What’s Going On? by Marvin Gaye (1971)

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What's Going On? by Marvin Gaye

What’s Going On? is a track from Marvin Gaye’s eleventh studio album released on May 21, 1971 by the Motown Records-subsidiary label Tamla. The American soul singer, songwriter and producer recorded the album between 1970 and 1971. The song narrates the viewpoint of the Vietnam veteran who returned to his homeland witnessing hatred, suffering, and injustice. The album became an immediate success and commercial. [1]

Marvin Gaye

Key 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, eh eh

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 oh

Picket lines and picket signs

Don't punish me with brutality

Talk to me, so you can see [2]

Black Empowerment

The song is an impeccable plea for peace on Earth. [3] It is also a momentous display of rhetoric as a critique on the nation’s devastating condition. Gaye, by 1970, had experienced two mournful situations in his life, the death of his duet partner, Tammi Terrell and the return of his brother from the violent Vietnam War. These become the inspiration and the story behind the song to promote love and unity in the face of America’s challenges.

What’s Going On? is a critique over the leaders’ wrongdoing, which emphasizes the needs for peaceful action as a response. The persuasive language Gaye uses in the song to connect with listeners as a platform for sharing connection and experience is implicit, while his call for love is explicit. [4]

This is a different type of protest song where it shows peaceful protests and an end to war and violence without radical remarks. [5]

References