Marvin Gaye – What’s Going On

About The Song

“What’s Going On” is the eleventh studio album by American soul singer Marvin Gaye, released on May 21, 1971, by Tamla Records. The album is considered a landmark in soul music and is known for its socially conscious themes and innovative production, marking a departure from Gaye’s previous work.

Five Facts:

Conceptual Masterpiece: “What’s Going On” is a concept album that tells a story of inner-city life, social injustice, and the Vietnam War. It is one of the first soul albums to have a unified theme running through its songs.
Title Track Success: The album’s title track, “What’s Going On,” became one of Gaye’s most iconic and successful songs. It addresses issues like war, poverty, and environmental concerns, reflecting the turbulent times of the early 1970s.
Innovative Production: The album’s production was groundbreaking, featuring lush orchestration, layered vocals, and a seamless flow between tracks. The use of ambient sound effects and a continuous musical theme throughout the album set it apart from conventional Motown releases.
Personal Struggle: Marvin Gaye faced personal challenges during the album’s creation, including the death of close friend Tammi Terrell and his increasing concern about social and political issues. These factors heavily influenced the album’s lyrical content and emotional depth.
Critical Acclaim and Cultural Impact: “What’s Going On” received widespread critical acclaim upon its release and is now regarded as one of the greatest albums in the history of popular music. Its impact extends beyond the musical realm, influencing subsequent generations of artists and becoming a timeless commentary on societal issues.

Video

Lyrics

Hey what’s happenin’?
Brother what’s up?
Hey how you doin’? (this is a big party man)
Yeah brother like summer, right on (I dig it)
Hey man what’s your name (my man)
Everything is everything (we gonna get down today boy)

Mother, mother
There’s too many of you crying
Brother, brother, brother
There’s far too many of you dying
You know we’ve got to find a way
To bring some lovin’ here today, yeah

Father, father
We don’t need to escalate
You see, war is not the answer
For only love can conquer hate
You know we’ve got to find a way
To bring some lovin’ here today

Picket lines and picket signs (sister, sister)
Don’t punish me with brutality (sister, sister)
Talk to me (sister)
So you can see (sister)
Oh, what’s going on (what’s going on)
What’s going on (what’s going on)
What’s going on (what’s going on)
What’s going on (what’s going on)

Right on, baby
Right on
Right on baby

Mother, mother
Everybody thinks we’re wrong
Oh, but who are they to judge us?
Simply because our hair is long
Oh, you know we’ve got to find a way
Bring some understanding here today

Picket lines and picket signs (brother, brother)
Don’t punish me with brutality (brother, brother)
Come on talk to me (brother)
You can see (brother)
What’s going on (what’s going on)
Yeah, what’s going on (what’s going on)
Tell me what’s going on (what’s going on)
I’ll tell you ya, what’s going on (what’s going on)
Right on, baby, right on
Right on, baby

Right on, baby, c’mon, right on