🧢 Howard Dee’s Take on the Song
I first heard What’s Going On in the early ’90s. I wasn’t even a huge Marvin Gaye fan yet—my brother introduced me to it. And something about it stopped me in my tracks. It felt less like a pop song and more like a spiritual reckoning. When I hear it now, I imagine Marvin walking the streets of a Black neighborhood in early ’70s Chicago, calmly and urgently delivering this song as a message we’re all supposed to sit with—not just hear, but feel.
🎤 The Story Behind the Song
By 1970, Marvin Gaye was at a personal and professional crossroads. His duet partner Tammi Terrell had died tragically young, and his brother Frankie had returned from Vietnam, full of horror stories and hopelessness. Meanwhile, America was unraveling—protests, police brutality, assassinations, and a seemingly endless war overseas.
The seed for What’s Going On came from Four Tops member Renaldo “Obie” Benson, who witnessed anti-war protestors being brutalized by police. He brought the idea to Marvin, who was ready to say something bigger. Together with Motown songwriter Al Cleveland, they built a song that was radically unlike anything the label had ever produced—introspective, jazz-inflected, and politically loaded.
Motown founder Berry Gordy was furious. He didn’t want protest music tied to Motown’s squeaky-clean hit factory. But Marvin refused to back down. He told Gordy he wouldn’t record another note for the label unless What’s Going On was released. Reluctantly, Motown pressed it, and within weeks, it was a massive hit.
🎵 Quick Song Overview
Release Year: 1971
Album: What’s Going On
Writers: Marvin Gaye, Renaldo “Obie” Benson, Al Cleveland
Chart Peak: #2 on Billboard Hot 100
Label: Tamla (Motown)
Accolades: #1 on Rolling Stone’s list of Greatest Songs of All Time (2021); inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame; part of the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress
🎚️ Musical Innovation That Changed Soul
Part of what makes What’s Going On so powerful is that it’s not just a lyrical statement—it’s a sonic revolution. The song opens with the ambient sound of a party: chatter, laughter, clinking glasses. Then a smooth, almost mournful saxophone glides in—played by Eli Fontaine, whose warm-up Marvin famously used as the final take.
Gaye layered his own vocals in multiple harmonies—an accidental discovery that became his signature for the entire album. The groove is smooth and relaxed, with James Jamerson’s bass playing improvisational runs beneath tight congas and soft strings.
Rather than shout his frustrations, Marvin wrapped them in beauty. The result is disarming—political music that feels like a meditation.
🧠 Dive Into the Lyrics — Stanza by Stanza
“Mother, mother
There’s too many of you crying“
Gaye starts not with anger, but with heartbreak. “Mother” stands for every woman mourning a son sent to die. This isn’t abstract—it’s familial, immediate, human.
Brother, brother, brother
There’s far too many of you dying“
This is a direct reference to young Black men dying in Vietnam and America’s cities. Marvin’s brother had just returned from the war. These weren’t statistics—they were brothers, friends, classmates.
“You know we’ve got to find a way
To bring some lovin’ here today“
The refrain isn’t a call to arms—it’s a call to care. Marvin’s asking for compassion as a political act. Love isn’t weak—it’s what might save us.
“Father, father
We don’t need to escalate
You see, war is not the answer
For only love can conquer hate“
This is one of the most powerful refrains in music history. To me, this verse represents the generational structure of American families at the time: fathers made the decisions, mothers mourned, and brothers were forced to fight. Here, Marvin reframes authority as something that should choose love over violence.
“Picket lines and picket signs
Don’t punish me with brutality
Talk to me / So you can see“
This is my favorite lyric. Why? Our country was founded on freedom of speech, but now we have cancel culture, and people can’t even hear opposing views. Marvin’s plea is timeless: don’t answer protest with force. Answer it with dialogue.
“Mother, mother
Everybody thinks we’re wrong
Oh, but who are they to judge us
Simply ’cause our hair is long“
Marvin is now speaking directly to his generation, defending long hair, peace marches, and individuality. At the time, those things were seen as rebellion. Now they’re seen as courageous.
“You know we’ve got to find a way
To bring some understanding here today“
Notice the lyrical evolution—from “lovin’” to “understanding.” Gaye is deepening his message. Love alone isn’t enough. Empathy is required.
“Picket lines and picket signs
Don’t punish me with brutality
Come on talk to me / So you can see“
Repetition doesn’t dull this line—it reinforces it. The song’s emotional core is in this constant invitation to talk. That’s how real change begins.
“What’s going on? (What’s going on)
Tell me what’s going on.“
The chorus is deceptively simple. It’s not a slogan, it’s a question. And it’s still hanging in the air, waiting for an answer that might never come.
🌍 Legacy and Cultural Impact
What’s Going On redefined what soul music could be. It was the first Motown song to address war, poverty, racism, and police violence. It laid the groundwork for entire careers—Stevie Wonder’s Innervisions, Curtis Mayfield’s Superfly, and D’Angelo’s Voodoo all owe a debt.
The song has been used in anti-war rallies, civil rights campaigns, and environmental protests. In 2021, Rolling Stone named it the greatest song of all time, proof that Marvin’s voice still echoes.
💬 Howard’s Closing Thoughts
Unfortunately, this song will always be relevant. Whether it’s Vietnam, Gaza, Ukraine, or our streets, too many decisions are made without love. What’s Going On isn’t just a time capsule—it’s a reminder of what we risk losing. And as I see it, our job through this blog is to ensure Marvin’s message is never forgotten.
🎶 Other Song Deep Dives
🎵 Closer to the Heart – Rush
🎵 Goodnight Saigon – Billy Joel
🎵 Afternoon Delight – Starland Vocal Band
🔁 More Marvin Gaye on 70sMusicWisdoms.com
📘 Marvin Gaye Artist Profile
🎧 Top 15 Marvin Gaye Songs
📘 Modern Echo: Marvin Gaye and Anderson .Paak
❓ Test Your Knowledge
Think you know Marvin Gaye? Take the Marvin Gaye Trivia Quiz and see how many facts you can get right about the man behind the message.
💬 Join the Conversation
What does What’s Going On mean to you? When did you first hear it, and has its meaning changed over time? Drop your thoughts in the comments and be sure to subscribe to our newsletter for more song deep dives and 70s music magic.
🔗 Artist Resources
🎤 Marvin Gaye on Wikipedia
🎧 Listen on Spotify
📀 Mercy, Mercy Me: The Art, Loves and Demons of Marvin Gaye
