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 An orchestral setting that Berry Gordy thought was too old, outdated, the kids will never dig, etc.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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Reminded me of Ozzy Ozbourne

'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.

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

Come on these are gimme’s lol.

Oh God.... That's beautiful

Probably the greatest, most soulful anti-war album ever recorded. A beautiful listen! 5/5

Classic. No notes.

Ein absolutes Meisterwerk! Marvin Gaye verbindet seine Stimme mit zeitlosen Botschaften. Das Album klingt heute noch so frisch und relevant wie damals. Jeder Song ein Highlight, pure Gänsehaut! Die Songs fliessen ineinander wie ein einziges grosses Kunstwerk: elegant, emotional und voller Botschaft. Für mich ein Meisterwerk der Musikgeschichte und ein Album, das man nicht nur hört, sondern fühlt.

Timeless

Absolutely one of the best for me. It would be a fine collection of soul pop songs if that were all they were, but then the progressive and conceptual side is so strong. I love how the tracks have such a strong message. I love how the tracks evolve and search and find new forms. There is so much beautiful modal mixture and unexpected modulation that moves the music in unexpected directions.

Marvin’s finest work! What beautiful consciousness and tone on this album. A Masterpiece!

Social conscience & amazing soul

Album Art Review - The Man - Marvin looking peak. Cool font for the album title and artist's name. 6.5/10 Marvin is on the Mount Rushmore of soul singers and mayby my favorite. This album cements his transition from Motown crooner and collaborator to a political Voice of protest and the oppressed. We need him now!! Absolutely iconic Songs like What's Going On, Save the Children, Mercy Mercy Me and Inner City Blues are just as relevant today as they were 50 years ago and still sound great.

Y’a une raison pourquoi c’est un top 5 all Time dans 3/4 des listes

Classique des classique

35 délicieuses minutes de soul distillé. Quand j'écoute cet album je deviens Chrétien pour une demi-heure, bravo Marvin.

Masterpiece

Impressive

"Who really cares to save a world in despair?" This was unexpectedly political but very enjoyable. Most of what he's talking about in this album is still, sadly, very relevant today.

10/10 The thing that kept coming to mind while listening to this album was just how good Marvin Gaye’s vocal performance is, Every note, from start to finish, is absolutely stunning. The instrumental composition and performances are also exceptional, but it’s so hard not to have your entire focus pulled by the vocal that you have to make a conscious effort to absorb everything else that’s going on. But just discussing the vocal performance here does the album a massive disservice. It’s a remarkable piece of social commentary, a masterclass in mood and tone, and an intensely personal exploration of the world around Marvin Gaye circa 1971. What’s also important to note is that releasing something like this was an incredibly bold move. Motown had typically been a hit single factory up to this point, and Berry Gordy didn’t even want to release the title track, only to turn back round and ask for a full album when it became their fastest ever selling single. It’s a fascinating work that really toys with the idea of this being a selection of individual songs, rather than a unified piece, and there are places where you can’t even tell where the transitions between songs happens without keeping an eye on the track count. There is so much groove and soul to this album that it almost drips out of the speakers, but it’s all laced with a deep undercurrent of wistful melancholy that just hooks into the emotional side of the brain and holds on tight. And with all of that said, it’s actually an album that is far greater than the sum of its parts. Looking at individual tracks, one might not fully appreciate the gravity of the work, or truly connect with the string of feeling that threads through the whole album, but listened to as a whole, it is a truly remarkable work that only gets better with repeat listens. What’s Going On - What a song. It’s got such a groove, an absolutely stunning vocal performance, and manages to be a successful social commentary without bashing you over the head with it. The composition is brilliant, with so many different elements that provide depth and nuance without overcrowding. It perfectly balances the groove with a feeling of melancholy to present a really unique tone.The strings are great, the percussion gives it a little bit of pep underneath everything. And the production is fantastic too. So well balanced. What’s Happening Brother - This is kind of a part 2 to ‘What’s Going On’. It carries the tone of that first track but takes the groove in a slightly different direction. I love the almost aimless stroll of the bass line. The backing vocals add a different flavour, and again Marvin is on point with the lead. It feels effortless. “And tell me, friend, how in the world have you been?” The delivery of that line gets me every single time. Flyin’ High (In The Friendly Sky) - And we drift into a dreamy number about heroin addiction. It’s a bit meandering, but when you connect it with the subject matter that really hooks things up and makes sense. There are some stunning moments in this and it touches base in various places in a remarkable way before drifting off again. Save The Children - And we slip into another track. Marvin’s voice soars and oh good lord, that vocal tone. It’s so rich. This track builds in intensity as the drums gradually become more full, and the saxophone drops in with some great little hooks. The final minute throws in a different groove, it’s almost like a different track and an intro to the next track. God Is Love - The combination of the funky bass, slow strings, the subtle groove of the drums and Marvin’s vocal doubling makes the hairs on my neck stand up every time. There’s something about this track that just hits me so hard. It’s just exceptional all round. Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) - And quick transition, the groove sticks around but the tone switches to more of a lament. There’s a lot going on in the instrumentation for a lot of this album and it’s easy to miss it because Marvin’s voice just demands your focus, but when the instrumental section for this track has it’s moment, the players get to shine. The groove of the bass, some brilliant horns, piano, percussion, celeste (I think?), strings, the whole works. Right On - Continuing the theme of the second half of ‘Mercy Mercy Me’, there’s a bit more space for the players to have some fun. This is such a great, jazzy groove that oozes soul. There are places where it maybe drags a tiny bit, but there are also some really beautiful phrases and riffs that pop out here and there, and Marvin’s little bits and pieces of vocal are a delight. Wholy Holy - This is a more sparse effort that softly ebbs and flows. It feels like the parts drift away from each other and then just thrust back together again in little bursts. It keeps teasing little resolutions, but quickly returns to points of tension, setting us up for the finale. Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler) - Marvin’s vocal through the intro here is the epitome of soul. It’s so smooth and when he doubles up it’s so, so clean. The groove is restrained, but it just pulses so nicely. The build of the instrumentation is pretty special, too. The control of how instrumental parts dip in and out is exceptional. I absolutely adore some of his vocal harmonisations in this track. And then we get that lovely piano and vocal duet before the congas come in and we drift away.

Classic album. Generational Talent.

obvio

Amazing

Perfect album

Love it. Own it.

My favourite forever. This is more than a record. It's pure art, magic and a manifesto.

It's Marvin Gaye.

Stunningly so good

So smooth.

A voice for the ages. And this album feels as relevant now as it did back when it was released. A total classic. Favorites: What's Going On, God Is Love, Mercy Mercy Me Would I listen to it again: Yes

Absolutely fucking love this record

Love this album. Hits harder with everything going on lately. Great choice for today.

Classic album.

What a fantastic listen. Every song is a masterpiece. Gaye's vocals are simply just a joy to listen to. I love the continuity of this album and the fun instrumentation and composition of each of his songs. Definitely a new favourite album.

What a beautiful sound. Lush strings, twinkling bells, a flurry of woodwinds here and there, lots of small percussion, and layers of gorgeous vocals. It’s soothing, healing music for a broken world. The lyrics and the emotion of it all were hitting today. Everything Marvin Gaye sings about here — inequality, war, pollution — is top of mind in the news. His pleas for love, peace, understanding are as necessary today as they were half a century ago.

All time classic, I listened to the excellent Detroit 2022 mix. So good!

One of the best discovery from this list. Never listened to an album of Gaye before, just knew the sexy songs. I was not expecting this depth and this story

Classic

Величие. Мастерпися. Король всех королей

Awesome.

best album of all time for a reason bro

Great album!

Classic

What an album! Great music, great arrangements and excellent lyrics and the voice! Start to finish classic, love it!

This is soul

Magnificently soulful and societal.

I love the message in this album. I love how much he can do while still making this a fun, upbeat, interesting, and impactful album. It's very nostalgic and funky and yet you can't help but feel moved from the way he sings and what the lyrics express. Fantastic album.

Timeless in the best way, relevant in the saddest way. At times it feels like being neck deep in rising water, but with a hand outstretched for you to grab ahold of

heard this many times already What's Going On - 5/5 What's Happening Brother - 5/5 Flyin' High (In the Friendly Sky) - 4/5 Save the Children - 4/5 God Is Love - no rating Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) - 5/5 Right On - 4/5 Wholy Holy - 4/5 Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler) - 5/5 Average score: 4.5/5 (rounding up) essential, period

Masterpiece. This time I really focused on how much the melodies return throughout the album

The songs on this are great.

Nice album, given the current status of the world. Good flow between songs, nice theming 5/5

What's Going On - 9/10 What's Happening Brother - 8.5 Flyin' High - 9 Save The Children - 8 God Is Love - 9 Mercy Mercy Me - 9 Right On - 10 Wholy Holy - 9,5 Inner City Blues - 9 90/100

Some albums don't need a debate. This one is undeniable. Please stop portraying that you like music if you give this anything less than 3 stars.

Deserves all its accolades. Gaye's voice is beautiful, lush arrangements and social conscience. Mercy Mercy Me is my favorite track.

Such a beautiful album from start to finish. Marvin Gaye’s finest work and perhaps the greatest album of the 70’s, if not of all-time. An essential album for any true music fan.

A Motown album with something to say. Because it had something to say it was actually released on a minor label owned by Motown. Beautifully performed with thought promoting lyrics. Listen to it in one sitting. Stand out tracks. What's going on Mercy, mercy me Inner city blues Worthy of 5 stars

Totalement ma came, j'ai adoré. J'ai liké quasiment toutes les chansons de l'album et je pourrais totalement écouter ça régulièrement, 5/5