What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted: Lead Sheet / Fake Book

This lead sheet captures one of Motown's most enduring ballad standards in a format that works equally well for jazz combos, vocal ensembles, or singer-pianist collaborations. The song's harmonic simplicity belies its emotional depth, giving students room to explore dynamics, phrasing, and lyrical interpretation without fighting complex changes.

A late-night confession wrapped in a minor-key melody. The arrangement sits in that sweet spot between pop accessibility and soul depth, with enough harmonic stability to feel grounded while the lyric carries all the emotional weight.

Vocalists working through soul and R&B standards will find this lead sheet essential. Pianists learning to comp behind singers and jazz students exploring the Great American Songbook's crossover with soul idiom will find value in its straightforward harmonic roadmap.

• Build the emotional arc gradually through the verse and chorus; resist the urge to jump straight to full vocal power. Ruffin's original phrasing teaches restraint early on.
• Pay close attention to the lyrical rhythm and let it shape your melodic timing rather than squeezing the melody into predetermined rhythmic boxes.
• Accompany with warmth and space; a dense piano voicing can bury the vulnerability this song requires. Leave room for the voice to breathe.

Consider this for a vocal recital exploring the evolution of popular song, or as a repertoire choice for students studying how Motown standards have influenced contemporary R&B and soul writing. It pairs naturally with other ballads from the same era and serves as a bridge between jazz standards and modern popular music.

• Phrasing and breath control in lyrical contexts
• Comping voicings that support vocal melody
• Reading and interpreting lead sheet notation for soul and pop idiom
• Building dynamic and emotional arc across a full form
• Understanding Motown harmonic language and rhythmic feel