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 An orchestral setting that Berry Gordy thought was too old, outdated, the kids will never dig, etc.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

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.

10/10 thanks, Marvin Gaye 👍 Inventor of Sex

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

What's Going On? Not much honestly.

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

"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

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

'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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

uuuh i already knew this was gon' be a good one.. but daaamn the voice. & my mood was such that I could take his heartfelt, somewhat cliché lyrics seriously. but didnt realize before how good of a songwriter he was. d chords of "save the children" zb gheied gfühlt am aafang eifach continously abe. vlt quintezirkel-shenanigans 😅, aber sehr effektiv im unsettling sii.

A masterpiece!

Death, despair, destruction, an unresolved crisis of faith. Marvin Gaye's life had spiraled into the very depths of darkness by the early 70s, the most troublesome of decades that he'd live. His singing partner dead of a brain tumor and his clean cut image wrapped too tightly by the Motown machine, he had broken down and began to harbor hopes of being a Detroit Lion. But common sense and letters home from his war-hardened brother in Vietnam reinforced Marvin's place in music and what came forth, bit by earnest bit, was one of the most revolutionary albums ever made. For What's Going On not only put a spotlight on the litany of ills that was doing damage on Earth, it also put on the map ecological issues that was just beginning to make headway at the time. Over the ensuing decades, What's Going On's relevance has strengthened in the face of difficult days as Marvin would transform from crooner to chronicler to fallen icon. One listen, or many other listens, would make the listener understand why this is as highly heralded as it is.

Here are just some of the things that, on their own, would make this album worth 5 stars: - The piano glissando between the end of God is Love and Mercy Mercy Me. - The successful deployment of the word 'inflation' in a song lyric. - The right kind of unironicness. - The fact he can make you cry by simply asking "Tell me friend, how in the world have you been?" - The menace. - The prescience. - The love.

One of the greatest albums of all time. Each song is eerily relevant to the times we're currently living in. Continues to be a balm for the mind & body in the heaviness of today's world. Like all profound works of art, it transcends time & space.

Just a great listen, the way songs segue into one another makes this a great sit down and listen from start to finish record. His voice is sensational.

That this album remains at least as relevant now as when it was written is maybe an indictment of our times but it was and still is a masterpiece.

Up there with the best vibes ever recorded.

Amazing album. So many memorable songs.

Basically a masterpiece, this album was phenomenal.

Incredible album. The production is so incredible, the whole album sounds ethereal and other-worldly; just beautiful. An easy 5 stars.

Spectacular. Not the greatest album of all time like Rolling Stone thinks but its simply wonderful Best Song: Mercy Mercy Rating: 9.0/10 5 Stars

10/10

Favorite song is still Flyin’ high.

Brilliant blend of soul and message. Everyone should listen to this hopeful music. Gaye is one of the best soul singers ever, and this collection of songs is amazing.

One of the greatest albums ever produced.

Been awhile since I listened to this album as a whole. Forgot how he tossed away the love songs to do a whole album with important messages with this one. Such a fantastic concept album that should not be missed. Saw some reviews claim there are only 2 good songs, and what baffling statements

Marvin the fucking Grayet! Was mit mir on gaht isch, dass ich das Juwel vo Album es ganzes Wuchenend vo vorne bis hine, vo hine bis füre und vo obe bis une (und biz vo links nach rechts) wie e sanfti salbi us glücksgfühl und schönheit a mis trummelfell und um mini ghörknöchli gstriche, dezue min Hammer, Amboss und Steigbügel mit de sanfte Stimm vom Marvin und de tolle instrument massiert, und gliichziitig mis Mittelohr mit de Sentimentalität vo sine lieder kräbelet han. O boy o boy o boy, a freaking lot is going on! What's going denn mit dir on Marv? 10 vo 10, 5 vo 5, 13 vo 13 und 319 vo 319 für de Marvin Goat

oh oh folks, it's happening... eigentli chönt mer meine ich müessti vorbereitet si für de moment will das isch das album wo ich mich am meiste druf gfreut han… dass es aber so früeh chund hani nöd erwartet und mir fehled daher chli d'wort anyways… keis vo mir gschribnigs review wird dem meisterwerk eh chönne grecht werde drum da eifach es sammelsurium vo mine gedanke über s'objektiv betrachtete beschte album aller ziite: revolutionärs konzept, thematischi inhält wo über 50 jahr spöter immerno krass relevant sind, sehr schöns storytelling, ikonischs album cover, und mit de musikalische superlativ muessi glaub erst gar nöd ahfange… ich wünschti das wär s'erste album woni jemals glost han, ich wünschti das wird s'letschte album woni jemals wird lose

A truly flawless album. One of the best works of art ever made.

🙌🙌🙌

One of the best of all time - and I'm only 3 albums in. Dreamlike, gospel, of the times.

never listened to this all the way through; so beautiful, well produced, poignant, and maaaaan marvin gaye voice. yup

“Divided Soul” is still one of the best books I’ve ever read. A life with the most extreme highs and lows. Quietly, the classic tortured/genius artist. Totally reflected here.

A timeless classic. Hard to think of an album which deals with themes of poverty and war so effectively. A shimmering window into the psyche of 70s America on the street - almost makes you feel like you're at an anti Vietnam War protest. I'll never get tired of listening to it. (Shout-out to Mum for first playing it to me!)

Good rainy day music

Otherworldly

Shockingly, an album I only know a couple tracks from. Excited to dig in. Holy shit, what an album. Didn’t talk lose the whole thing was such a protest anthem. Super relevant today. And the way the first several tracks blend together is wild. Felt like one big song in a great way. Also never really realized how great his voice is. Listening to Save the Children while feeding my 10 week old baby was powerful stuff.

Everyone knows "What's going on", but I was surprised by " What's Happening Brother" being the following track title. At first I thought that was silly and redundant and got me thinking maybe I actually like the Let's Get it On album better. Further into the album I realized how smooth the transitions between songs are, then "Mercy Mercy Me" hit, and to quote the kids these days I was like nah this album is fire. The song cycle of this album is somehow even greater than the sum of the parts. It is done so well. His collar on the cover is legit, and this is a contender for an album I want on vinyl. I'm gonna go give it another listen now. Favorite track "Inner City Blues" 5/5

One my most listened to albums last year. Always relevant and always inspirational!

What's Groovin' On?

This is a classic album that spans generations. Even 50+ years ago people were already asking “what’s the matter with the world today?”. Marvin explores a myriad of complex social topics such as poverty, inner city struggles, faith, returning from war, addiction, and concern for future generations. 10/10 album that cannot be overhyped… it’s that good.

So damn smooth!

As a concept album just really worked for me.

Genius, an all time great album. It is a complete album, it is completely genius. 10

already heard . classic and beautiful - fav is whats happening brother

The atmosphere achieved by this album is nothing short of brilliant, especially considering its genre. No electronics or funky effects, just expert instrumentation and layering. The vocals are the more obvious stand out. His voice is smooth as butter, setting the standard for this type of music. Wonderful background vocals as well. So much emotion behind it. Great lyrics as well, political and unflinching, while also feeling personal and intimate. While it's obviously a seminal R&B record drawing from jazz and other historically African American genres, I feel a lot of influence in modern rap and hip hop. People like Kendrick Lamar must have listened to a lot of Marvin Gaye. A lot of the tracks flow right into each other, more of that jazzy influence that makes it feel like a cohesive story. I'm blown away by all of the different instruments. Stellar percussion. Moments where the strings, flute, sax, horns, get to stand out. And then his voice is an instrument in itself. It's a masterpiece, plain and simple.

So good I don't know if I need to listen to anything else ever again.

Had something cool written for this and I don't wanna write it again. This album is incredible.

This album is not overrated. It really might be one of the best albums ever made. A political statement that feels as relevant today as it was back then. The transitions between songs especially the one between God Is Love and Mercy Mercy Me are great.

An absolute classic. Non-stop bangers. He was taken from us much too soon.

God. Incredible. Album 226 and it might be my favorite one so far.

Beautiful, beautiful album, which I'd never heard all of before. I was working outside when I listened to this and just loved the whole flow of it. I found myself dancing throughout and singing along when classics I know like "Mercy, Mercy Me" came on. Listening closely, I really paid attention to the doubled vocals and what Marvin Gaye did to perform dueling lead melodies at times and deliver harmonies at others. This album just feels like one where everything all came together exactly the right way. And it just feels good to listen to.

pff. need i say more?

tremendously cohesively beautiful; pleasant albeit melancholy; a warm bath on a rainy day of a record

Lovely gospel-inflected groove and soul. I mean, how can you argue with a voice like Marvin's? Just let it wash over you, even if you aren't a believer in any god. It's got something for everyone.

I suppose I could listen to this voice again and again. I'd give this album 4.5 stars though, if I could.

One of, if not the, greatest soul albums of all time

Very nice.

I don't *quite* hold this in the same gilded esteem as 25 years ago - it's a little over produced and some of the sentiment is a little cloying..however it still has enough quality for 5 stars as a bona fide Classic of its genre..

One of my all time favourite albums. Timeless classic!

It’s become overrated over the years but still hits hard. Borderline 5 stars.

This album has it going on.

Perfect in every way.

Smooth as eggs

PERFECT. what can i say that hasn't already been said

I've heard a few of these songs before, but had never listened to the entire album. It's incredibly cohesive, it feels like one 35-minute long song. I'm a total sucker for that kind of theme album. And I'm also a sucker for singers with a really strong falsetto. So this really fits the bill. Gaye has the full toolkit, he's just got an amazing voice, but the falsetto is his secret weapon. My favorite vocal performance of his on this CD is "What's Happening Brother", which I'd never heard before - the first chorus there gives me the chills, as does his line when he asks "How in the world have you been?". He's just an A+ singer, full stop. This CD just has a wonderful sound too. Despite the cohesiveness from song-to-song, there's a real diversity of voices. Gaye himself has a couple vocal modes depending on how much he relies on falsetto. On top of that there's backing vocals, keys, plenty of horns, bongos, usually a little weird stuff like glock, and the occasional funk guitar. The CD is impeccably produced too - listen to the deep echo on the drum sound on "Flyin' High" and how different it makes that feel vs the rest of the songs. Here's the real test - I listened to this over and over again, and every time I just wished there was more of it. It's incredible.

Absolutely lush and beautiful and timeless classic, despite how grounded it was in a specific time and place

it is a classic. Full of amazing songs. Keeps you from the first song to the last. Starts and ends powerfully

Street lights, a soft breeze on an autumn afternoon, a grey sky, a light drizzle, and a lot of hope...I don't think I can express how much I love this opening title track. It's really that ethereal, beyond-life string section in the second half that feels like the musical equivalent of going through life with perpetually teary eyes. And the way the core melody is flipped to the punchy 'What's Happening Brother', while still sounding wholly unique is something out of this world. And I think that's what Marvin Gaye's album here is, out of this world. Gaye's view on the planet, its state, and its people is refreshing - absolutist, but nothing short of genuine. He sounds like a man who cares, especially on a song like 'Save the Children' where he delivers a message so obvious, a message universally "accepted", yet time and time again, and 50 years after this album's release, we come to see that the obvious isn't actually all that obvious. If we start to perceive Marvin's "idealist" views on the world as shallow, or even "idealist" - then the bare minimum will always seem out of reach. God, there's so much love on this album, it burns. Not to mention how this sounds like it came out in the late '70s as opposed to the early '70s, music was not sounding this lush around this time. The keys, the harmonies, the bongo and conga-based rhythms, the seamless transitions, and, Marvin's soul-scratching vocals merge into one another so beautifully. This is an album that unveils life's deeply buried treasures. This is soul music, music that gives you hope for the impossible, and music that will make you feel seen.

Classic. Such a beautiful album

This album still brings me to tears.