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 An orchestral setting that Berry Gordy thought was too old, outdated, the kids will never dig, etc.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

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.

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.

10/10 thanks, Marvin Gaye 👍 Inventor of Sex

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.

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

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.

9/10. Fellas, it is Gaye

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.

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.

There aren't many albums better than this.

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

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

"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.

it was ok, bit overhyped

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

What's Going On? Not much honestly.

This is a MOOD

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! 🕣🕜🕛🕖🕐

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

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

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.

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.

What an album...!

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Very chill and enjoyable

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

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

4.5 Really really good

Best ever!

Beautiful weaving of some meaningful songs by the man himself

The song; What's Going On is a stone cold classic. The album deserves four stars for that track alone. The question is does the rest of the album push it to a 5? The answer for me is Yes! THe overriding themes of war and inner-city strife, the environment and a loving and benevolent God are delivered with heartfelt soul and honesty as to be dissarming. Gaye's singing is incredible. I am not a fan of strings / orchestration in pop music, I feel like it clouds the musical threads in general and I feel that that part is the weak element of this album but I can live with it when the performance is this honest and true. The songs are able to cut through that fog and deliver thier messge with still great imact. 5 stars

Classic, enduring album - a true great.

LP

This album is simply one of the greatest albums of all time. Marvin Gaye explores themes of racism, war, poverty etc. and does it all with a striking sense of empathy. The vocals are melodies are top notch and the music is soothing yet has an air of movement and restlessness that underscores the severity of the social issues. This album is always in heavy rotation for me.

One of the best albums ever made. Marvtastic

Amazing album, feels spiritual, like I’m floating on a cloud, but at the same time there’s a pain in it too. Lyrics make it a masterpiece. 3/1001 best album yet

Good album to chill too but also has some the greatest vocals, lyrics, and bass lines of all time. Whole album flows well and doesn’t really have any misses.

REally blown away by this one. Easily my favorite so far. FLows so well all the way through

One of the best !

Great bitta bass playing

Naturally this is going to be five stars - it's Marvin Gaye for crying out loud.

Makes me wanna give 5 stars, throw up my hands.

Ok, I've never actually listened to this before. It's a concept album, each track into the next. I knew the themes it was going to deal with, but I had no idea this was the way it was going to be told. So good in its story, it's writing, and just overall vibe. I completely understand why this hits best ever lists. I'll be giving this one another spin

Marvin Gayes masterpiece. Just an absolute beautiful album, which sadly a lot of the themes are still true today, over 50 years later.

Lyrical and musical masterpiece

incredibly soulful and catchy music with protest lyrics that feel incredibly heartfelt and real. the combo of funky easy listening with hard-hitting lyrics of love and war is an excellent vibe. 4.5/5 4.5/5

GOATED

This is a great album, but I’ve always felt that it’s missing something to put it over the top. 9/10

Clear contender in my opinion of the best album about social justice ever produced. Gaye, a beloved son of Washington DC, was taken away far too young in the tragic shooting by his father. Who knows what he may have achieved and it is a poignant reminder that sometimes those who burn the brightest also burn the shortest. There's nothing I can say about this album that won't have been better said elsewhere. One thing I will mention is that Gaye's family released a new album posthumously called "Your the Man". It truly is worth your time to go and give *that* album a listen if you haven't heard it. Really beautiful and there are some showstoppers on it, especially 'Piece of Clay' if you have time for only one song with its piercing guitar and glorious organ. In that song, he speaks of the relationship between a father and son with respect to the false expectations of a father. Heartbreaking.

Marvin Gaye's ”What's Going On” is a masterpiece that transcends the boundaries of time and genre. Released in 1971, the album tackles issues of social justice, war, poverty, and police brutality, making it an album that resonates with people even today. Gaye's smooth, soulful vocals and jazzy instrumentation make the album a joy to listen to from start to finish. Songs like ”What’s Going On”, ”Mercy Mercy Me” and ”Inner City Blues” are truly powerful and showcase Gaye’s brilliant artistry. Whilst it’s not the greatest album of all time like Rolling Stone claims, it’s certainly one of those albums that feel really special and easily fits into the debate for top 30.

The pinnacle of 70s soul? If not, then at least one of the peaks. Despite the meandering religiosity of the middle of the album, this thing sings true.

Classic album, all of the songs are what’s goin on

Maybe we’ll never find the answers to Marvin’s musings, as the injustices of the past bleed into modern day, but as much as our revolving reality makes us want to cry, you just have to remember, always, to try.

I don’t think there’s a top 10 list out there where this album isn’t present. It’s simply the best at everything it’s doing; best Motown record, best protest record, best vocal performance, etc. Of course you have to mention the lyrics, which are unfortunately, timeless. But what this manages to capture most is the world Gaye saw that was worth fighting for in the midst of all the chaos.

- Heard this before - One of the most important albums of all time - Not something I listen to very often, but when I do I can easily see why it's considered one of the best of all time - Fav songs: What's Going On, Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler), Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)

Beautiful music and vocals accompanied with such a poignant and deep message. Every song connects to the next and leads you on a groovin', socially conscious ride. What's Going On and Mercy Mercy Me are all timers.

Inner city blues

A classic

Obra maestra

He's done it again. Favorite track: Inner City Blues

Cooler than a poor bear in sunglasses. Great from start to finish. Inner City Blues, Right On, and Mercy Mercy Me are the highlights.

Well I think this has to be full marks as a cultural touchstone alone. The songs do have a similar kind of sound but the lyrics and vocals and sentiment are spot on.

I think it would absolutely break Marvin Gaye's heart that over 50 years after the release of this album, and nearly 40 years after his death, nothing has changed. This album is still as lyrically relevant as ever. Musically, it's gorgeous, with lush strings and deep, resonant bongos creating such a warm atmosphere. It's a masterpiece. Nothing more need be said.

What can I say about this album that isn't already said, its a damn classic. One of the first soul albums I brought on record. Holds a special place in my heart.

Half way through track one, that's a big yes. I really love the vibe, and his voice, the listening was extremely smooth. Well played Mister Gaye. Tbh there were not songs particularly shinning bright but just a really good overall experience. Favorite Songs : What's going on, Mercy Mercy me, Right on Rating : 4.5 / 5

My second soul album that I listened through, and this one blew away the competition. Really nice and smooth

One of my favorite albums of all time, absolute groundbreaking masterpiece.

What a phenomenal piece of 1970s r&b. Marvin Gaye’s voice is equal parts unreal and perfectly mixed. Each snare hit and slide whistle mixing wonderfully and the sonically perfect piece.

One of the shining gems of soul, perfectly capturing the restless times in which it was made. Marvin Gaye’s finest hour on record.

Long time listener, yet it still gives me chills

Mega beautiful : )

Hoewel r&b en soul mij niet per se liggen, springt dit album er voor mij direct uit. Toevallig onlangs nog een artikel gelezen over dit album, hoe What’s Going On over ongelijkheid gaat, Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) over het klimaat, waar Marvin relatief vroeg mee was. Hoe het hem lukte een politiek album op Motown te uit te brengen. Dit album is niet je standaard r&b/soul album en dat hoor je direct. Hoe naadloos de nummer overvloeien, Save The Children > God Is Love > Mercy Mercy Me voelt als 1 lang nummer. Prachtige teksten zonder pretentie, wat soms lastig is als je een politieke boodschap over wilt brengen. What’s Going On is natuurlijk vandaag de dag een nog megahit, waar velen denk ik toch de boodschap erin missen. Zijn stem is zo zacht als boter en dat helpt ook. Hier en daar een hint van jazz (percussie op Save The Children, de blazers op Mercy Mercy Me) wat het album meer diepte geeft. Na het luisteren en deze review schrijven zie ik op rateyourmusic.org dat dit het nummer 1 album van 1971. In een jaar waar gigantisch veel goede muziek uit kwam, muzikaal innovatief en vooruitstrevend (Masters of Reality, Tago Mago, Maggot Brain), spant dit album volgens die snobistische gebruikers blijkbaar de kroon, en dat zegt voor mij al genoeg. Alom geprezen en gewaardeerd, het is onmogelijk dit album niet leuk te vinden.

Ja gewoon goed, heerlijke classic

listened to this one multiple times this weekend, such an incredible album. amazingly (and depressingly) this album released in 1971, but all of the critiques it had about society still completely apply today. marvin gaye also has one of the best voices ever in music, further carrying this album.

Some to most albums are just collections of songs, this is actually an album album. Phenomenal and peak soul.

What a great album. Wish it was longer. Great flow. A classic and still very relevant to today.

a masterpiece with his Let's get it on.

Surprisingly tight, and the concept was very strong. A low 5, but a 5 nonetheless.

Transcendent and resplendent. This... might be a legitimately perfect album.

Ett av de allra bästa soulalbumen, ibland det bästa.

Everything is good about this album.

Inspiring, hopeful, reflexive. One in a million.

One of those perfect albums

Turns out What's Going On and Let's Get It On are very different albums. This feels like the platonic ideal of R&B. Seriously still holds up. BT - What's Goin On - What's Happening Brother - Mercy Mercy Me - Right On - Inner City Blues

Masterpiece

I'm not crying. YOU'RE crying!

Blir soul bedre?

Feel good music, cool vibes. Fantastic start to the album, with the party acoustics. Love it.

big grooves