About the song
“What’s Going On” is a song that has become an iconic masterpiece in the world of music. Released in 1971, it was the opening track of Marvin Gaye’s studio album of the same name, and it marked a significant departure from the Motown Sound towards more personal and socially conscious material. The song was inspired by a police brutality incident witnessed by Renaldo “Obie” Benson, a member of the Motown vocal group the Four Tops, and it was composed by Benson, Al Cleveland, and Gaye himself.
The song’s inspiration came from a tumultuous period in American history, marked by social unrest and political turmoil. Benson’s witnessing of police brutality and violence in Berkeley’s People’s Park in 1969 was a turning point for him, and he began to question the state of the world. He asked himself, “What is happening here?” and this question led to a deeper exploration of the issues plaguing society, including the Vietnam War and racial tensions.
Gaye, who was also influenced by the Watts Riot and the emotional conversations he had with his brother Frankie, who had returned from the Vietnam War, was moved to write a song that would reflect the concerns and emotions of the time. He worked closely with Benson and Cleveland to craft a song that would be both a love song and a protest song, and the result was “What’s Going On”.
The song’s recording process was marked by a laid-back atmosphere, with Gaye and the musicians involved in constant smoking of marijuana. The song’s iconic opening soprano saxophone line, played by Eli Fontaine, was not originally intended, but Gaye was so impressed with Fontaine’s riff that he decided to keep it. The song’s bass line, played by James Jamerson, was also a highlight, with Jamerson’s incredible tolerance for the Greek spirit Metaxa allowing him to play with precision and passion.
The song’s production was a collaborative effort, with Gaye working closely with the Funk Brothers and other musicians to create a sound that was both laid-back and powerful. The song’s vocal chatter, featuring the Detroit Lions players Mel Farr and Lem Barney, added to the song’s laid-back feel, and the song’s background vocal track, featuring Bobby Rogers of the Miracles, added depth and texture to the song.
“What’s Going On” was a commercial success, topping the Hot Soul Singles chart for five weeks and crossing over to number two on the Billboard Hot 100. It has since become one of Gaye’s most beloved and enduring songs, and it continues to be celebrated as a masterpiece of soul music. The song’s impact extends beyond its commercial success, as it has become a cultural touchstone and a symbol of the power of music to inspire and uplift.
In 2004 and 2010, “What’s Going On” was ranked number 4 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, and it has been named one of the greatest songs of all time by numerous other publications. The song’s legacy continues to inspire new generations of musicians and fans, and it remains a testament to the enduring power of Marvin Gaye’s music.
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Lyrics
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
Don’t punish me with brutality
Talk to me
So you can see
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, baby
Right on
Mother, mother
Everybody thinks we’re wrong
Oh, but who are they to judge us
Simply ’cause our hair is long
Oh, you know we’ve got to find a way
To bring some understanding here today
Picket lines and picket signs
Don’t punish me with brutality
Come on talk to me
So you can see
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, what’s going on (What’s going on)
Right on, baby, right on
Right on, baby
Right on, baby, right on