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Marvin Gaye — What's Going On
Album: What's Going On
Avg rating:
8.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 5086









Released: 1971
Length: 3:44
Plays (last 30 days): 1
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

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, oh (oh)

Picket lines ''(sister)'' and picket signs ''(sister)''
Don't punish me ''(sister)'' with brutality ''(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)''
Yeah, what's going on ''(what's going on)''
Oh, what's going on ''(what's going 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 ''(brother)'' and picket signs ''(brother)''
Don't punish me ''(brother)'' with brutality ''(brother)''
Come on, talk to me ''(brother)'', so 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 what's going on ''(what's going on)''
Comments (573)add comment
I can say no better than “an absolute masterpiece.”   If there is a song that is a “10”, this is it.  Just as beautiful and vital as it was over 50 years ago.
Given the state of the world right now, it may be time to embrace denialism and magical thinking. 
 jelgator wrote:



And for our next act... Ukraine.

Man, you could not be more right.  The levels of crazy over Ukraine today outstrip anything I remember from Vietnam, Iraq or Afghanistan.
 Zep wrote:
"we don't need to escalate"

In the 60s, "escalate" was a very highly charged political term referring to escalating the war in Vietnam. Political leaders (that is to say, hawks) promulgated a policy of escalation that would send someone else's sons off to die in a useless and futile war. Thus began a long decline in public trust of political leaders who entirely failed the U.S. in the 60s and accelerated through Nixon. 

Sad times but it left an enduring musical legacy that may never be surpassed.



Very well stated!  GREAT TUNE!!  Thanx RP!   
"we don't need to escalate"

In the 60s, "escalate" was a very highly charged political term referring to escalating the war in Vietnam. Political leaders (that is to say, hawks) promulgated a policy of escalation that would send someone else's sons off to die in a useless and futile war. Thus began a long decline in public trust of political leaders who entirely failed the U.S. in the 60s and accelerated through Nixon. 

Sad times but it left an enduring musical legacy that may never be surpassed.
R.I.P. Tyre Nichols.
52 years since this song came out and we're still asking "What's going on?".
 h8rhater wrote:

I wrote a dissertation long ago about the Vietnam War and why it was lost.  The biggest and best documented reason was that America poured more and more money into a cesspool of corruption that they themselves created within South Vietnamese society. 

Documents are now coming out about the ridiculous levels of graft and corruption in Afghanistan during our time there.  No lessons were learned in all that we lost in 'Nam.  So we do it all over again, and again, and again.

The more things change...



Very true!!  Read: "Secrets" by Daniel Ellsburg (Pentagon Papers fame) .  &  "In Retrospect" by Robert McNamara (Secretary of Defense under JFK & LBJ).  Both books confirm what you stated in great detail!!  Both books are great & worth reading!!
This was fifty years ago. 
Will we never learn? 
Creative genius
Clearly timeless  
 h8rhater wrote:

I wrote a dissertation long ago about the Vietnam War and why it was lost.  The biggest and best documented reason was that America poured more and more money into a cesspool of corruption that they themselves created within South Vietnamese society. 

Documents are now coming out about the ridiculous levels of graft and corruption in Afghanistan during our time there.  No lessons were learned in all that we lost in 'Nam.  So we do it all over again, and again, and again.

The more things change...



And for our next act... Ukraine.
Being 63-yrs-old, I must have heard this hundreds of times by now, and still I get a little "verklempt" most times it comes on. Sign of a great song I guess, or us old guys just have a tendency to get emotional maybe. :-)
 Hill131 wrote:
The first time I heard this song was right after I landed in Vietnam in 1971.  I was in a bus going from Ton Son Nhut airbase to a holding company and the song was playing on Armed Forces Radio.  The bus was dirty with screen covering the windows to prevent grenades being thrown in, the sun was almost setting, it was hot and humid with no breeze, and the sounds of war and a strange language mixing with "What's Going On?" was so surreal.  For a scared newbie infantryman from rural Nebraska the moment was the eeriest feeling I have ever had.  Part of the feeling is still there when I hear the song.  
 
Thank you for sharing this.
OMG! I love playing bass on this brilliant tuneage!
Well, sorry to say this song is relevant again 😢
The first time I heard this song was right after I landed in Vietnam in 1971.  I was in a bus going from Ton Son Nhut airbase to a holding company and the song was playing on Armed Forces Radio.  The bus was dirty with screen covering the windows to prevent grenades being thrown in, the sun was almost setting, it was hot and humid with no breeze, and the sounds of war and a strange language mixing with "What's Going On?" was so surreal.  For a scared newbie infantryman from rural Nebraska the moment was the eeriest feeling I have ever had.  Part of the feeling is still there when I hear the song.  
Talk to me
So you can see
What's goin on

Still so true today
The segue from John Coltrane's Naima to this is magical. I can totally see these guys hanging out and listening to Coltrane in the intro...
 rigel2213 wrote:

Ever notice how musically interesting the bass is in this song? It is both the melodic and rhythmic center of this song (apart from Mr. Gaye, of course). James Jamerson was one of a kind.



IMO the "melodic and rhythmic center" of all Motown songs he played in. From John Paul Jones to Jaco Pastorius, it's impossible to find a bassist with some jazz/blues orientation who wasn't influenced by him. And to think that he was only paid $50 (I think around $300 today) per song, with no retainer or royalties, for a long period of time.
 kpb wrote:

I really like this song, but I can't stand the constant and repetitive "party" conversation running in the background:
"What's happening?"
"Right on!"
"What's happening?"
"Right on!",....
Sure wish there was a version without all that distracting stuff.



distracting to you, but to others it helps to make the song even better than it would be without it. 
both Parker and Gaye dead at 44
while I enjoy what they produced in their short, often tragic lives, what could they have produced if they lived for another 44 years.
then again, bright stars and all that.....
 LizK wrote:

His father put up with the drugging. the chaos long enough, and at the end Marvin was violent.


And "drugging" is a legitimate reason to kill someone?
what planet do you live on?
and his father with his running around in women's clothing and beating Marvin and his wife senseless? That's ok then in your eyes is it?
Man your such plonker! 🤫
 LuvsMusic wrote:

This is as real and respectful of a way that I can ask this question:  Who can both rate this a 1 and like Radio Paradise?  I just can't see those things as existing together.



I can't figure anyone rating this a '1', much less an RP listener. 

Combination of a beautiful voice, great melody, and man - the lyrics.
I really like this song, but I can't stand the constant and repetitive "party" conversation running in the background:
"What's happening?"
"Right on!"
"What's happening?"
"Right on!",....
Sure wish there was a version without all that distracting stuff.
Godlike! Duh 🙄?!
This is as real and respectful of a way that I can ask this question:  Who can both rate this a 1 and like Radio Paradise?  I just can't see those things as existing together.
 h8rhater wrote:

I wrote a dissertation long ago about the Vietnam War and why it was lost.  The biggest and best documented reason was that America poured more and more money into a cesspool of corruption that they themselves created within South Vietnamese society. 

Documents are now coming out about the ridiculous levels of graft and corruption in Afghanistan during our time there.  No lessons were learned in all that we lost in 'Nam.  So we do it all over again, and again, and again.

The more things change...


I have long felt the government failed to explain why. They just said do. That was the wrong point. By far. 
The second verse kills me. The irony and poignancy is too much! 
 Bert7 wrote:
Almost 50 years later and this song means more than ever!! Lets love each other...
 
Holy buckets, this album will be 50 in May. Relevant as ever indeed!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/What's_Going_On_(Marvin_Gaye_album)
Brother it's four years later and the trash has finely been taken out,Right On ,Right On, Right On. kingart wrote:
The Creator ought to put this and Mercy Me on a loud, permanent loop in the Oval Office and the 5th Ave. Throne Room of what's his nuts Der Trumper. 

Sorry, that's political. It's oozing out of my pores.
If you're offended, have a beer and email me in the morning.
 
 

This song and James Gang's White Man, Black Man
If we could all just listen to Marvin...
From 9 ---> 10, for the "ashes 'round the yard" line. Looking for a house for my family right now. What a powerful line.
 jayhamiljr wrote:

Thank you for doing your part to make civil war the answer...  Marvin, were he alive, wouldn't approve. 
A comment about playing Marvin Gaye in the oval office is inciting civil war ? Really ?
 kingart wrote:
The Creator ought to put this and Mercy Me on a loud, permanent loop in the Oval Office and the 5th Ave. Throne Room of what's his nuts Der Trumper. 

Sorry, that's political. It's oozing out of my pores.
If you're offended, have a beer and email me in the morning.
 
 
Thank you for doing your part to make civil war the answer...  Marvin, were he alive, wouldn't approve. 
Class, absolute class RP. Charlie 'Bird' Parker into Marvin Gaye (14.07.2020). Sheer genius B&R!!!

Gaye intervened in a fight between his parents on the afternoon of April 1, 1984 in the family house in the West Adams district of Los Angeles, and he became involved in a physical altercation with his father Marvin Gay Sr. Gay Sr. shot Gaye twice, once in the chest, piercing his heart, and then into Gaye’s shoulder. The shooting took place in Gaye's bedroom at 12:38 p.m. The first shot proved fatal. Gaye was pronounced dead at 1:01 p.m. after his body arrived at California Hospital Medical Center, one day short of his 45th birthday.
 LindyLuv wrote:
Gaye was undoubtedly the greatest soul singer of his generation, but it's also sad that he was developing a social conscience, as in this song, "What's Goin' On," and is soon after gunned down by his own father.
 
His father put up with the drugging. the chaos long enough, and at the end Marvin was violent.
9--->10
If not now, when?
Absolutely appropriate for the times, then and now.
Almost 50 years later and this song means more than ever!! Lets love each other...
Damn, Bill. 
James Jamerson's bass playing was pure genius. 
Father shot him dead this day (April 1st) in 1984.
RIP Marvin Gaye.
timeless. in the days of the corona virus, its curious to see that he died from gunshoot wound back in 1984
Wow,  more "Outstanding" stuff...
Bill!...Amazing segue from  Charlie Parker's Bloomdido to Marvin and this gem!
We need this sentiment today
The correct answer is 10.

"Everything is everything."
Ever notice how musically interesting the bass is in this song? It is both the melodic and rhythmic center of this song (apart from Mr. Gaye, of course). James Jamerson was one of a kind.
Musical and vocal beauty throughout. Glorious.
 cc_rider wrote:
oldviolin wrote:
I get in my time machine and go back and witness that lessonless war and live those race riots all over again and wonder...
...why we're doing it all over again! I wish this song was not relevant anymore! I wish us stupid humans would learn from our history, and not repeat the same savage mistakes. I wish Marvin Gaye was still around, too... c.
 
I wrote a dissertation long ago about the Vietnam War and why it was lost.  The biggest and best documented reason was that America poured more and more money into a cesspool of corruption that they themselves created within South Vietnamese society. 

Documents are now coming out about the ridiculous levels of graft and corruption in Afghanistan during our time there.  No lessons were learned in all that we lost in 'Nam.  So we do it all over again, and again, and again.

The more things change...
There should be a biopic for this national treasure and Jesse L. Martin should play him.
 meatmike wrote:
What's going on?
 
Unfortunately, the same crap. Maybe worse.
The pinnacle of his creativity.
Truly one of the greatest albums of the 70's; and perhaps one of the greatest ever.
Some things just get better with age.
What a great classic song!

Greatgreat segue from John Coltrane's "Naima". Who opened this with the sax? 

Trane died at 40, Marvin was gone at 44--such a shame.
What's going on?
Today (April 1st) is the 35th anniversary of Marvin Gaye's death. 
I just have to say something here, " Father father, we don't need to escalate. "  

 As the story goes, Marvin handed his father the gun that ended his life.

A self fulfilling prophecy?
 benhardt57 wrote:
Theme song for ultra gun controlled Chicago.
 

Only Chicago?

307 mass shootings across the US in first 312 days off 2018, i.e. one each day.
https://www.businessinsider.co...

Give that gun control nonsense a rest.

True yesterday.

True today.

True tomorrow.
1232 songs rated
Only 28 are a perfect 10.
This is one of them. 
 Tang2 wrote:
Ah Marvin... every line you sing is so sexy and true.  Rest in peace. {#Daisy}
 
I agree  I lower my rating 3
The rating system is broken.  It needs 1-10 and then Marvin Gaye.  This song doesn't fit in 1-10.

This entire album is transcendental.
Pure perfection! I miss MG.
Ah Marvin... every line you sing is so sexy and true.  Rest in peace. {#Daisy}
Theme song for ultra gun controlled Chicago.
 the_jake wrote:
Back to Back?  It played for me that way today.  Never happened before.  But I do have it rated at 10, so its good with me.
 
Yep...clearly worth playing twice ! {#Yes}
 the_jake wrote:
Back to Back?  It played for me that way today.
 
Okay, weird....I’m watching twilight zone and listening tonRPBduring commercials. One song ended and the same song started again....
dun dun dun!!!
 the_jake wrote:
Back to Back?
 
So very nice we got to hear it twice.


OR


"Was it the same cat?"


Back to Back?  It played for me that way today.  Never happened before.  But I do have it rated at 10, so its good with me.
 Sloggydog wrote:

For me its a godlike timeless classic and part of an album that is a touchstone for it's era politically.  I already loved it and then I saw a documentary about Marvin doing a concert days after a nearby riot and despite warnings from police his gig might start a riot.  Instead his gig was credited with easing tensions.

 
I'm with you on this one, Sloggydog....make LOVE not WAR, right?  Hell....I've been at 9 too long on this GEM...so 9→10.

PEACE and LONG LIVE RP!!

Ahhhhh...how good is this song? An absolute masterpiece!
 Tomasni wrote:
To me this is 7 - Quite Likeable

 
For me its a godlike timeless classic and part of an album that is a touchstone for it's era politically.  I already loved it and then I saw a documentary about Marvin doing a concert days after a nearby riot and despite warnings from police his gig might start a riot.  Instead his gig was credited with easing tensions.
To me this is 7 - Quite Likeable
Can not be overplayed, sweet Soul Groove, Eternal Verity of Smooth Humanity.    Listen to this and then this.....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDTXljIqxRE


Hard to believe Barry Gordy didn't want to release this album...  One of the all time greats, RIP Marvin!
 handyrae wrote, way back when:
The ratings graph about says it all!
 
So true!
 willmcnaught wrote:
Timeless! {#Notworthy}

 
Timeless, yes!  What a great message, and really too bad that this isn't the 'default' thought process for EVERYONE on earth.  Why should we kill each and destroy when we can love and create instead?  (unfortunately I think $$ has a lot to do with it)

This is a 10 rated track for me


look at that photo of Marvin while diggin' this so seriously gorgeous piece of classic music, does that not grab you
 zedstation wrote:
1971 and 1972; did the music released in those two years create the template for generations/decades to come?

 
frantically bobbing positive emoji
1971 and 1972; did the music released in those two years create the template for generations/decades to come?


 GProkopo wrote:

Lem Barney, too.

 
HOF #20.

56 career INTs.  Many of them off Minn. QBs.
 WonderLizard wrote:

Jamerson's bass on this track is iconic. The story is that he came in from a night of carousing, hung over, read through the charts once, and played the most amazing bass track ever. Years later after Motown moved to LA, a local wise guy—having heard the story about how it was invented—bet Jamerson a good deal of money that he couldn't recreate it on the spot. Jamerson collected.

 
Yes, that is really an outstanding bass track, very melodic and tasty without "over-doing it": perfect.

The Creator ought to put this and Mercy Me on a loud, permanent loop in the Oval Office and the 5th Ave. Throne Room of what's his nuts Der Trumper. 

Sorry, that's political. It's oozing out of my pores.
If you're offended, have a beer and email me in the morning.
 
 Skydog wrote:
Detroit Lions Mel Farr was in the back with the other voices
 

 
Lem Barney, too.
 Skydog wrote:

CKLW in the 1960's was the best AM radio in the land. 
Motown and Beatles and everything in between.

 
I grew up in burbs of Detroit, fond fond memories of CKLW,  and growing up in the Motown sound. A very good documentary "Standing in the Shadows of Motown" amazing video! Worth seeing. {#Notworthy}
Timeless! {#Notworthy}
 
Posted: Sep 24, 2015 - 07:52
 

 oldsaxon wrote:

Where are today's voices? We have fallen into the trap and I wish...hope, really...that someone will stand up and say these things again.

  Proclivities wrote:

There are probably still a lot of people saying "these things"; whether or not anyone is listening is another story.

 

so true
 Skydog wrote:
so sad so sad
45 years later and the lyrics sound like they were written today 
 
Too true. This one and Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler) also.
 Skydog wrote:
CKLW in the 1960's was the best AM radio in the land. 
Motown and Beatles and everything in between.
 
Have to agree. Didn't hear much beyond top 40 on WJR back then.

This is one of those songs I remember hearing blare from a car speaker hanging from the visor on the school bus with an AM radio sitting precariously on the dashboard.

This is sweet music to my soul. 
This album is soul music's Sgt Pepper
 Agreed. In my top three albums of all time.

kimschoice wrote:

Right on....Another 10 is Mercy Mercy Me on my short list

 


 dduncan wrote:
One of the very few that rates 10, without reservation.

 
Right on....Another 10 is Mercy Mercy Me on my short list
{#Notworthy} TEN
 Skydog wrote:
Detroit Lions Mel Farr was in the back with the other voices
 

 
"Right on, brutha!"
 Skydog wrote:
so sad so sad
45 years later and the lyrics sound like they were written today 

 
Not entirely

Everybody thinks we're wrong
Oh, but who are they to judge us
Simply 'cause our hair is long

but replace hair with beard and it will hold for at least another decade
 Skydog wrote:
so sad so sad
45 years later and the lyrics sound like they were written today 

 
So true. Composed by Obie Benson
 Skydog wrote:
Detroit Lions Mel Farr was in the back with the other voices
 

 
Cool!
Detroit Lions Mel Farr was in the back with the other voices
 
One of the very few that rates 10, without reservation.
so sad so sad
45 years later and the lyrics sound like they were written today 
Ten.
Fashions, moral and cultural norms, and even tides of senseless persecution, violence, and war come and go, but this song resonates!
 fitmartin wrote:
Memories of CKLW Windsor/Detroit radio at the cottage!
 
CKLW in the 1960's was the best AM radio in the land. 
Motown and Beatles and everything in between.
Just don't get better. . . .
 We all miss you dude.
{#Laughing}
we know about guns and violence here. What's goin on?
 LizK wrote:

Marvin & his drugs had made his father's life a living hell. And no one regretted that shooting more than he.

 
This is not really true.  Marvin Jr. was no saint and had problems with paranoia and drug abuse, but his father shot him in cold blood.

Marvin's father was an abusive man and it was his abuse of Marvin's mother that lead Jr to confront him physically.  Shortly after the physical altercation, Marvin Sr. returned to Jr's room and shot him in the heart.  Then he fired another round into his son from point blank range.  Marvin Sr. swore if any child of his ever put a hand on him he would kill him/her.  And so he did.




Right on. Right on, bother.

Right on baby. 
 jchrise wrote:
Such prophetic words he wrote in this song...

Father, father
We don't need to escalate
You see, war is not the answer
For only love can conquer hate

Sadly, his father didn't heed the words. Makes me shiver.

 
Marvin & his drugs had made his father's life a living hell. And no one regretted that shooting more than he.
44 years gone!
Is this song ONE MINUTE past its expiration date?
Just how stupid, or how brilliant, can human beings be? 

 
The ratings graph about says it all!
 STLBubbles wrote:
{#Roflol}Never never never ever get tired of this...thank you.

 

Yes. I believe this classic will live through the test of time.  So wonderful.  What a fantastic artist Marvin was, and so missed.
 oldsaxon wrote:

Where are today's voices? We have fallen into the trap and I wish...hope, really...that someone will stand up and say these things again.

 
There are probably still a lot of people saying "these things"; whether or not anyone is listening is another story.
About the sax intro (wiki):

Fontaine's open alto saxophone riff on the song was not originally intended. When Gaye heard the playback to what Fontaine thought was simply a demo, Gaye let him go. When Fontaine said he was "just goofing around", Gaye replied, "well, you goof off exquisitely. Thank you."

So the sax intro we hear was "just" a loose warmup. I like that.
And I generally love when artists go with what works and breathes, instead of holding on to a thoughtout plan.
Heart over mind.

{#Cool} 
Memories of CKLW Windsor/Detroit radio at the cottage!
Right On Brother - Right On