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Marvin Gaye – What’s Going On

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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

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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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SHE WAS A BRIDE AT FIFTEEN, A MOTHER AT SIXTEEN, AND THE FIRST WOMAN NASHVILLE EVER HAD TO CALL “ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR” — THEN SHE NAMED HER BABY AFTER THE BEST FRIEND SHE’D JUST BURIED, AND THAT BABY SPENT A LIFETIME MAKING SURE NEITHER VOICE WAS FORGOTTEN. Loretta Lynn came out of Butcher Hollow, Kentucky, with nothing but a coal miner’s last name and a voice that could pin a grown man to his chair. Married before she could drive. Four children by twenty-two. Then she wrote songs that scared Nashville half to death — about cheating husbands, birth control pills, and women who’d had enough. Sixteen number-ones. Presidential Medal of Freedom. The whole world calling her the Coal Miner’s Daughter. In 1963, her best friend Patsy Cline died in a plane crash. The next year, Loretta gave birth to twins. She named one of them Patsy. That little girl grew up backstage, between tour buses and honky-tonks. She formed The Lynns with her twin sister Peggy. Earned CMA nominations. Then she did something quieter and heavier — she stepped behind the glass and co-produced her mother’s final albums alongside Johnny Cash’s son. Loretta died October 4, 2022. That first birthday without her, Patsy woke up reaching for a phone call that wasn’t coming — her mama singing “Happy Birthday,” the way she always had. Does knowing Loretta named her daughter after a ghost she never stopped grieving make “I Fall to Pieces” feel like it belongs to both of them now?

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