What's Going On

"But who really cares? Who's willing to try... to save our sweet world?" Shadows and light. Chiaroscuro, in painting. The bitter and the sweet, in chocolate. It's the stuff of melancholy, of regret, worry, dark times ahead. Marvin Gaye's human pleas, genuine and earnest... to save the babies, up against a symphony that's filmic, romantic, in an almost 1001 Strings kind of way. An orchestral setting that Berry Gordy thought was too old, outdated, the kids will never dig, etc. etc. But it's the perfect backdrop– nostalgia– that gives us context for Marvin's anguish about the future. It's also personal. It's an album about his brother's letters to him from Vietnam... the anti-war protests that Obie Benson saw firsthand which lead him to write "What's Going On?"... his own dark struggles with his family, addiction. A changing planet. And somehow Marvin is perfectly positioned to help us understand. He doesn't preach, he doesn't condescend. He brings you into his inner world, and doesn't count you out. And it's a Motown album? Impossible. I can't imagine the whiplash from the American public when this came out. Motown? Song cycles? Dark subject matter? *That* Marvin Gaye? An album for a coming storm... and one to put together the pieces from a few very real personal storms in the 1960s. An amazing album. The soundtrack to so many people's lives, their own anxieties and dark places and chances for redemption. Music for a sweet world. 5/5

10/10 thanks, Marvin Gaye 👍 Inventor of Sex

Love the sound, but there’s a bit too much about Jesus.

So magnificent and bittersweet. You cannot listen to this album and not feel that sense of sweet sweet nostalgia. It's an album about living in the future, suddenly waking up one day and it's 1971, and there's this moment of clarity, like "wait, what's really going on here?" Somehow it perfectly captures that for me. So beautiful.

What's Going On? Not much honestly.

Can't believe I've never listened to this album the whole way through. It's got a great feel to it and the whole thing is so cohesive. Reading the Wikipedia page about this album, here's one of the most random facts I've heard about a musician. "Around the spring of 1970, Gaye also began seriously pursuing a career in football with the professional football team the Detroit Lions of the NFL, even working out with the Eastern Michigan Eagles football team." That's insane - he would have been 31 and he just decided, ya know, I think I'm going to start playing professional football. Too bad it didn't work out, I'm sure my Lions could have used him. Anyway, back to the music. Going with 4 stars for this one.

I think this is so beloved more for being \"important\" than for sounding great. I bought this many years ago but I haven't listened to it in probably 10 years. There are 2 almost-bangers at the end of the album, tracks 7 and 9. The title track is also pretty great. But the album is not very musically diverse. The second track sounds like a copy of the first, and most of the rest has a similar, slow soul feel. I think if this album mixed things up more I would like it better. That said, the lyrics are good, and I've always like Marvin's singing a lot.

Wow. This album puts you into such a specific mood. The rain on Marvin's face reflects today's weather accompanying my listen to this record. We start off this album with a political statement on "What's Going On" that is a very serious statement about police brutality hidden behind what sounds like jubilation and a very calming groovy bongo beat. Apparently when Marvin brought this to Motown they were appalled. Said it was way too political. I'm glad that Marvin stood his ground and argued that it was a very political time to be alive, pushing for the very real nature of this album. It feels visceral, like music that isn't made simply to make music. Lyrics like "Who Really Cares // Who's willing to try // To save a world that's destined to die?" are not the type of lyrics the label was expecting to hear, I'm sure. A lyric I deeply identified with. Save the damn babies. I absolutely love the way it flows, at least from the start through "God Is Love". Like I'm watching a movie. I will say that while the songs after "God Is Love" are still beautifully written and arranged, I wish that the entire album flowed together rather than dropping that concept midway through. Loved the drums on "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)". Loved all of the brass and woodwinds on "Right On". Loved the entirety of "Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)". So many simple lines in this song that are just so great. "Panic is spreadin', God knows where we're headin'" As Marvin states on the final track, "this ain't livin'". We've made a lot of progress since 1971 but honestly this record could have been made yesterday and the themes Marvin's lyrics touch on would still be just as pertinent now as they were back then. The album cover makes sense to me now. It's not all sunshine and rainbows. 5/5.

Absolute classic from start to finish - such a beautiful unique sound

An immaculate and storied album. I listened to it a lot in college. I’ve always loved Gaye’s lyrics, thematic focus, and vocals on this album, but what struck me most today was the production and musicianship exhibited behind the man. And how well these songs flow from one into another. They practically compose a suite from “What’s Happening” through “Mercy” and from “Right On” to “Holy.” Simply one of the great, grooviest albums ever.

I want to like Marvin Gaye records more than I usually do after listening to them. I understand it…the cultural relevance, his fantastic voice…this is a great record, but I just don’t see myself listening to it very often.

Nice voice but album bored me. I hate 'Save the Children'. I don't hate children and if a child needs saving then yeah, let's save them but this song half makes me think we should just leave the children if it's going to produce more songs like this

it was ok, bit overhyped

9/10. Fellas, it is Gaye

This is one of the most powerful and heartfelt musical statements ever made, and would be a strong contender for greatest album of all time in my book. I have always admired the atmosphere he was able to capture and maintain throughout the record. Although it has its emotional ups and downs, it really is one big musical statement - like a symphony with different movements and recurring themes. The arrangements are bold and intricately layered, but never overdone. The tracks seem to effortlessly flow into one another in a way that just hypnotizes you. The music is obviously meticulously composed and constructed, yet it feels so natural and organic that it almost seems like it could have been miraculously collectively improvised somehow. As you know, right before our last jam, I listened to this on the way up and damn near had a religious experience in my car. I mean I had heard this album dozens of times before but for some reason this album, and everything he was saying on it, just seemed so relevant to what we're still experiencing today and it hit me so hard. I kept turning the volume up, and up, and up, and heard it in whole new way all these years later. This album is a cry for help in an increasingly complicated and difficult world, but it retains a distinct and heartbreakingly beautiful sense of optimism. An optimism that we so desperately need to hold on to.

"What's Goin' On" and "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)" are great. The entire tone of the album is relaxed and enjoyable. However, I found the lack of transitions between songs and the consistent blurring of each song into the next as distracting and a weird choice. 3.4 stars rounded down.

I land somewhere between you two on this one. What’s Going On, Mercy Mercy Me and Inner City Blues are top tier soul classics, but they’re the tent poles that hold this up when in starts to drag. The arrangements are great, and the recurring motifs do make this feel like a concept album rather than a collection of tracks, but it starts to wear thin at times, like he’s just scatting new lyrics over the same backing music. Lyrically it’s of its time (Viet Nam, ecological worries, racism) but it tips into self-parody in places. A three-star, mainly on the strength of those three classic tracks.

've never been able to get on with this album. Some definite classic Marvin in there, but Save the Children is so massively lame it drags the whole thing down

Reminded me of Ozzy Ozbourne

There aren't many albums better than this.

A beautifully arranged and produced album with a powerful message that unfortunately never seizes to be relevant despite being over 50 years old. The way Marvin harmonizes with his own voice on the layered vocals is sublime and I've yet to hear another artist being able to do it in the way he does here. I give it 5 broken unsynchronized clocks, because it is timeless! 🕣🕜🕛🕖🕐

It's smooth, it's epic and it's important. What more could you really ask for. Marvin's estate really needs to take it easy on trying to sue everyone under the sun though. It makes them look bad. It would be an extremely sad thing to ruin this dudes legacy with such crap. Amazing album though. Score: 80 Art: 70

Social and cultural significance: 5 stars. Musically, I’m just not that into it: 2 stars. I would seek this album out to listen to again like I would with Sgt. Peppers or Sticky Fingers.

this album really only has two good songs on it i mean they are realllly good songs i really like those songs

It’s decent. A couple classic bangers, but there is a good amount of filler in there as well. Not a lot to say about it. Could be a 2.5, maybe? But I’m good with 3.

What's going on is iconic. I really disliked some of the songs though. Save the Children seems like a parody.

Yurp its a banger

I've never understood why people around here act like the mercury in the fish is news when Marvin Gaye knew about it in 1971. Come to think of it, all this shit was supposed to get fixed in the 70s. Five-star album, though.

Marvin Gaye: the world is a mess Also Marvin Gaye: just love one another This album is seamless, a work of art.

What an album...!

A groovy yet emotionally charged album, Marvin Gaye looks around and watches society crumble apart, with songs about kids starving on the street, families being torn apart by the Vietnamese war, the aftermath trauma on those veterans, drug addiction, and the environment literally threatening human existence. The lyrics are simple enough that you can follow along and understand the messages he sends, never dragging too long or going on unnecessary tangents. Everything is relevant and to the point. It's hard to find a more consistent album. You really can't tell when one song ends and another begins. The mood flows perfectly and gradually shifts with the songs. Themes persist and are revisited but twisted. This creates a pretty fun experience, with the audience watching how the same melodies can be altered to create different effects and tell different stories. Marvin Gaye's vocals are top notch, smooth and sincere, easy to listen, clear, and yet has a lot to say. But not too much. The instrument is sparse and light enough to relax you and immerse you in the music, especially due to its atmospheric and diverse sounds, with all sorts of instruments (including woodwinds, brass, different percussions), synth effects, and back vocals. It's at times funky to sing or dance to, and at times like a beautifully happy or sad movie soundtrack. I'm also incredibly impressed by the production. Very few soul albums from the early 70s are up to par in terms of the clarity and mixing, as good as Stevie Wonder. This album flies by in 36 minutes. You couldn't argue that any track on here is unnecessary or could be cut. In fact, any less and you'd be complaining it was too short. Melodically, every song transitions well from one to the next. Of course, you got your hits ("What's Going On", "Mercy Mercy Me"). You got your interlude ("God Is Love"). You got your epic ("Right On"). And you got your satisfying closer ("Inner City Blues"). I don't have the faintest clue how you could improve this record.

I hadn’t heard this uninterrupted for over 20 years, and am thankful for being given a weekend for this. Perhaps the only song cycle/concept album that I consider flawless. A student flatmate once complained that the record was samey, which I worried over, but now doesn’t bother me. Its consistency is a marvel.

I've thought highly of this for a good while although don't really listen to it that much. Reading its back story, and that of Marvin Gaye in general, surprised me how radical this album actually was. Of course, it also contains some great tunes. A bit preachy but can't really ding it for that. And, what a piece of shit David Ruffin was! Full marks here

No need to write anything here, it's What's Going On by Marvin Gaye. People who don't like this are empirically wrong.

What's going on? You are listening to one of the top ten albums of all time. That's what's going on. A collection of marvelous songs. of a legend in his peak and with an astonishing production. All songs go on in one flow talking about love for people and more important the world we live in. An album stating concerns about our behavior towards nature in 1971. What a visionary and too bad how we failed him!

This is a MOOD

Marvin’s soulful plea of “why can’t we just get along?” Political, funky, and oh so smooth.

Mercy mercy me ( The ecology) was my favorite. Groovy and fun. Smooth

Heard it before. Listening to this album is always a pleasure 4/5

Timeless, lush record. Every track is a winner on this one. Only track that I'm not super hot on is Save the Children. A little too on the nose for me, but still good music wise. Don't got a ton to say about it, other than I appreciate that this album has two inductees on the "Marvin Gaye's Clueless Ass" playlist with What's Going On and What's Happening Brother.

good album that kind of just played through without any repeats. If I see this on a top 5 of all time list, I’ll assume two things 1. I had to be alive at the time to fully get this album 2. This person will ask me to open a pdf.

This album has paces very well and plays like a seamless medley, in a good way. Not in the way that it all sounds the same, it just connects and flows very well between songs. On top of that, it has the two timeless hits that have been smooth R & B hits for decades.

Nothing bad about it it’s just not really my thing.

Very chill and enjoyable

Whats going on 4 Whats happening brother 3 Flyin high 3 Save the children 3 God is love 3 Mercy mercy me 4 Right on 4 Wholy holy 2 Inter City blues 3 3.22

Oh I’ll TELL you what’s going on - Marvin Gaye’s putting out the #1 soul brother album of the 20th century and making it stick. So sweet and buttery smooth, so timely it’s timeless. Jesus he was only 45 when he died. Goddammit Marvin’s dad.

Oh I know what's going on!!!!

It’s peaceful, political, emotional, and timeless without even trying. Zero skips, zero flaws. Just perfection.

A powerful album, a testament about America in the 60s/70s. Struggles we're still having and will probably continue to have way past my demise. But this album will still be standing and be listened to by generations past me. Be thankful there's such beautiful, powerful music/voices in America.

This album fucking rocks never listened to him before, but I absolutely love this one. maybe a 5/5 or a 4.5/5

God album

A classic for a reason! While the songs do sound similar that seems to be part of the point and vibe of the album - easy to listen to and has a lot of passion/character behind it which I think is what I look for in music

Absolute classic, proud to own it on vinyl. My personal GOAT for Soul/R&B. Timeless tracks and the instrumentation beautifully supports Marvin Gaye's vocals

A short album with an incredibly strong message and incredibly great music. But as corny this may sound, why is the music still so relevant today? This album talks about racial inequality, class inequality, police brutality, and war that we as U.S. citizens don't want a hand in, and in the last 10 years as I'm writing this, why is it still happening? Why couldn't this album be a time capsule or a history text book of sorts of what was happening in the late 60s to early 70s instead of being damn near 100% accurate of what's been happening right now? Let's hope something changes and when it does we can look back at the music of now and think "Hey this is just like this masterpiece of an album from 1971."

There will be a time when the music doesn’t play and the children don’t sing. What a beautiful POV. The sax blowing through the noise at the beginning of the title track? Inject that shit in my veins. (Ecology) may be my favorite tho.

Classic from a classic!

I've already listened to his album (35). Classic with a capital C. James Jamerson's playing on this album is the Holy Book of electric bass guitar.

5 stars, despite mentioning Jesus. He makes up for it by mentioning fish being poisoned. Makes me want to listen to Enjoy an Album again.

A classic. I was a little irritated listening to it in Apple Music because they inserted space between the tracks. Concept albums like this run their tracks together so it feels more like what it is: one unified work.

So smooth. Everything a guy like Sinatra is not.

pauroso

Questo è un album da ascoltare prima di morire. Voce incredibile e pezzi bellissimi, e pure la transizione da un brano all’altro è stupenda. Poi ho scoperto che msrvin ghey è ststo ucciso per errore dal padre RIP

album di una bellezza assurda, rientra nella mia top 10 5/5

Saw what album was today's and honestly, I felt immediate relief Love u Marvin Songs added to playlist: - What's Going On - Save The Children - Right On - Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)

Bästa skivan!!

I feel I’d be doing a disservice to music if I didn’t give this 5 stars. Voice of a generation.

Classic and timeless love this album great vocal jazzist already had it downloaded but love it still

This is literally one of the greatest album I've ever heard. Makes me wanna be a better person.

An absolute classic and an amazing listen start to finish.

I could post lyrics that over 50 years later are still relevant. I could go on about how his life was cut way to short. I could say how this concept album is one of the best anti war albums ever. I could go off on the music, the lyrics the social impact this album has. Instead I will say this. What's going on is simply one of the best albums made.

I can't say individual songs will go to my library, but the album as a single piece of art if a masterpiece. It's musically amazing, i could listen to it all day. Marvin Gaye's voice is amazing, but the production and the actual melody is just outstanding, the best album of this project for me so far

Imagine releasing 10 albums and then dropping this.

Absolutely brilliant, start to finish.5/5

Five stars for mercy mercy me alone. One of my favourite songs ever. It levels you the second it starts.

Never before have I seen such strong willed political commentary that manages to be so wholesome at the same time. This album sees Marvin giving us some genuinely refreshing takes in such a beautiful way, but presents his ideas in such a way that he is showing how he is definitely not a pushover. And not to mention jow beautiful the actual music is, put all of that together and you have a damn perfect album.

Marvin ♥️♥️♥️ when I lived in Harlem there was a Hennessy billboard around the corner from my house of him ♥️♥️♥️ he could sing the phone book and I’d be smitten

This is one of the great albums of all time. A timeless masterpiece. The progression from Lets Get It On to this is incredible. This is a lush jazzy beautiful heartfelt call for social change. You can feel his pain and heart breaking for the state of Black culture with a deeply vulnerable and raw delivery.

SO good! I listened to What’s Going On a few times in a row. The lyrics, his smooth voice…loved it.

MG brings sexy to socially conscious music. This is an album in the truest sense of the word. Three absolute classics rise like hymns. In between the groove never flags. While not always a party the players are all having a great time. As immersive as any album of the era - vibes, knowledge and melody collide to put you in the room.

Amazing; can listen all day!

Classical music.

Isso aqui é de tirar o fôlego, te deixar sem palavras. Definir e falar sobre What’s Going On é uma tarefa herculeana, de dificuldade imensa. As canções deste álbum são experiências espirituais, e as palavras escapam quando você tenta sintetizar essas experiências. Mas vou tentar. Ajuda que este é um disco que sou bem familiarizado por já ter ouvido-o incontáveis vezes antes. Acredito que este disco e sua produção tenham sido um milagre. Simples assim, intervenção divina. Marvin Gaye era um ótimo artista, não se engane, mas analise a discografia dele e perceba que este álbum realmente se destaca de forma sobrenatural. Ele invocou alguma coisa inexplicável na produção dessa obra. Leia sobre sua produção, e complicações, ninguém queria que Gaye lançasse este álbum, ninguém acreditava nessa sonoridade. Tremendamente errados, eles estavam, e agora o disco reside confortavelmente no panteão dos maiores álbuns já gravados. Que história, hein. Isso aqui é um verdadeiro álbum, de capa a capa. Todas as canções possuem ligações temáticas e sônicas. O disco inteiro é como uma enorme e gigantesca canção. E que canção maravilhosa. Os vocais são angelicais e os instrumentais o adornam maravilhosamente, com menção honrosa à este fantástico baixo. Assim que você termina de ouvir o álbum você sente vontade de ouvi-lo novamente. Viciante, em essência. Muito se fala sobre a importância do comentário social levantado por Gaye neste disco. Eu dou crédito à isso, mas o meu foco é inteiramente na música, no som. O som que ele teceu é inigualável. As letras, se quiser analisar mesmo, são até simples, quando se olha para além do conteúdo incomum para um artista Motown na época. Mas a forma com que ele entrega seus vocais mostra o quão pessoal essas angústias realmente são. A violência que ele pessoalmente presenciou, os relatos do irmão veterano de guerra, a perda de uma grande parceira na vida, problemas familiares, enfim, toda escuridão de sua vida é transformada em 9 canções e 35 minutos de música absolutamente perfeitas. Não há defeito à ser apontado. Um disco perfeito. Parabéns à todos envolvidos. Toda vez que ouço este álbum meu espírito se enche. A alma transborda. 5/5

Marvin Gaye might just be the greatest soul singer I’ve ever heard. There’s a weight and tenderness in his voice that feels almost otherworldly—every note seems to carry both sorrow and hope. 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘎𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘖𝘯 is more than an album; it’s a living, breathing statement about love, faith, and humanity. From the opening title track to 𝘔𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘺 𝘔𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘺 𝘔𝘦 and 𝘐𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘳 𝘊𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘉𝘭𝘶𝘦𝘴, the music flows as one continuous meditation, blending lush orchestration, subtle funk grooves, and Gaye’s deeply emotional delivery. Even over fifty years later, it feels completely timeless—a record that could have been made in 2025 and still speak to the same struggles and questions we face today. It’s soulful, political, spiritual, and profoundly human—one of those rare albums where every second feels essential.

Masterpiece. Sounds more relevant today than ever.

A really amazing album. An album about trying to figure things out. Political fear, war, violence, ecological disaster. An incredibly timely album, but one that also feels timeless. The production and musicianship is second to none. One of my favorite albums before starting this 1001 album journey, and it was a great experience getting to relisten to this.

The big hits on this album alone are enough for 5 stars.

Classic

No notes. Perfect album. Unfortunately, just as relevant today as when it was released.

First time I've heard this album! Love the vibe. Every tune is a great one.

PERFECT 10/10

It is the most perfect production and orchestration and vocals and lyrics and timing and vibes of any album It’s like a movie score And it gave us “there’s a riot going on” in response

Marvin, so much is going on and a lot of it is not so good, but you keep a cheery disposition through it all. Every song is upbeat and sounds happy, even if the lyrics are serious and I wouldn't want it any other way.

Classic, great production, beautiful storytelling, everybody needs soul and anti war art

Do I even have to say anything about this one? Very few albums in the world of music have a reputation like that of What's Going On. Critically speaking, this is easily one of the most highly praised albums of all time. It's a shoe-in for a list such as this. It's easy to see why all of this is the case. What's Going On is a crowning achievement in popular music. What's Going On does things that had been done in music before. This wasn't the first album to tackle Vietnam. It wasn't the first concept album. It wasn't the first soul masterpiece. But never before had these elements been blended together in such a smooth, soulful way from such a mainstream artist as Marvin Gaye. It's albums like this that show us as a collective people what music can and should be; an artform. Music is, ultimately, a creative expression of the individual or group behind it. It allows people to express their complex thoughts in ways that will hopefully resonate with others. This is where What's Going On stands above much of its competition, especially of the time. The song cycle that forms the album acts as a complete artistic statement while also comprising some fantastic songs in their own right. The title track, "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)," "Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)," and the other 6 songs work together to paint a picture of sorts. It also helps that the sounds and instruments at play are just gorgeous, while also having a sense of soul and slight funk-influences to aid in enjoyment. Despite not being much higher than the instruments in the mixing, Marvin Gaye's voice sticks out through its beauty. The lyrical themes of the album speak to the listener, while still remaining deeply personal to Gaye himself. I really don't have any issues with the album. While I myself wouldn't go as far as to call this the greatest album of all time, I can absolutely see why so many others have. It's a true work of art that only ages better and better with each passing year. It's What's Going On. 5/5.

Does not get any better than this

One of the best albums ever made

it’s brilliant, urgent without losing its lushness. his voice is so beautiful and compelling. fav tracks: what’s going on; right on; inner city blues (make me wanna holler)

Come on these are gimme’s lol.

mercy, mercy me (makes sense that this is the soul album of reference)

Oh God.... That's beautiful