David Ruffin - Statue of A Fool, Did he write it?

[thomas96]

http://soulfuldetroit.com/archives/3838/3622.html?1052987916

Continuing this thread, as there's no direct evidence in it pointing one way or another. Have there been any updates on this or evidence pointing towards the conclusion that he either wrote the song or lied?

[marv2]

It was written by Jan Crutchfield

[midnightman]

Marv's right, he didn't write it.

[imnokid]

it was a country song

[thomas96]

it was a country song

Yeah I know, but isn't it possible that he wrote it in the late 50's and recorded a demo in Nashville and it was stolen? I don't know, but that's what I've read. I don't believe it as he hasn't written anything else at all, but is it definitely not his?

[marv2]

it was a country song

It was indeed originally a country song. I think David did a great job with it.

[midnightman]

Yeah I know, but isn't it possible that he wrote it in the late 50's and recorded a demo in Nashville and it was stolen? I don't know, but that's what I've read. I don't believe it as he hasn't written anything else at all, but is it definitely not his?

I don't even believe that story anymore. Five years ago I would've thought the same as you.

[thomas96]

I don't even believe that story anymore. Five years ago I would've thought the same as you.

So what made it change? I don't necessarily believe it either, but what deems it impossible after that 5 years?

[midnightman]

So what made it change? I don't necessarily believe it either, but what deems it impossible after that 5 years?

No further proof lol

[thomas96]

No further proof lol

Alright. So he probably did not write the song, but did he actually record a version in the late 50's, and has that ever surfaced? I only saw it mentioned in the archived thread I posted.

[Wescomo]

David Ruffin's "Rovin' Kind" was first offered to Frank Sinatra according to this post. Click on Show More for details.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4pYOEEwPLA

[Wescomo]

Did David Ruffin Outshine Marvin Gaye and Wilson Pickett? [[READ)

http://www.eurweb.com/2017/09/did-david-ruffin-outshine-marvin-gaye-and-wilson-pickett/

[splanky]

The "who was bigger/better " comparisons between different musical
icons notions bore the mess out of me, they are all at the end of the day still only men, only human...Each with merits as well as flaws.
I still have this picture in my head of George Clinton, Sly Stone
and David Ruffin smoking crack together as George described in
his memoirs. A fall back to earth if there ever was one. Still, as
far as legacies and back to the original question of this thread ,though I know Marv already answered it...No, David didn't write
Statute Of A Fool but he OWNED it, that's for sure...

[RanRan79]

The "who was bigger/better " comparisons between different musical
icons notions bore the mess out of me

Me too, but I think we're in the minority because it seems an abundance of people love the bigger/better competitions.

[mysterysinger]

Bigger better is simply opinion - nothing wrong with it I suppose but it does get boring and changes nothing.

Motown single M1405F has "Statue Of a Fool" on the B side and shows it as written by David Ruffin and published by Stone Diamond Music Corp [[BMI). All other evidence points to the song being credited to Jan Crutchfield and I suspect that's correct. The only other possibility is that he was a ghost writer at some point as, for example, it seems R. Dean Taylor may have been for Holland-Dozier-Holland.

The music industry is filled with claim and counter claim and if you believe all you read, neither "Money" nor "You Got What It Takes" were written/co-written by Berry Gordy.

[TomatoTom123]

I remember looking this up before and coming to the conclusion that David, erm, didn’t write the song... what’s weird and interesting is that Motown actually said he did! When “Statue Of A Fool” was released as the B-Side to “On And Off” David was credited as sole writer of the track!!!

13514

However, this would make “Statue Of A Fool” one of but two songs David ever wrote — ever:
https://www.discogs.com/artist/86101-David-Ruffin?filter_anv=0&subtype=Writing-Arrangement&type=Credits

I remember there also being claims that David wrote it as a teenager or something, before any versions were recorded.

Ah, yes, AllMusic seems to think so: http://www.allmusic.com/song/statue-of-a-fool-mt0030374995

Interesting! :D

[TomatoTom123]

The "who was bigger/better " comparisons between different musical
icons notions bore the mess out of me, they are all at the end of the day still only men, only human...Each with merits as well as flaws.
I still have this picture in my head of George Clinton, Sly Stone
and David Ruffin smoking crack together as George described in
his memoirs. A fall back to earth if there ever was one. Still, as
far as legacies and back to the original question of this thread ,though I know Marv already answered it...No, David didn't write
Statute Of A Fool but he OWNED it, that's for sure...

Ha, that is a great scene to think about, splanky :)

[mysterysinger]

But more than one source has David Ruffin originally starting out as a songwriter, yet where is the evidence of this? His real name was Davis Eli Ruffin. https://www.biography.com/people/david-ruffin-21174455

[Encyclopedia Mack]

Did David Ruffin Outshine Marvin Gaye and Wilson Pickett? [[READ)

http://www.eurweb.com/2017/09/did-david-ruffin-outshine-marvin-gaye-and-wilson-pickett/

In my opinion Ruffin the "Greatest Soul Singer" of all times. No disrespect to The Wicked Pickett or Marvin. I'm fans of all of them. No one could interpret a song like Ruffin. Truly a gift. He sang every song like someone had a gun to his head and told him convince them. He had it all. He could sing smooth or rough. From the baritone range to the high male register notes.

Marvin was obviously a genius. I personally was more impressed by his song writing and production skills than his vocals. Even though he though he could sing his butt off.

Now Pickett is hands down he rawest soul singer ever. Pickett goes for the jugular with is singing and he is not going to tone it down for anyone. His style was always gritty and no one could touch him in that regard.