What's Going On
Marvin Gaye, John Ellington Blair
Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!
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
The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com
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 InspirationThe 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 ImpactMarvin 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 SignificanceThe 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 CultureThe 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 AwarenessGaye'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.
|
Citation
Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:
Style:MLAChicagoAPA
"What's Going On Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 23 Sep. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric-lf/610068/Marvin+Gaye/What%27s+Going+On>.
Discuss the What's Going On Lyrics with the community:
Report Comment
We're doing our best to make sure our content is useful, accurate and safe.
If by any chance you spot an inappropriate comment while navigating through our website please use this form to let us know, and we'll take care of it shortly.
Attachment
You need to be logged in to favorite.
Log In