This song was song to a generation weaned on watching the war in Vietnam played out before us on the nightly news, as we waited class by class, to be called up to the front line after HS graduation. College campuses exploded in protest across the nation and were on fire with constant riots and bomb threats being the norm. Much is made of those being simpler and innocent times. Nothing could be further from the truth. Marvin Gaye's song is a lament, yearning for sanity to return. My father's enlistment ended the same year our first troops were sent to 'Nam. Saigon fell in April of 1975, I graduated 2 months later. My father and I were bookends of that war. This song resonates with me deeply.

@kevinsmith4429

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the comment about things being cool & innocent in those days. Should have been with me in Grant Park in the Chi in '68 getting teargassed & chased by cops at the Democratic Convention. I will qualify that last statement by acknowledging the fact if you dropped a beer bottle it could start a riot in that city at that time. Think that had to be the toughest place & time of my life.

@drc1989

2 жыл бұрын

So true. When I turned 14, I realized i only had 4 more years to live. Thank God and all the protesters for the end of the war and the draft. I still live by the line "...only love can conquer hate." Thanks for your comment.

@joy88867

2 жыл бұрын

Shame how not much has changed and the song is just as relevant today! ☮️

@dextercashwell5030

2 жыл бұрын

I'm a little older than you but thanks for pointing out the significance of this song coming out during the Nam era. That was a "coming of age" period for a lot of us. Also, there was the battle between the generations. If you were young (and "liberal") you questioned the war. The older (and "conservative") folks supported it. With hindsight I thinks it pretty clear who was right.

@362chop

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah well back then there was a little reason for protests, something that arrived by mail called a draft card.

"What Going On" still resonates 50 years later.

@FirstSuiGeneris

2 жыл бұрын

: )

@RamonAcosta191

2 жыл бұрын

....and it will resonate 1,000s of years from now!

@poppslayer7660

10 ай бұрын

Right on, Brother.

He fought with Motown to make this album. They wanted more of the Grapevine sound. But he wanted to get serious and make a social statement. This was his statement album. Beautiful.

@carolanestanley4030

4 ай бұрын

Should have won the Grammy for this album!

It's an album you play all the way through without a pause. One of the greatest albums ever!!❤😢

@PJB71064

7 ай бұрын

I agree FAMILY!😁🙏✌️

@rocjackson5975

4 ай бұрын

You are exactly right! The album has a flow to it, and it just flows from one song to another. One of the best albums ever!! His Trouble Man album flows like this too!

@brendamclain3567

3 ай бұрын

Amen

@roycelabor4339

3 ай бұрын

Amen! In a word, Marvin is absolutely "sublime." This entire album is, IMO, the finest concept album ever recorded. There's not a single weak spot in the entire album.

@isurvive8251

2 ай бұрын

YES !!!! UNCONTESTABLE !!!

OMG….I have been waiting for this reaction. This isn’t just a song….it’s an anthem to how tumultuous the times were. If you listen to the lyrics, you can relate them to everything that is happening today. Marvin was upset about Vietnam because he had a brother fighting in that war. This has often ranked at or near the top of best socially conscious songs. CNN recently did a special about this song and how important it was. Funny thing is, Berry Gordy didn’t want Motown to release it because he thought it was too controversial. Marvin got the last laugh because this was one of the biggest sellers Motown had.

@Mwoods2272

2 жыл бұрын

50 years later and the world feels worse now then it was back then.

@maloishwilson

2 жыл бұрын

@@Mwoods2272 PREACH

@johnplaysgames3120

2 жыл бұрын

@@Mwoods2272 Two of the biggest changes that have made the world worse: (1) Nixon's "Southern Strategy" institutionalized the political practice of stirring up fear and hatred of "the other" (races, mainly) in order to frighten/anger voters into voting the way the pols wanted; and (2) Modern media has become WAY more sophisticated at using propaganda, the 24-hour news cycle, and twisting words to convince their audiences that "the other" is anyone who doesn't agree with them and that the other half of the country are "enemies of the US." Of course, the anonymity of the internet and the freedom it gives to randos and trolls to say things to each other that they would NEVER say if they were standing face-to-face doesn't help either. There are times that I worry that the use of propaganda and "alternative facts" (by both sides, let's not kid ourselves) has become so ingrained in the culture that the current level of brainwashing (on both sides) is going to ruin us for generations to come but, man, I truly hope we grow out of this phase before they stir people up into physically fighting each other. It's crazy that we've come to a point where political gamesmanship is cynically splitting the country into two warring factions... And for what? To get votes in "the next election." It's irresponsible and short-sighted of our "leaders" and yet they seem addicted to these strategies. The problem? The solution is to get rid of all of these pols or somehow send a message that we're tired of these strats. But when a significant portion of the populace continues to fall for it and the "news" networks that are firehosing the propaganda at us are the highest rated, most profitable "news" stations on the air... I just don't know where you start. Locally, I guess, within in your own circle. But, as someone who lives in a state that is 3/4 filled with people who believe in every crazy conspiracy and speak with venomous vitriol about people like me bc their chosen "news" source tells them that I'm the enemy, it's easier said than done. The liars have the megaphone and all I can do is quietly be kind to the people I meet. Sometimes it feels like a losing battle.

@billiondollarbaby3276

2 жыл бұрын

Actually Berry Gordy ALWAYS got the last laugh cause he didnt have record sales counted for any of the artists on Motown/Tamla (Jackson 5, Marvin, Temptations, Four Tops, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross + Supremes etc). He refused to be part of the RIAA so he could tell his artists whatever sales figures he wanted to. Pocketed Gazillions that the artists should have received. No wonder most of them were completely broke after their heyday was over. Sickening how so many great artists were robbed by having no business sense whatsoever.

@RitaBowen1

2 жыл бұрын

CNN special was a great doc. If you get a chance watch it

J & Amber, you'll love his "Ain't No Mountain High Enough"(w/Tammi Terrell), "Mercy Mercy Me" and "I Heard It Through the Grapevine"!!! He's a big part of what made the 60s and 70s great. What a voice!!

@bigolebot

2 жыл бұрын

Especially during his peak 1965-1973. After that, he went downhill in my opinion.

@user-ii4zf5iq3t

2 жыл бұрын

Love Mercy, Mercy Me...

@peanutbutter35

2 жыл бұрын

I love mercy mercy me!

@shanenolan8252

2 жыл бұрын

Hell do all his greatest hits.

@SG-js2qn

2 жыл бұрын

For me, Diana Ross owns "Ain't No Mountain." I'd love to have them react to that, or "Theme from Mahogany."

This song had me tearing up before the first verse was over, because I realized that in 50 years, nothing has changed. It’s only gotten worse.

@bigolebot

Жыл бұрын

Yep nothing has changed sadly:( I take it you were a teen when this came out ?

@knightscroftsquire-muldoon

8 ай бұрын

But in some ways we have come together as well! I say: "just talk to me so I can see whats going on!"

@fmk353

8 ай бұрын

I agree... this is a tear jerker. I was a teenager during the time this song was recorded. I'm 70 now and I cry about the time we've wasted. Listen to the first verse and you'll realize what's going on now was going on then... and there isn't a single reason for it.

@JPMadden

7 ай бұрын

That's what the voices of division always want us to think. More has improved than gotten worse.

@OCGal78

6 ай бұрын

Marvin Gaye was a genius. His ability to sing about war and injustice in this world at that time during my middle school years was unmatched. And as some have said, sadly things are still the same. There is so much hate and violence perpetrated on the innocent. RIP Marvin.

This entire album is a MASTERPIECE! And a Must Hear, MERCY MERCY ME (The Ecology) and INNER CITY BLUES MAKE ME WANNA HOLLER are FIRE!!!

@steppingrazor5520

Жыл бұрын

Hell yes on Make Me Wanna Holler.

@AL13NM

Жыл бұрын

@@steppingrazor5520 This entire album belongs with the greatest artworks in recorded history, like the Mona Lisa and Beethoven's 9th symphony! And following his footsteps, Living Colour song Open Letter To A Landlord!

@Sheffield_Steve

Жыл бұрын

This is one album that vinyl album should only be purchased to appreciate the blending of some of the tracks like from this to "What's Happening Brother" that a CD or a streaming service might end up missing out with key changes between tracks that the vinyl doesn't.

@samuelalexander558

Жыл бұрын

Perfection is difficult but Mr Gaye accheived that.

@carolholly1608

8 ай бұрын

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

This is one of the most important songs ever written and recorded. The sad part is that this was released in the 70's and it's needed even more today. Thanks for the great reaction!

@BadlndsBob

2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely, this is one of the top 100 pop songs ever -- in my estimation. Great music and superb message.

@robin9876

Жыл бұрын

And how sad his own father killed him!

@RobertSmith-iw2kb

Жыл бұрын

This song was groundbreaking for this era of the early 70's.another tragic figure gone to soon in that drug infested era.

@ohfour-seven6228

Жыл бұрын

@@RobertSmith-iw2kb Yes, so many gone so soon!

@jackikarmichael65

Жыл бұрын

"This is one of the most important songs ever written and recorded." I could not agree more. The message is timeless for as long as any man is oppressed by another.

Seriously an amazing song. You can feel his hurting heart in this piece. He was so concerned about oppression in his time. And we still have so far to go. RIP Marvin. Thank you again for this gift.

@waynemarvin5661

2 жыл бұрын

That's why the song was such a hit. All of us (the Boomers) at the time could relate. We all identified with his pain and frustration.

@jamessugg7061

2 жыл бұрын

Check out the song, Moses Brown, by the Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies. 🐆

@Kim-427

2 жыл бұрын

This was just a powerful time during the 70’s. The Vietnam war,racism,The Civil rights struggle,The Panthers. I was a kid during those times. A lot going on but the unity in the black community was at an all time high. This album was powerful. RIP Marvin!

@Kim-427

2 жыл бұрын

@@cottonplant100 No offense but you couldn’t be a black person in America. The phrase is as much as things change they remain the same.

@4508bluesky

2 жыл бұрын

I guess that his brother had just come back from the war and it got Marvin thinking…

I am a 65 year old man from the UK. I first heard this when i was 17 years old. Marvin was a beautiful man with a fantastic, wonderful voice. I saw him perform live in London UK..he was spellbinding! This song is from around 1973 and even more relevant today than it was back then. This album is considered the 6th best album of all time in the Billboard top 500. Your comments about the media today etc. are absolutely on point. You are blessed, I love you both..Peace always 🙏🏼 A.

@FirstSuiGeneris

2 жыл бұрын

: )

@danielswood

2 жыл бұрын

I'm your age and have loved Marvin for forever too. Cheekbones, vocals, morals/ethics - probably in that order for me. 😉 He was so ahead on eco concerns. I have a lot of love and respect for him that outlasts many later artists.

@carolholly1608

8 ай бұрын

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

@aden2957

8 ай бұрын

@@carolholly1608 Thankyou Carol - peace and love A. 🙏

@cherrieerie4801

4 ай бұрын

my granddaddy played this album everytime we went on a drive around town 💗

This is one of the most socially important songs of our modern era.

This whole album demands a listen from start to end. Each song flows into the next seamlessly, and it tells such an important narrative. The record label didn't want to release it as it was so different and political and they figured it'd tank Marvin's career. Even things like the sounds of the street and people chatting in the background were considered too different and crazy by the label. Boy were they wrong! He was over doing the Motown bubblegum pop, please everyone thing, and wanted to speak some truth and make a difference. Still so relevant today. Plus the tunes are all bangers musically.

@hog7203

2 жыл бұрын

Yep. It's such a unique album, it's definitely worth a listen.

@RamonAcosta191

2 жыл бұрын

#1 album in my list!

@agent01soul

2 жыл бұрын

Definitely one of the greatest albums of all time.

@AckeeandSaltfish

2 жыл бұрын

Agreed it’s so cohesive and sonically sublime!!

One of the most powerful, beautiful songs ever written and sung. Hands down.

@FirstSuiGeneris

2 жыл бұрын

: )

I cry every time I hear this song, knowing that it has all, in fact, escalated. We miss you Marvin.

Brother, Marvin Gaye...a legend gone too soon. R.I.P. you're so missed. 🙏

@aspjake123

Жыл бұрын

@@bigolebot What does this matter?

One of the most iconic songs of all time, and (sadly) always relevant. Now is no exception...

You may know "Let's Got it On", but do you know "Sexual Healing"? It's a classic, and was also his final top ten hit before his untimely death in 1984.

@surlechapeau

2 жыл бұрын

great choice!

@sallyduval7164

2 жыл бұрын

It's so sad that he could sing so beautifully of peace & brotherhood, & die from family violence was so unfair.

@michaeloesterle6652

2 жыл бұрын

Classic bass line in Sexual Healing

@kahuna754

2 жыл бұрын

Are they old enough for, Sexual Healing? I can just imagine Amber's vapors. LOL.

Rob Squad Reactions.....to understand the deeper meaning of this song, you need to understand and study the time this song was written, 1971. It was a very chaotic time with the Vietnam War, race riots, etc. With this famous song, Marvin Gaye helped us make some sense what was going on and he offered solutions with his beautiful lyrics. Some say he wrote this song because they felt a revolution coming, but I feel Marvin was expressing pain that we all felt and he expressed it well. I love the way Christian Mattison wrote his feelings of this song and I totally agree with him since we both lived through this turbulent time. On a side note, did you notice in the video how skinny the people were back then?

@SladeMacGregor

Жыл бұрын

@Jim Crawford I was 16 yo then.

@louhutson450

6 ай бұрын

Marvin Gaye actually wrote this song because of his brother's experience in Vietnam.

AIN’T NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH is a beauty. Marvin & Tammi Terrell.

@floydlawson3765

6 ай бұрын

One of the best duets ever. Tragic and sad end for both of them.

Marvin was such a great song writer and singer. This and Mercy Mercy Me are still relevant today. He sang so many great songs.

Only love can conquer hate. Marvin paraphrasing Dr. King. When I heard this album when it first came out I was in boot camp studying war. Viet Nam was real and Marvin went against the wishes of his record label boss Barry Gordy to release a socially conscious album. A brave move. A move that changed society! I cried when I heard this. It was strong to see you reacting to history.

@Spazzmatazzz

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Barry wanted love songs and didn't realize where it could go.

"Mercy, Mercy Me (The Ecology)" another Marvin song with a great message you'd both Dig. If a groove thing is what you're interested in try Marvin's "Got To Give It To Me". If you want a soulful, sensual song Marvin's "Let's Get It On" or "Sexual Healing" (From early 80's just before we lost Marvin) are top notch. If a spectacular cover song is your taste Marvin's version of "I Heard It Through The Grape Vine" is one of the best. Enjoy!

Amber's beautiful smile says it all! This song is timeless and Marvin's masterpiece. RIP Marvin Gaye.

Marvin Gaye he had some powerful, powerful songs with some powerful, powerful words that rings true today. You can't go wrong with a Marvin Gaye song. Also check out his song called "Trouble Man"

@carltonbakerii8274

2 жыл бұрын

"Trouble Man"! Definitely!

The What’s Goin On ALBUM is Marvin’s pinnacle artistic achievement not just as a singer/musician, but as a person who had an awakening and wanted to communicate it to us! PLEASE listen to the album, at least once, from beginning to end as he intended. No need to react to it unless u want. But you, it and he deserves that

@21paulst

2 жыл бұрын

YES! One of the greatest albums ever. Do listen to the whole thing from start to end.

@teresajarrell452

2 жыл бұрын

YES!!! 👍😃❣️

@AckeeandSaltfish

2 жыл бұрын

Emphatically agree ❤️❤️

R.I.P. Marvin Gaye who’s music is timeless. A extremely talented singer,songwriter and musician… More of this masterwork album please!

An entire generation woke up with these civil rights tracks - music and lyrics just perfect. Privileged to have seen Marvin Gaye live in London. Queued up for hours to get those tickets at the Royal Albert Hall. Worth it thousand times over

One of the greatest songs ever! Marvin’s masterpiece.

This album is an absolute masterpiece, and a high water mark of not just R&B but popular music/ culture in general. 51 years later, it still cuts deep.

Loved your reactions!!! I was a teenager when this song came out. During that tine, it was a time of fear for many young men/women in America who were qualified for military draft during the Vietnam War and the horror and sadness of seeing all the news channels tally up the deaths of hundreds of U.S. troops being killed almost every day. According to some news media, the turning point for the Vietnam war was not on the battlefield but on a little known college campus in 1970, Kent State University, where college students were protesting the war and police opened fire and killed four college student protesters. The shooting death of these 4 students had galvanized the anti-war movement in America to a point where even the Congress and the Senate started to talk about how to end the war peacefully and honorably. Also, I saw on TV how police used brutality to control the protesters. Marvin Gaye masterfully illustrated in his song about the tragic war events during that time. On the side note, the background singers that were singing beautiful harmony and making street talking/protests noises were members of the NFL Detroit Lions. Marvin Gaye knew some of the NFL players very well and invited them to the recording studio to help him make this song. During the middle of the song Marvin Gaye said “right on”, “right on”, he was telling the football players that he liked the way they were making street talking and protest noises as well as their harmony singing. I only knew this because I saw the documentary of how Marvin Gaye made this song.

@guyray7445

Жыл бұрын

The police did not kill those students it was the National Guard the Governor called in.

One of the best songs of its time. Marvin had a voice which caressed you whilst promoting its message. The whole album should be promoted by teachers who want to show youngsters how to use your vocabulary to communicate. Not just using words but emotions. But it appears most American schools would rather promote football than communication skills.

A few years ago, I was lucky enough to find Marvin Gaye's 'What's Going On?' record at a local Salvation Army Thrift Store or Value Village for two dollars. The cover looked pretty rough and I remember saying, "Please don't be scratched, please don't be scratched" and the record inside was in BEAUTIFUL shape. It is a cherished record indeed. :)

His brother was in the Vietnam war and told Marvin about what was going on there and here,and he wrote it down, still has meaning for today's society.

@philipmcinerney8224

Жыл бұрын

Stop talking propaganda

This song should be playing in our country every day ❤❤❤

"War is not the answer, for only Love can conquer Hate". Such a powerful line & one I have tried to live my life by. It is songs like this that still give me hope.

One of the most tragic losses in the music world at the hands of his father. Every song of his was a gem.

This song was during the Vietnam War. Every time you turned around, President Johnson was “escalating” the war and the size of our troop presence. The draft was in force, so not many guys escaped it unless you were in school. So this was an anti-war song at the time. Marvin’s smooth voice made this an instant hit. Thanks for playing it.

@jimlakey8366

2 жыл бұрын

Nixon.

@cazgerald9471

2 жыл бұрын

@@jimlakey8366 This song was during Nixon. Both had bad war policies - year over year troop escalation was during LBJ.

@pamcoyer9582

2 жыл бұрын

@@jimlakey8366, Nope. Johnson was famous for his “escalation” word. Nixon won his election by campaigning against the Nam War. (Tho Nixon kept his plan a secret until he was re-elected in ‘72) Marvin Gay sang “Father, father we don’t need to escalate. War is not the answer”. Nixon was in office when the song hit, but it was Johnson’s rhetoric that the song mentions. Thanks for commenting.

@pamcoyer9582

2 жыл бұрын

@@reallymysterious4520, I hate to be so picky, but Muhammed Ali did not put it on hold. He was about to go to prison for draft evasion. So his Championship Title was stripped from him. And I believe, banned from boxing at the time. Cassius Clay had become a Muslim a little before he was drafted……..then refused to go on religious grounds. He really was “the greatest”.

@Alan-lv9rw

2 жыл бұрын

The Vietnam War could have been won.

Now younger generation knows where the greeting " what going on" originated from. In the streets of the 70's.

The entire album is a deep and meaningful masterpiece. Best he ever did.

What a fitting song given the recent horrors of the last few weeks. Marvin was a genius.

@bluetopguitar1104

2 жыл бұрын

Well said!!

This song is as relevant today as it was when it was released. Look into the history of this song.

Bring Marvin Gaye to any event, he's loved where ever you go 👍♥️🙏✝️✌️😎

Please do more Marvin Gaye!!! -just to keep you satisfied -distant lovers -I wish I didn’t love you so -come live with me angel -what’s happening brother -come get to this -after the dance -trouble man -I want you

“What's Going On” was a response to a war that claimed the lives of over 3 million people - more than half of them Vietnamese civilians. The song not only called for an end to the war. It also served as a critique of 1970s America. Drugs, racism and poverty were crippling most inner cities.

@mpdalyful1

2 жыл бұрын

It's a letter to his brother Charlie, who wanted to fight in Vietnam and got drafted. His relationship with his father was terrible. And he was pleading with him to stop fighting

@willowb1527

2 жыл бұрын

Yes. A major anti-war song back then. People say that this generation is the worst ever in history. These millennials and Zers need to go back to where there was the Vietnam war and all the protest and all the violence back then. This is not the worst time ever in America. Shine on. ✌️

@kathyrams

2 жыл бұрын

@@mpdalyful1 His relationship with his father was so bad his father killed him, shot him three times in the chest

@kathyrams

2 жыл бұрын

@@willowb1527 Maybe but we stopped the war!

This is listed in the top 100 albums of all time. Berry Gordy tried to discourage him from recording this album, as it didn't fit with the Motown sound that people had become accustomed to. Marvin didn't cave. This was something he had to do. The world needed it. 50 years later, it's still relevant. Sadly, the world hasn't changed much.

@dwaynes5983

Жыл бұрын

Sad. World got a lot worse.

@twuando

Жыл бұрын

on the rolling stones list of 500 greatest albums of all time its listed as #1

I’m a Detroit born and raised white 71 year old guy and my eyes still shed tears for the senseless loss of Marvin Gay! He had sooooo much more in store for the world, with that GOD GIVEN voice!!! Motown was the Heartbeat of the Entire area! It still is. No electronic voice falsification. I feel so truly sorry for you younger folks out there.

This is actually my favorite Marvin Gaye song. So glad you reacted to it.

There are just some songs in life that you remember exactly where you were the first time you heard it. This is one. I was 12 and my parents were building a house. We were living in an apartment complex in Atlanta until it was done. I was watching some people playing handball and there was a speaker where you sat to watch. The radio station played this song and I've never forgotten that moment. This was in 1971!

@davidbordonaro1631

2 жыл бұрын

I've often wondered why certain moments stick in our memories and others are just forgotten .

@Goobie77

2 жыл бұрын

Turned 12 in 1971 too! Down the road from Atlanta.

@jaycorby

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you, Carol. I really like it when people include dates in their posts. My next birthday ( Sept. 25 ) I'll turn 77. In 1971 when this album came out I turned 26! The years have slipped by so fast, it's hard to believe that this classic is 51 years old, and has withstood the test of time. I'm also extremely grateful that KZread exists today. At the stroke of a few keys any song ever recorded can be retrieved almost immediately. We could never have imagined what the future would bring back then.

Great great song, glad you picked this one, try mercy mercy me, you’ll love it.

@Wordsmyth8

2 жыл бұрын

And Inner City Blues.

Marvin...what a gentle soul

I've always thought of this entire album as being a single piece of music. The tracks flow together so naturally. Listen to the whole thing at one sitting. It's a great experience.

Marvin was inspired to write/record his 1971 "What's Going On" album after hearing Donny Hathaway's 1970 album "Everything Is Everything". In fact, Marvin directly quotes from Donny's album. To experience the full effect of this artistic masterpiece, you must first listen to Donny's album, followed immediately by Marvin's album.

I have Marvin Gaye's entire music collection from his start in 1961 all the way up to right before he died. This whole album is straight fire 🔥🔥🔥

@user-ii4zf5iq3t

2 жыл бұрын

Wasn't he great!!!

@resurrectionwaiting9294

2 жыл бұрын

This is the greatest album I've ever heard.

@ycoyle2803

2 жыл бұрын

Even the one he bombed because his ex was gonna get the$,,,,, “Here My Dear”?😊

MARVIN GAYE! 🔥🔥The G.O.A.T!!!🔥🔥..The Best Soulful Smoothest Singer Of All Time!🚫🧢🚫🧢..."FAXXX!"

"Got To Give It Up" is a great Marvin Gaye song.

Powerful and moving song,only Marvin Gaye could sing this the way it should have been . He wasn’t called the Prince of Motown for nothing.

Love "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" & "Mercy Mercy Me" by Marvin. He also did a beautiful duet with Tammi Terell called "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" 🎵🔥🎙 RIP Marvin.

Yes, one of the greatest male soul singers ever! And fantastic lyrics delivered perfectly...

@RobertSmith-iw2kb

Жыл бұрын

Marvin was an aspiring football player.and some of the backup singers were actually his friends from the Detroit lions.

Marvin Gaye: An ambassador of peace & love loaned to us from on high. ❤️

This song is the title track of one of the best albums ever made. Somehow, Marvin managed to make a soul album. a protest album and a party album ALL IN THE SAME ALBUM! When he first played the song to Barry Gordy (head of Motown), Barry hated it because it was so far from the previous stuff that Marvin (and Motown) had been so successful with. Marvin had to threaten to quit to get Barry to put out the single. Once the single was an absolute smash, of course Barry changed his tune and sent Marvin into the studio to make the masterpiece album.

@djhrecordhound4391

2 жыл бұрын

Since early Motown days, it was regular practice for them to make "dedicated mixes" for singles. (Almost like Easter egg sounds you don't hear on album versions.) They sounded better on radio, and because 45s were usually shorter, sometimes a slight remix could be used to edit an album cut from 5 minutes to 3 and a half or 4. What's Going On has less chatter on the 45, but it seems to groove a little stronger.

Marvin Gaye is fire🔥This song is everything! Best song to kick the last two years to the curb,and come together in love and unity❣👏🏿👊

The way you settled into this song as it started, was like it was in your DNA. ❤️❤️

I loved this man more than my own life during my teen years. That was a long time ago. I still love him and all of his music.

By the way, another fairly unknown song with a powerful message in the vein of "What's Going On" and Sam Cooke's "Change Is Gonna Come" is Aretha Franklin's "Take A Look" recorded in 1967. I first heard it when I was in high school and to this day it still brings tears to my eyes.

This was written in the 60's during the Vietnam War and inner city struggle. However this song is still just as relevant today as the day Marvin sang it. The song "Mercy Mercy Me" , or the ecology song is another song that is even more relevant today than in the 60's.

A song that changed the thinking of so many people during a time when such conflict was going on. We need more socially conscious music like this today.

One of the best albums ever made. The messages and themes are still VERY relevant today (unfortunately). What a tremendous talent.

*** And to think this True Classic came out in 1971, over 50 Years Ago! That's the Definition of a CLASSIC, Right? When it Still Stands Today.

@brucedillinger9448

2 жыл бұрын

Amen!

So sad to hear the line, "Father, father, we don't need to escalate." Gaye was shot twice following an altercation with his father after he intervened in an argument between his parents. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the California Hospital Medical Center.

@lisacox5405

2 жыл бұрын

It was a complex situation. People never tell the full story. I don’t want to get too much into it because this is a family friendly site. So, I will leave it there - it was sad and a complex situation

My favourite by Marvin Gaye is "Abraham, Martin & John" (no 8 UK) and surprisingly according to Wikipedia didn't chart in the US. It's a beautiful tribute song. Please give it a listen. Much love from England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Beautiful, Timeless song and his deliverance is stunning. Cindi Lauper did s really cool cover of this song (fun fact),. You can't go wrong with anything from Marvin Gaye.

This and "Mercy, Mercy Me" were my faves.

This was primarily an anti-Vietnam War song. Only love can conquer hate. The record company was not thrilled he wanted to do this but it was absolutely amazing. The words cause you to relate to everyday life where conflict is a part of the equation. We just need to be nicer to each other.

Respect must be given to The Funk Brothers on this track. My favorite part about it is the master,James Jameson, played this bass track while lying flat on the floor.He was the best!

I think Marvin Gaye has one of the best voices ever I could listen to him everyday all day long

Oh my! I almost forgot about his last hit "Sexual Healing," Now, you have to listen 🎶 to that one. 🔥❤🎵

The original songwriter heard about an anti-Vietnam war protest and the police brutality on those protesters, witnessed by members of the Four Tops. Their initial response was, "What's goin' on?" Marvin took the original song and modified it extensively. It became a huge hit for him.

@joeday4293

2 жыл бұрын

And Berry Gordy didn't want him to record it. It went on to become both the greatest and most successful album in Motown history. Gordy later admitted that he should have trusted Marvin's instincts.

This album-Top 5 All-Time Greatest. It is a masterpiece from beginning to end. Marvin had such a complex and tragic life, and to have it end at his father’s hand makes this song that much more profound. RIP Genius.

@deborahpaley21

8 ай бұрын

Absolutely. Masterpiece. Top 5 desert island pic for me

As others here have already said, you've GOT to listen to this whole album from start to finish -- a life-changing spiritual/soulful experience.

The Prince of Motown whose my favorite artist of all times. He wrote this song in response to the stories that his brother told him about being over in Vietnam and all the horrors of that war. Please don't stop there with Marvin's awesome music, because his music catalog is HUGE!!!

The entire album is fantastic! “Mercy Mercy Me” is a great one as well, and I think you already did “Inner City Blues”.

Ambers throw away line about Lets get it On ,"a lot of us are here because of that song" made me chuckle , good reactions as always .

Fifty years ago and nothing's changed because nobody listens, nobody talk and nobody in the places that matter have desire for change......a sad world but we must never give up - keep pushing those that can facilitate change. Marvin did not have answers but he asked the right questions and proposed ideas. "Save the Children" is another beautiful song from Marvin.

Marvin Gaye was part of early Motown in the 1960's. He had a lot of great songs such as "Ain't That Peculiar", "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)", "I Heard It Through The Grapevine", "Let's Get It On", "Mercy, Mercy Me" etc. Gaye also recorded quite a few duets with Mary Wells ("Once Upon A Time" & 'What's The Matter With You Baby"), Kim Weston ("It Takes Two"), Tammi Terrell ("Ain't No Mountain High Enough", "Your Precious Love", "Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing" & "You're All I Need To Get By").

I think everybody, any generation, needs to hear Marvin Gaye. His version of "I Heard it Through the Grapevine, I think is the best.

How is it possible you've never heard this song before? This song and album is one of the most important in music history.

Marvin is The Man. Legend. True classics.

This song will always be relevant. Such a beautiful song. Marvin Gaye was amazing. Such a tragic loss.

Such a great song that we need today....Marvin Gaye was so talented...

Absolute classic. Still rings true today. Only love can conquer hate.

WE ABSOLUTELY NEED THIS SONG ON ALL RADIO WAVES AND RALLIES. THis song by itself is what AMERICA NEEDS right now. God bless America and its citizens. 🤟🥰🙏🏼🇺🇲

This song has always been a favorite of mine because I see it as genius.

Love this song so much . There were many artists with great messages in 60s and 70s

I hit play on this one saying, "Yeah! Let's sing a song!" I'm old enough to remember when this came out. Message so timely it got me tearing up wondering when we're gonna get it together.

I was lucky enough to see marvin in concert in liverpool UK . . . Bloody fantastic live artist

Awesome reaction!, This song is so relevant today. I didn't ever think that things would get like this Again!, we need young people to speak up and teach these old dinosaurs a little love.❤ Another thought provoking song from Marvin Gaye is "Mercy mercy me". Thanks Peace!☮

@brucedillinger9448

2 жыл бұрын

Completely agree! I was born 1957. I am urging the up and coming generation, when ever they'll listen, to take up the mantle and beat back the new (and old) tide of hate that seems to be gaining an upper hand in present day U.S.A. ✌

Easily one of my top five songs of all time (and I love allllll music). The message, his voice, the instruments, the background…….IT’S EVERYTHING!

This is my favorite Marvin Gaye song not just because of its socially conscious message, but his voice and singing style make it beautiful to listen to.

What A Magnificent Singer and Performer !! R.I.P. Marvin Gaye !!