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Marvin Gaye – What’s Going On

Marvin Gaye - Death, Father & Songs

About the Song

In the tumultuous year of 1971, amidst a backdrop of war, social unrest, and environmental degradation, a musical masterpiece emerged, capturing the collective angst and yearning for peace that resonated deeply within the hearts of millions. Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On” was more than just a song; it was a clarion call for humanity, a poignant plea for understanding and unity in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.

From the opening notes, Gaye’s soulful vocals weave a tapestry of raw emotion, painting a vivid picture of a world in turmoil. The lyrics, co-written by Gaye with Al Cleveland and Renaldo Benson, are a stark and unflinching commentary on the social and political upheavals of the time. Gaye’s impassioned voice questions the senseless violence of war, the injustices of racial discrimination, and the looming threat of environmental destruction.

“What’s Going On” is not merely a lament, however; it is also a beacon of hope, a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit. Gaye’s plea for peace and unity is interwoven with a message of resilience and determination, urging listeners to rise above the chaos and work towards a brighter future.

The song’s impact was immediate and profound. “What’s Going On” topped the Billboard charts in 1971 and has since become an enduring classic, recognized as one of the most important and influential songs of all time. Its message of social consciousness and its timeless appeal have resonated with generations of listeners, transcending cultural and linguistic barriers.

Marvin Gaye’s masterpiece is more than just a song; it is a cultural touchstone, a powerful reminder of the transformative power of music. “What’s Going On” stands as a timeless testament to the human spirit’s capacity for empathy, compassion, and the unwavering belief in a better world.

Marvin Gaye - Legendary R&B Songwriter | uDiscover Music

Video 

Lyrics: What’s Going On

Hey, hey-hey
Hey, what’s happenin’?
Hey, brother, what’s happenin’?
Boy, this is a groovy party (Hey, how you doin’?)
Man, I can dig it
Yeah, brother, solid, right on
What’s happenin’?
Hey, man, what’s happening?
Woo
Everything is everything
We’re gonna do a get down today, boy, I’ll tell yaMother, 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, 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

(In the meantime, right on, baby)
Woo (Right on, baby), woo
Ah-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya, ya-ya-ya-ya-ya
Woo (Right on, baby, right on)
Right on
Ah-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya, ya-ya-ya-ya-ya

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
To bring some understanding here today
Oh

Picket lines and picket signs
Don’t punish me with brutality
Talk to me
So you can see
What’s going on
Yeah, what’s going on
Tell me what’s going on
I’ll tell you what’s going on – uh
Right on baby
Right on baby

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The first time Mac Davis saw Elvis Presley, he never forgot the feeling. Years later, the memory remained as vivid as if it had happened the day before. “He was the most beautiful man you ever saw,” Mac once said, but he was talking about far more than appearance. There was something impossible to explain about Elvis. When he entered a room, conversations faded, heads turned without thinking, and for a brief moment it seemed as though the entire world had quietly stopped to watch him breathe.

There is a photograph of Lisa Marie Presley at Graceland that seems to hold an entire lifetime within a single moment. Shared years later by Linda Thompson, it shows a little girl whose smile is untouched by the weight of the future. She looks peaceful, curious, and completely at home. Looking at the image today, it is easy to forget that she was the daughter of the most famous entertainer in the world. In that moment, she is simply a child wrapped in the quiet safety of her father’s love.

Elvis Presley never spoke about his success as though he had planned it. More than once, he quietly admitted, “I just fell into it.” There was no grand strategy, no carefully designed path to greatness. One day he was a young truck driver in Memphis trying to make an honest living. The next, the entire world seemed to know his name. His father, Vernon, once looked at him in disbelief and said, “What happened, El? The last thing I remember, I was working in a can factory and you were driving a truck.” It was a simple question, but it captured the miracle that neither of them could fully explain.

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