The Legend of Ruby Diamond
(Track #7 from "Kiss of Life")
Written by Siedah Garrett and Glen Ballard

(OLD MAN RAP) “Say. Say pretty lil' girl. Co-Come here jus a minute. Won't you do me a favor; I want you ta' make an ole man happy, sing that song 'bout Ruby. Take your time now.”
SIEDAH: “Uhm, uhm, umm...”
(OLD MAN) “I think you got possibilities, baby. Go head, bring it!
Put your weight on it...”
SIEDAH: “Ahh, ahh, ahh… Mmm, ahh...”

VERSE 1

So cool
Comin' home from school
Hearin' Ruby hard at workin'
Sittin' on the stoop rehearsin'
She'd sing, and her voice would reach out and capture your heart... Yeah!

BRIDGE 1

Ruby, Ruby are ya' lonesome every night?
Does your heart ache for laughter?
Tell me, Ruby, are you hurting deep inside?
This is how she'd reply...

CHORUS 1
[POPA-DO-WOP] (She say) I was never one to doubt
[POPA-DO-WOP] But nothin' ever quite worked out
[POPA-DO-WAA] I sold, short of all my hopes and dreams... Cause nothin' no one wants is free
Ah, but that's me... Ooh, woo...

VERSE 2

So sad
Ruby had it so bad
Young, she ran away from problems
Never would she try to solve 'em
She'd yell, and her voice would tell on her soul, for the prize...

BRIDGE 2

Ruby, Ruby are ya' waistin' precious time?
Chasin' men, with their “get rich” schemes...
Tell me, Ruby, will ya' ever compromise?
This is what she said to me...

CHORUS 2

[POPA-DO-WOP] (She say) People live the way they choose...
[POPA-DO-WOP] And I've shown you what NOT to do...
[POPA-DO-WAA] I know every WANT becomes a NEED when nothin' no one wants is free
[BAH-BAH-OOH-AH, OH RUBY] Ahh, but that's me...
[BAH-BAH-OOH-AH] Woah, I know, I sold short of all my hopes and dreams
Cause nothin' in this life's for free
BREAKDOWN
No, no, no, no. Ain't nothin'
[YOU GOT TO SACRIFICE FOR WHAT YOU WANT IN LIFE]
[YOU CAN APPRECIATE WORKIN' FOR WHAT YOU MAKE] No
[RUBY D.] Ain't nothin', um-um
[YOU DON'T GET NOTHIN' WITHOUT PAYIN' SOMETHING]
[WHEN EVERYTHING IS AT STAKE, LIFE IS A GIVE AND TAKE]
[RUBY D.]

SCAT SOLO

[POPA-DO-WOP]
[POPA-DO-WOP]
[POPA-DO-WAA]
[POPA-DO-WOP]

REPEAT PART OF VERSE 1

Ruby, Ruby, Ruby are ya' lonesome every night?
Ah, does your heart ache for laughter?
And tell me Ruby, are you hurting deep inside?
This is how she'd reply...

CHORUS 1

[POPA-DO-WOP] She say I was never one to doubt...
[POPA-DO-WOP] She said nothin' ever quite worked out...
[POPA-DO-WAA] I sold, short of all my hopes and dreams... Cause nothin' no one wants is free, no no
[BAH-BAH-OOH-AH, OH RUBY] Ah, but that's me...
[BAH-BAH-OOH-AH] You see, I-I know every WANT becomes a NEED, when nothin' no one wants is free, no-no. Aw, but that's me!
[POPA-DO-WOP] Ruby, Ruby. Oh, Ruby D
[POPA-DO-WAA] People live the way they choose...
[YOU GOT TO SACRIFICE FOR WHAT YOU WANT IN LIFE]
[YOU CAN APPRECIATE WORKIN' FOR WHAT YOU MAKE]
I've shown you what NOT to do!
[RUBY D.]
I Sold out!
[BAH-BAH-OOH-AH. POPA-DO-WOP] I Sold Out!
[POPA-DO-WOP] Tell me, Ruby, will ya' eva compromise?
[POPA-DO-WAA] Tell me, Ruby...
[YOU WON'T GET NOTHIN' WITHOUT PAYIN' SOMETHING]
[WHEN EVERYTHING IS AT STAKE, LIFE IS A GIVE AND TAKE]
[RUBY D.] Tell me, Ruby Diamond, Diamond, Diamond... I Sold out...
[BAH-BAH-OOH-AH]
(FADE OUT)