What's Going On

Marvin Gaye loves Jesus

Another all time classic. One of the first themed R&B albums. The whole thing just works as one big song.

Favorite track(s): What's Going On, What's Happening Brother, Flyin' High (In the Friendly Sky), Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology), Right On, Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler) Of course it stands up on relisten, but I couldn't help thinking of There's a Riot Goin' On the whole time. Hopefully I see it someday soon. Heard before Previous rating: 9/10

Not my jam but still good

I mean, it's pretty much perfect isn't it. I could pick the odd hole if I was being pedantic, but fundamentally it's the absolute pinnacle of this style. Immediate 5.

Why I picture myself in NYC when I listen to this?

Not my favorite but omg so much better than the last two

I understand why this gets all the accolades since it was a Motown artist breaking out and talking about what’s going on (if you will) in the world after years of mostly lovey-dovey hits across the Motown family. The songs here are quite fine but this doesn’t quite get to a 5 for me. Will this be another Purple Rain where I spoil a 5 across the board?

I’ve listened to this many times and each time I wish I could love it the way so many people do. The title track and “mercy mercy me” reach those heights, and I think everything else is good.

Hands down one of the greatest funk/soul albums ever made. Top three for me with Superfly and Cold Sweat--can't pick an order between those three masterpieces. Clean 5/5 and superlative on every level.

Kinda pretentious

#6: Marvin Gaye - What's Going On. I think this is the one album I have not heard a single bad thing about. If the internet music community ever claimed a "perfect" album, this would be that album. I won't be as lenient however. If this album pisses me off I will let it know. Track 1: What's Going On. Ooh this is fun. The vocals sound empowering and exciting and the chorus is an earworm. Wowie this is a good opener. 8/10. Track 2: What's Happening Brother. Marvin seems very confused with these track titles. Another pretty decent track. Nothing really to complain about but also nothing really noticable for me at least. Also finally the most popular track isn't the worst. 7/10. Track 3: Flyin' High (In The Friendly Sky). Fitting title as this shit is making me levitate. Also is it just me or does this production remind me of some of Tyler, The Creator's songs like FIND YOUR WINGS or November? 9/10. Track 4: Save The Children. I can't believe Marvin Gaye predicted Generative AI being used in schools. Jokes aside this song resonates with me something different. I grew up in time to watch all my favourite childhood places. Swimming centres, local parks, food markets, corner stores. All either reduced to rubble or just another boarded up building on the high streets. This song reached into my soul and revived something in me. Save The Children. 10/10. Track 5: God Is Love. GOD IS GOOOOD! GOD IS GREEEAT! GOD IS GOOOOOD! 7/10 Track 6: Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology). How could an album so happy and jovial sounding be telling me "Yo, ya'll fucked up and humanity's gonna die in a hundred years once I'm gone" at the same time? 9/10. Track 7: Right On. There are few songs I consider rewarding of a 7+ minute runtime. Acrid Avid Jam Shred by Aphex Twin. I Want You (She's So Heavy) by The Beatles. Track 8: Wholy Holy. Now he's just ripping off Geordie Greep. SMH. Jokes once again aside this track isn't doing much for me at all. It's just kinda...meandering. 5/10. Track 9: Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler). The most serious sounding song on the album. Kinda an odd choice to end the album on a mostly dour note after several tracks of hope and encouragement. Still a good track though and probably my favourite sonically. Just kinda of a weird note to end the album on. 9/10. Overall I can see why this album is so praised and beloved. With only 1 real dud in it's whole tracklist I can see myself coming back to this frequently. Favourite Track: Save The Children Least Favourite Track: Wholy Holy Overall: 9/10 (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

Musically, this album is a masterpiece. It is just that none of the lyrics hit home because I wasn't here when this album came out. That being said, I will probably listen to this when I need to cry. Marvin Gaye has maybe the best voice in music history and he uses it so f-ing well. Even with that though, I still love the sax solo in Mercy Mercy Me and the flute in Right On. I also love that this album is not first half carried and that it has many of its hits throughout. The songs did feel kind of similar though so I don't think I can give it a five even if it win like 80 million awards. And it's also a little bit too short. Highlights: Mercy Mercy Me and Right On Honorable Mention: What's Going On 7/10 stars

Don't remember much but this was some nice soulful music for how nice and rainy it was. Better than Frank Ocean? Favorite(s): God is love Least: Flyin' high 2.5/5

Fav: Right On, Mercy Mercy Me L: Save the Children 3.5 I don't have much to say about this one. Cover: 3 Pretty standard Name: 3 Minecraft Parody: Minin' High (Above Diamond Blocks)

Nezt

Very nice full album Lovely songs

The GOAT

Already just listened to this lmao. When it’s actually doing a fully done song it’s peak, but there’s a lot of nonsense imo. Well not nonsense but like… why am I gonna listen to anything that isn’t What’s going on, God is Love, and Mercy Mercy Me?

Unbearable. Except Inner City Blues.

An album of historical significance, pleasant enough. Title track is a classic and his voice is sublime. But a 3 nonetheless

A classic that still holds up.

Such a seamless flow. Almost like it’s all one big song. Lovely as always, all the same problems prevail.

This is #day791 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... here's to my second Marvin Gaye record. Not so long ago, I revisited Let's Get It On and bumped it up to a 4. Now, What's Going On? It was fun to learn about the concept, and the tracks do flow into one another almost unnoticeably, but it's all just too soulful. Musically, side B is more adventurous, if you will. If I had to pick which album by this guy to revisit, I'd most likely put on Let's Get It On. Let it be a 3 out of 5. Looking forward to #day792.

Peak

Nice and smooth

Llevo toda la vida pensando que este era el de "i said hey what's going on" y resulta que eso son las 4 Non Blondes. El disco es una pasada, cortito pero pasan muchas cosas y está hecho como con mucho gusto. Me recuerda a sonidos que luego usará por ejemplo Prince.

Solid and better than the other Marvin Gaye album I listened to, but other than the title track the songs seemed consistently solid but not better than that

Smooth

Great classics from Marvin Gaye

1. I should love this, but I loved a few songs. 2. There was something I found cringe, so while I wanted to rate it higher, 3 amazing songs plus cringe = 3.

This is a nice album. I enjoyed it from start to finish, but if I'm listening to Marvin Gaye, I'm pulling out Let's Get It On.

One of the greatest records ever. 100/100

Unfortunately a rather timeless album. Pretty good though.

easy perfect. one of the best protest albums ever and one of the best albums ever. period. marvin's writing and singing are, of course, top notch. but the funk brothers play their hearts out here.

What a follow up to Stevie Wonder on Friday! Smooth, great songs, really good music. Perfect for Monday morning!

Super crooner but short enough

Why do tracks sound like they could be playing in a Star Trek episode? A couple good tracks but that is it

Track By Track What’s Going On - Starts with a cool convivial atmosphere of folks talking and chatting and vibing & then smoothly transitions into such a great chill groove. His singing is so soft, yet I can feel the earnestness and soul. You can tell he’s really into it as well, Motown vibing. Just brilliant. Potent, simple and extremely relevant timeless lyrics. What’s Happening Brother - A continuation of the previous track (this album’s been called a song cycle). It’s like a clear, alive call to his brothers to wake up. Flyin’ High (In the Friendly Sky) - More of a smoky feel to this one. Spacey. Save the Children - I liked this one less but dig the message. Smooth harmonies as well. God Is Love - This was quite influential I think. The Vernon Spring has a track that is inspired by this. Another call to peace. It’s great. Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) - Great tune. Lovely, timeless. Can hear its influence as well across time. Again, it’s that balance of sweet, soft & soulful and passion in his voice. Ends with an almost horror-like warble. Right On - Slight change of pace. That jazzy flute is nice. Reminding me of a jazz flute player that I can’t name very much! A bit Gil Scott Heron being political as well. Tinges of that. Very nice cool grooves. While Holy - Nice chilled one to begin to wrap up the album. A nice pace to this. Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler) - A great way to tie up the album. Nice that he alludes to the beginning with the ‘mother, mother’ refrain. Weaves elements of the other songs in it beautifully. Overall Review: Lovely. Smooth voice, great concept for an album. Also feels timeless and relevant today still. A important album. It feels like its message can be applied certainly to today’s situation but to any conflict in history. Many of the songs do have a very similar vibe though would be a note. 4.4/5 Favourite Songs: What’s Going On, Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology), Right On

Smooth....

An okay listen for a rainy autumn night. There’s something undeniably fitting about the warm, melancholy atmosphere of What’s Going On when the weather is grey and everything outside feels a little slower. Gaye’s voice is beautiful, and the album’s themes of war, poverty, love, and social unrest give it a weight that still comes through. It’s thoughtful, soulful, beautifully arranged, and very much a product of its time without feeling completely trapped in it. Just not a personal favorite — although perhaps a rainy autumn evening was exactly the right setting to give it a chance.

This here is one EASILY a Top10 album of ALL time across ALL genres, man. Truly defined classic. Every song has Marvin Gaye's iconic and soulful voice as he touches on real world issues of then that (sadly) still hold up to this day. Magical record all around.

Honest and deep lyrics with Marvin’s smooth voice. Very calming and introspective. Mercy Mercy me favourite

Classic

Masterpiece

_smooth_

Mother, mother...

Nice and chill, but not "great"

A general delight all the way through

I can see why this is good, but I just found it mostly unremarkable

Très bon album de soul. Les musiques s'enchaînent bien même si elles peuvent parfois se ressembler.

When aliens or ai take over, we should play this on repeat to convince them to spare humanity

One of the best infinity / 5

A classic album, where the production is the highlight for me.

He's got some classics but overall I'm not feeling it.

favs: third world girl let’s get it on i heard it through the grapevine distant lover rockin’ after midnight inner city blues (make me wanna holler) rating 2.7/5

as i understand, this is marvin's f-you to motown, and by god he cooked Would I listen again: i've got in on vinyl Deserves to be on this list: absolutely 4.5

When I saw the album title, I had to forcibly shift away from expecting that song by 4 Non Blondes. When this was over, I went and listened to "What's Up?" just to get it out of my head. Apparently they named the song that way specifically to avoid confusion with the title track of this album. That didn't really work, but it was a nice thought. Anyway, this is the best album of all time? Huh. I guess I'm just not a soul guy. This was fine. I didn't dislike it (other than "Save the Children" which I found actively bad). I also never thought "this is great." The lyrics are all "everything is fucked up" but the vibe of the music is all "let's drink some wine and slow dance."

Dit klinkt voor mij echt als 35 minuten lang hetzelfde liedje. Het voordeel is dan dat het maar 35 minuten is, daardoor kan ik het nog wel op een voldoende houden. Verder is dit m'n 3e of 4e Marvin Gaye in deze lijst, dus echt verrassingen waren er niet.

I mean come on a true masterpiece through and through. The only real qualm I have it that the Detroit mix features a better transition between God is love and Mercy Me. The original has a pretty sharp drop between these.

2 socially conscious albums in a row? I think the list is trying to tell me something. Marvin Gaye was special, and I was absolutely devastated the first time I read about what his dad did to him. What an incredible artist, through and through, with a voice that just stops you in your tracks. The lyrics are less of a desperate plea for unity, instead opting to politely ask people why they're not coming together for the greater good of their fellow brothers and sisters. Gaye is in despair at the state of humanity and lets us know of this fact, and whilst I'm no longer religious, I can absolutely get behind the message he is delivering here. The way a lot of the tracks transition seamlessly between one another is awe-inspiring, to the point where you cannot tell where the side-a/side-b divide would be. Definitely need to pick this masterwork up on vinyl ASAP.

Good stuff but I think I liked Here, My Dear more. Didn't care for the gospelish stuff so much. Last track was really great. 7/10

Marvin Gaye is a great singer. The whole album felt like different versions of "What's going on?" which made the message feel a bit overplayed, but it wasn't the worst.

++*: What's Going On, God Is Love, Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology), Right On, Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler) ++: What's Happening Brother, Flyin' High (In the Friendly Sky), Save the Children, Wholy Holy 10/10

Struggled between 4 stars and 5 stars because while it is a true classic and an amazing album, it only has two tracks (the opener and "Mercy Mercy Me") that really stand out to me as a casual Marvin fan as all-time classics (and he has several other songs that stand out that way on other albums.) But I do love this album and it is the only Marvin album I own, so 5 stars it is.

"Soulful bible" Fav songs: What's Going On, Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) Like the ending of Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler) as it ties into the beginning of the 1st song

Es como si estuvieses flotando o cayendo al vacio infinito

John Legend before John Legend 👏✨

Always find this a hard one to connect with despite its legendary status and the talent involved. Maybe it's been parodied too much? Just can't really listen to Save The Children with a straight face.

Hypnotic, soulfoul, right on PEAK Marvin Gaye. What a voice, incredible musician. Such an epic cover as well. Absolutely stunning album. I'll play this one a few times today I think. Also, 9 songs and 35 minutes. Perfect album length!

The main song I know from Marvin Gaye is let’s get it on which is great. This album touches on politics, kindness, and love. The sound comes off as hopeful but the lyrics are really truthful about the world around and highlights that there’s so much anger and suffering. It isn’t until right on where the lyrics do become more hopeful. It obviously still applies to today unfortunately. So far it’s really good and I’m enjoying his lyrics and sound.

Heerlijke soul. Soms een beetje zeikmuziek, maar verder prima te luisteren. ***

UUU fajne takie cozzy ; 12:41 - 22.09.2026

Love love love

Fantastic music, messaging, and voice. Only giving this 4 stars because I will never play one of these songs on my own volition, but it's amazing stuff

Enjoyed this listen and felt the love imbued in it. Would listen again.

A gorgeous album, some of the most beautiful singing I’ve ever heard and some of the most poignant songwriting put to a recording. I’m partial to Let’s Get It On if I have to choose, but both are just soulful greatness. Marvin can ask me as many questions as he wants to if he’s going to sound like this.

85

In Year 12, as part of our Modern History Indochina module, we had to give a presentation on an anti-war song from the era. From memory, “What’s Going On” was my pick, meaning that I’ve listened to that song an awful number of times. It’s great! I still love it! But as I’ve found many times during this exercise, I’ve never listened to the full album. It was fine! Maybe too subdued on the whole for me at this moment, but not everything needs to be Edwin Starr’s “War”. When I had to repeat the exercise in uni, I went with CCR’s “Fortunate Son” (because as it turns out, having a favourite war isn’t just for boys, I have one too and it’s Vietnam).

I'm sorry but I really struggled with this. It's just so much not for me

Idk man it’s just like a bit boring to me but I appreciate it but like…. The best album ever? Probably not

Feels good album. Slow, soft hitting beats and clear vocals. Large focus on vocals and instruments instead of beats.

What's going on? Some decent tunes

Even though it’s not my personal favourite, is this objectively the best album of all time? Perfect flow, amazing production. All round groovy. Good album for the background of a party too. Lyrics occasionally too on the nose? Maybe. But its messaging is sweetened by the amazing music and soulful voice of Marvin. A classic!

soft, beautiful, concerned with the world in a atemporal way I wasn't expecting it like this, but i don't feel it resonated as strongly as i wished it did

Peak.

Beautiful voice. Love the bass and how smoothly the songs fit together. Great album.

Clássico, sempre gostosinhos de ouvir

Enjoyed

From the beginning all time classic whats going to the equally majestic end song inner city blues thus is truly outstanding. It does sound like one song cut into 9 pieces but they are so rich, so well sang and full of meaning. Gaye never released anything approaching this level for the rest of his life. When you have released an all time great album that is forgivable

Pure class.

not as good as i remembered but still a 4

4.5

3.5

I expected this album to be smooths and soulful and it delivered, but I didn't expect it to be so political and religious too. It's great how these topics and folded into a neat 35 minute album. Really enjoyed it but didn't fall in love with it. Favourites: What's Going On Mercy Mercy Me Right On

It occurs to me while listening to "Save the Children," which is literally an exhortation to save the children, that I would be at least a little bit cynical about that sentiment coming from basically any other artist. Yet coming from Gaye I believe it without hesitation, and not just because I know something of his own horrific childhood. Equal parts Old Testament lamentation and New Testament call to hope, Gaye made not just a transcendent album but one of the greatest spiritual works of art of the past century, on par with Coltrane's *A Love Supreme*. David Van De Pitte's orchestral arrangements are a world unto themselves. Anyone who wonders whether it's possible for pop music to say something powerful should start here.

At first, I was tempted to write: Just listen. But now I’ve decided to write a few lines after all. This concept album from 1971 (!), in which most of the songs flow seamlessly into one another, was revolutionary in the world of soul music. The narrative woven through the songs is told from the perspective of a Vietnam veteran who returns to his homeland, only to encounter hatred, suffering, environmental destruction and injustice. Gaye’s introspective lyrics, the perfectly arranged and produced music, Gaye’s voice – all of this makes "What’s Going On" a timeless (and alarmingly topical) classic of 20th-century music as a whole. If one focuses solely on the sound and the vocal lines, it becomes clear just how profoundly Gaye influenced not only soul music but also pop and rock music of the 1970s and 1980s with this album. Even in the trip-hop of the 1990s, one can recognise unmistakable elements from this music. This is one of the absolutely greatest albums in music history. Just listen.

One of the most cohesive concept albums I’ve ever listened to, pretty much perfect. Banger vocals, lyrics are great, production’s perfect, perfect pacing/flow. Feels more like one long song, so good

Listened to this after Notorious B.I.G. in my other group and it is full stop way more wholesome. It's maybe so wholesome though it just wistfully plays in background and does not grab me.

Save the babies