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What's Going On

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Marvin Gaye

About What's Going On

"What's Going On" is a song by American recording artist Marvin Gaye, released in 1971 on the Motown subsidiary Tamla. Originally inspired by a police brutality incident witnessed by Renaldo "Obie" Benson, the song was composed by Benson, Al Cleveland, and Gaye and produced by Gaye himself. The song marked Gaye's departure from the Motown Sound towards more personal material. Later topping the Hot Soul Singles chart for five weeks and crossing over to number two on the Billboard Hot 100, it would sell over two million copies, becoming Gaye's second-most successful Motown song to date.  


Year:
2014
3:53
6,751 
#4

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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, yea

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

Picket lines and picket signs
Don't punish me with brutality
Talk to me, so you can see
Oh, what's going on
What's going on
Ya, what's going on
Ah, what's going on

In the mean time
Right on, baby
Right on
Right on

Father, father, 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
Ya, 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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Marvin Gaye

Marvin Gaye (April 2, 1939 – April 1, 1984), born Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr., was an American singer-songwriter and musician whose career spanned more than two decades. Born and raised in Washington, D.C., he was the son of a storefront minister of a local Pentecostal church sect and grew up singing gospel in church revivals as a young child. Gaye branched out into secular music as a teenager, joining the doo-wop group The Marquees, after returning from an honorable discharge from the United States Air Force, before the group was hired by Harvey Fuqua to be Harvey & The Moonglows. Following the band's separation in 1960, Gaye began working as a session drummer for the Detroit music label, Anna, before signing with Motown Records in 1961, adding an "e" to his s… more »

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Sheet Music      PDF     

Written by: Alfred W Cleveland, Marvin P Gaye, Renaldo Benson

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

8 facts about this song

Song History
"What's Going On" was released by American recording artist Marvin Gaye from the Motown Records. - It was given public exposure on January 20, 1971. - Despite initial pushback from Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown Records, fearing the song was too political for the public, it went on to become one of the greatest hits.
Lyrics Inspiration
The song's lyrics reflect Marvin Gaye's take on the deeply troubled times of the 1970s, including the Vietnam War, drug abuse, environmental issues, and poverty. - It was inspired by Renaldo "Obie" Benson, a Four Tops member, who witnessed an act of police brutality at an anti-war rally in Berkeley.
Commercial Success
"What's Going On" was a major hit, peaking at the number two spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and topped the R&B chart for 5 weeks. - It has sold over two million copies.
Legacy and Impact
Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" has a lasting legacy and has been hailed by various music critics as Gaye's finest work. - In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked "What's Going On" the fourth-greatest song of all time. - It was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998.
Album Significance
The song paved the way for Marvin Gaye's concept album of the same name, which is now regarded as one of the greatest albums in the history of American popular music. - The album marked a departure from Motown's factory production style, allowing artists more creative control over their work.
Notable Covers and Performances
"What's Going On" has been covered by a multitude of artists across various genres, reinforcing its timeless appeal and message. - Notable covers include those done by Cyndi Lauper, Los Lobos, and A Perfect Circle.
Use in Media and Popular Culture
The song has been used in numerous film and television soundtracks. Notably, it was featured in movies like "Four Brothers" and "Save the Last Dance". - It’s also referenced in popular TV shows including "The Wonder Years" and "The Wire".
Message and Social Awareness
Gaye's "What's Going On" is not just a song; it's a social commentary about the turbulent times of its era. - To this day, the song continues to resonate given its universal themes of peace, love, and understanding.

Discuss the What's Going On Lyrics with the community:

2 Comments
  • brooklyna.14366
    brooklyna.14366
    Hmmmm…I see that no site ever includes the lyrics from the chorus in this song which is really tragic as it adds so much more flavor to this song than what you include here. “Picket signs (silly stuff) & picket lines (silly stuff) don’t punish me with brutality”

    It’s important because he’s telling you that you think you’re doing something but that’s all “silly stuff” which doesn’t amount to a lot, the marching, the signs & the picketing.

    Now when the “Picket signs/lines” lyric is repeated once more in the song the chorus changes the lyrics some, I don’t understand what they’re singing but I know it’s different. If anyone else does know feel free to respond. But that’s my two cents, hope it was worth it.     
    LikeReply2 years ago
  • brooklyna.14366
    brooklyna.14366
    No one ever bothers to include the chorus. “Picket signs (silly stuff) & Picket lines (silly stuff). That’s my favorite line from the song because as the chorus further elaborates that’s all “silly stuff” the picket signs & picket lines. Unless I’ve been mishearing what they were saying all this years that’s what I think they’re saying. When these lyrics are repeated again in the song I think they changed it & I can’t understand what the chorus is singing so please excuse me. 
    LikeReply2 years ago

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"What's Going On Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 9 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/31216245/Marvin+Gaye/What%27s+Going+On>.

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What's Going On

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Top Hot 100 Songs 1971

Billboard #2


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