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 An orchestral setting that Berry Gordy thought was too old, outdated, the kids will never dig, etc.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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

What's Going On? Not much honestly.

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

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.

it was ok, bit overhyped

"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.

Reminded me of Ozzy Ozbourne

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

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.

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.

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

What an album, the perfect example of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts, a very cohesive and well put together album that is super easy to listen to and super chill and doesn’t overstay its welcome, the vocal performances are amazing and the groves are super awesome.

Awesome. Would love to have.

BEST SONGS: - Flyin' High - Right On

One of the best albums of all time.

This has been one of my favorite albums since I was a kid, and it's a little heartbreaking to note that the issues and societal ills Gaye addresses directly in these songs -- environmental crises, racism, poverty, police brutality -- haven't improved in the more than 50 years since the album was released. A gorgeous, powerful, inspiring, and often heartbreaking collection of songs.

Marvin Gaye’s magnum opus. Deeply moving album that continues to resonate to this day. Sadly, Gaye’s concern’s regarding America’s social, racial, and ecological ills have not diminished in anyway. The use of Gaye’s layered vocals (used in a kind of call and response manner) are a brilliant touch to the stellar production of this album. I’ll never tire of listening to this record.

let's see just how 80s we can be on this shit. I've never, ever, been a big super 80s guy, and this reeks of it. It stinks.

We didn't listen

Considered the greatest album of all time, it was a correct album indeed.

Really really solid album Love the sounds and tones and textures Pure 70s sound. Can see where a lot of the hip hop sounds and samples originated from.

Great!

Perfect soundtrack for the times. Still relevant.

classic

One of my favorite albums of all time and the greatest protest/socially conscious record ever. Still completely relevant, every song, every lyric, not a thing has changed since Marvin first sang these songs. And of course, the music is incredible and Marvin’s vocals are impeccable. A desert island disc for me.

Cool, earnest, and relevant still today. I could have done without the religious content, but it was delivered in such a genuine and smooth way it didn't bother me in the end.

Right on…excellent protest anthem for peace and justice and harmony

Sweet mother of Jesus.

Simply Perfect. Marvin said this album was God speaking through him. If there is a God, Marvin's God is who we need right now.

In my collection, of course, no doubt about this record, the best "songs to make love to"' record. An all time classic! 5/5

Right on.

Phenomenally good!

A bonafide classic stuffed with classic songs, how this isn't in the top 20 is a mystery to me, almost makes me wanna holler... OK, maybe a little too religious, but it is what it is.

Ethereal and awesome. I don’t realize when it ended because it feels like one idea.

amazing no notes. surprised at how much i liked this

First: This is one of my all time favourites, but I tried to listen to it freshly. The only thing I could say against it that the songs all kinda sound the same when listening on a superficial level. But then, I'm on the train, watch out of the window and listen to "Mercy Me" and it brings tears to my eyes like no other music does. So graceful, forgiving, loving. The sound of Marvin's voice: divine. The bass line: so funky. The background vocals. Everything fits so well together. And there's like 5 tracks like this on this album. On top of this the fact that Marvin evolved from the Motown sound and pushed for artistic freedom, recorded the album without any support, then was opposed by the Motown founder, went on strike until a single was released and was so successful that the full album was released. This alone is quite a feat, together with the fact that it's a superb album - there can't be anything lower than 5 stars.

Perfect

The album was truly amazing and thought provoking

Day566 - does it get much better than this? i don’t think so

Iconic.

10/10 perfect album no flaws

Concept album about God, the environment, and love for fellow man (?). Hear a lot of Prince in here.

First, the burning question - is this the greatest album of all time?? No, it isn't. Rolling Stone's ranking of it as such was a blatant reaction to BLM. For all black musicians' innumerable contributions to music, the album format was traditionally utilised to greater effect by white musicians, who refined the album. This is why Revolver and Pet Sounds usually sit atop these lists, and I don't think I'd put this album above either of those (although, I think this was better on first listen than Pet Sounds) However, it is a very, very good album. Like the best albums (in my view), it's a journey. There's this magical, natural transition between songs, and the first side has this wonderful ongoing crescendo that can't but sweep you up in the almost religious power of the music. This is in no small part due to the orchestra which complements Gaye's lyrics perfectly. Truly, this is soul at its finest. Unfortunately the LP format necessitates a break in the middle of the album, but the songs on side 2 are strong too (even if I feel that Inner City Blues doesn't quite fit in with the rest of the album). Gaye's lyrics are famously deeply political, touching subjects as diverse as the Vietnam War, environmental issues, racism and drug abuse. However, the album remains positive and hopeful throughout, and he emphasises his beliefs that God forgives, rather than condemning those responsible for these issues. Unfortunately, some of my ratings have been a bit biased by foreknowledge, and this may be one of them. I've never heard this album before, but I got it today knowing that it was a big one. I am not sure I can honestly say I'd be giving 5 stars without this bias, but fuck it, objectively it is a 5-star album. I think the title track is my favourite song here; however, Save the Children is where I realised this is a five star album, and is certainly a contender for the spot.

An album I have heard endless times since childhood in fact I remember in grade school (5th or 6th grade) writing a review for the school paper (Silverwing Elementary School) once! Now here I'm all grown up writing another review. This is a Top 100 album for me and quite possibly the greatest soul album ever released (with the only real contender to the throne being Curtis by Curtis Mayfied from a year earlier,1970) it's flawless, powerful and beautiful, the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band of soul music. Some people marvel at how relevant 'What's Going On' is in 2025. I don't. I think as long as humans roam the earth (for better or worse) this work of art will be relevant. Lord have mercy!

Really great sound and drew me in with the story.

I wanted to wait until I got this on vinyl to listen to it for the first time but this felt like fate - what an album. Played it all weekend. Easy 5 stars

Despite sounding pretty confused about the whole thing, this album is actually a concept album about a man returning home after the vietnam war. Musically, politically, and spiritually one of the most ironically cognizant albums of its time and for generations to come.

Great albums need 3 key elements: Music (lyrics, composition) + Production (engineering, mixing) + Influence (how did it change the art of music?). Granted, these are all subjective because, well, it’s art. But it is tough to argue this isn’t one of the greatest 10 albums ever produced. Easy 5.

Classic album

I was stoked when this album popped up. Never listened to it, though I had heard a few of these songs a number of times. What really stood out to me was two things: 1. The way this album never really seemed to break, at least up through Mercy, Mercy Me. Everything just flowed into each other. I thought that was very cool. It did lead to the first part of this album sounding relatively homogenous, but since that sound was great, that didn't end up being a negative. 2. That this album has a really distinct and serious viewpoint, very pointed, and yet was light in it's approach at the same time. Excellent dichotomy. Mercy, Mercy Me is a song that I absolutely love. Admittedly, I am more used to hearing the Robert Palmer version, but the original is awesome. Great tune. Of course, everyone has heard this one and the title track too, which is a great song as well. But there were a bunch of other ones in this which were excellent like Flyin High. Right On was the one track that I wasn't really enamored with. This seemed to go on too long and wandered a bit aimlessly at times. The theme is good, no doubt, but this could have been much tighter. But that's nitpicking. Inner City Blues is a great tune, excellent way to close this album. Really great album.

Truly some baby-making music. Honestly, every song on this album was just good listening

This album was a nice surprise. I knew I was going to like it because it's Marvin Gaye and "What's Going On" and "Mercy Mercy Me" are two of my favorite songs by him, but I didn't expect to love this album like I did. I know I've criticized albums for songs sounding the same, but this felt like one long song but in a good way, which apparently was the point since this is considered a "song cycle" album. The story it told was compelling too. Perhaps it's just the world we're living in right now, but a lot of the songs and the vibe really resonated with me. This is definitely Marvin Gaye's best album, and it deserves its place on the list.

Automatic

One of a kind

Wonderful Marvin!!!

I had no idea how political this would be. A real great example of a concept album. Silky smooth music and vocals combined with strong lyrical story telling. Good shit

Delightful. I listened, then listened again. Just because.

Me gusta

Marvin Gaye is soothing at any time. But right now, I'm listening to this album just after Limp Bizkit, and in comparison, Gaye is absolute bliss. It's not just his amazing voice, or his outlook on life, or the blend of calm and passion. It's also the flawless production, which still holds up entirely, 54 years after release. And it's the breadth and depth of quality throughout the album. Fantastic record by a fantastic musician.

The songs are just so perfectly crafted. The production on this and obviously Marvin’s vocals are just on point. Album openers dont get much better than ‘What’s going on’. As someone who quite often finds soul music a bit blah, i cannot speak highly enough about this album.

When one of the greatest songs in the world is your opening track, you set yourself up for listening to a masterpiece - thankfully, this is exactly what this album is. The title track remains as relevant today as it was in 1971 and, along with every other track on the album, demonstrates that politics and protest music doesn’t need to sound angry - sometimes, it can sound as beautiful as this.

The album generator has taught me to approach an album where the most famous song is the first track with an element of caution. But this time I needn't have worried because this is a fantastic album. Yes, Gaye has a gorgeous voice, but also the lyrics are amazing, the music is beautiful. Just a great, great record. 5/5

Can't believe I've never sat through this in one sitting. Wow.

This is one of the greatest albums of all time. So much soul, so much groove. It’s a shame more people don’t know this album by heart. I bet Lamp’s a bitch too

Incredible

real nice

Masterpiece

Eternal. Fantastic vibe and songwriting.