin 😊

[@brendabrown7130]

Ruffin.

[@birdlegg9698]

"MY GIRL" is David Ruffin's forever!! Maybe Marvin Gaye had something to do with writing it, but "MY GIRL" just belongs to David Ruffin!!

[@JD-gx3ms]

Smokey Robinson wrote my girl not Marvin

[@MsRobin-rt4jm]

Def Ruffin

[@lecharanton]

If I didn’t hear David- it would have been Marvin. Ruffin was singing from the gut. My top two singers though 👌🏾