What's Going On

Chill album, musically. Has some interesting political messages woven into it. Overall might be too relaxed for me, though.

Obviously have heard of Marvin but haven’t ever really listened to him. His voice is so beautiful and I love the easy going vibe. Save the children is def my favorite song. Again not my style but am glad I listened!

Didn’t really love this album, but I didn’t really have any issues with it either.

you can bet on him

I generally liked it. It' smooth and enjoyable

Obviously great

good album, excellent bass lines

icon… only 3 stars tbh because sonically only a couple of tracks really stood out to me and i’m currently voting based purely off initial listening experience and not any critical thought - it was fun realising i’d listened to half of the album already and i hadn’t registered any of the songs starting and finishing because it all flows so seamlessly into each other and a lot of the tracks reference other tracks. “what’s going on” and “mercy mercy me” are the only two i knew before this and remain as 2 of the most solid tracks from this!! also loved “inner city blues”

Wanted to rate this higher than 3 stars but ultimately just wasn’t really feeling it. Some good songs but not too many that really stood out as great. Probably a 3.2 rounded down to 3 stars.

A very chilled album and easy to listen to.

I quite like the music. I particularly liked What's Going On, Mercy Mercy Me and Inner City Blues. But I probably wasn't in the right mood when I heard it. In this respect, the rating is worse than it might have been at another time. 3/5

I have no logical reason to dislike this album. The band is as smooth as they come, the lyrics are strong and topical, and Marvin’s vocals border on legendary. Yet for some reason, I found myself somewhat impatient for it to be over and I don’t think I will look this up in my “free time.”

Given I was just expecting some awful 70s sex music, this was alright. I never knew ‘What’s going on’ was a protest song, nor that the Motown/Soul was a vehicle for that. No reason why it couldn’t be, guess that just shows my naivety. Anyway, I preferred the second half of the album, which was funkier and ‘Right on’ was the standout for me. Tbh I think I just liked the backing band, Gaye is OK but I’m just not a soul man.

I've heard the name "Marvin Gaye" mentioned many times in my life but never really listened to any. This made me pretty interested in listening to this album, which is also supposed to be one of his biggest commercial success. However I mostly just found myself a bit bored by the music and like the lyrics were preaching to me Standouts - 3/5

Eh

Probably a bad take, but I remember these songs feeling unremarkable.

Classic. Put on some Marvin Gaye and Chardonnay

Met het eerste nummer stappen we gelijk de jaren '70 in. We worden overmand door een heerlijk gevoel van nostalgie. De titeltrack verdient absoluut 5 sterren. Maar vervolgens pruttelt Marvin nog ruim een half uur na en gaat het album als een nachtkaars uit. Het hoogtepunt zit in de eerste 4 minuten, de rest kunnen we vergeten. Een vergeetbare 3 dus.

With the feeling that this is a landmark album that requires appreciation I listened to it yet again. Not my first time by any means, but same result. Bored. Conclusion is something is wrong with me.

This is probably heresy but I thought this was just fine. Lovely playing but weirdly low energy for a protest album. Some tracks were a bit meandering but I really enjoyed What's Going On and Mercy Mercy Me

I enjoy old soul and funk... I should love this, and I do - in places. There's something about Marvin Gaye that just doesn't gel for me. Maybe it's the hype around him that taints the music for me. I just don't think he's *that* good. That said, I like how the album is stitched together. It does feel like a cohesive experience.

It is good. Sounds a bit dated and has lots of the cliches of the time but it’s a good timestamp too.

#343. I feel like I should like this more than I do. Maybe I should have drank more yesterday, this seems like it would be nice hangover music. 3/5: acceptable

Wasn't paying full attention to this but it sounded like Marvin Gaye. Reading the wiki blurb it would appear I missed the themes of album entirely but in my defense he delivered his thoughts on the Vietnam war in exactly the same style as his thoughts about getting it on. He's probably the best soul singer I'd think but I'm not a particular fan of the genre. 2.5.

Soul

This was fine. It was cool to learn that it was a concept album about coming home from the war. Just not my genre of music.

I preferred Mavin Gaye's other album I reviewed a while ago. But I still like this one. The first two tracks were great and the others are nice. It's been a fortnight since I gave an album more than 3 stars. So I can't to see what Monday brings. 3 stars for "What's Going On?".

Smooth as butter, but I can't imagine a scenario where I would play any of these songs apart from a date-night playlist where I'm hoping to get lucky. I guess for that alone it deserves a 3.

mitä vittua tapahtuu??? olin yllättynyt, että en ole aikaisemmin kuullut tätä erittäin tunnettua laulua.. tai ehkä se vaan on yllättävän unohdettava. koko albumi on vähän samanlainen. monet samoihin aikoihin julkaistut soul-teokset ovat tähän mennessä iskenyt paljon kovempaa.. lyriikat eivät vaan osu jos ei ole tarvittavaa musiikkia takana. en sanonut että on huono prkll... en sanonut että huono mitä vittua tapahtuu... jaaha hyökkää köyhälistö... ei saa olla eri mieltä jaha tervetuloa 2024.... mitä tapahtuu... inner city blues

This is like a famous record. But it doesn't do all that much for me. I mean, it's not bad. Bass lines are fun. Background is fine. Marvin can sing. But somehow it doesn't add up to anything super impactful for me. I guess it never really feels like it's going anywhere.

Quite classy. I understand this to be one of the most critically-acclaimed albums of all time. I think I’ll need to give it a few more spins with some introspective analysis to truly appreciate it though.

Pretty gooooood. It occurred to me that the track titles works as a conversation with a very concerned man... what's happening brother? What's going on?! Mercy Mercy Me! Wholy Holy!!! GOD IS LOVE. SAVE THE CHILDREN!!!!

3.4 stars

Something hits just right with Marvin Gaye in the morning. Sweet, soulful voice, singing with conviction. I like that this album isn’t a super romantic vibe, but more about humanity and doing better together. Listen again: yes Purchase for my collection: probably Favourite Song: Save the Children

Kinda feels like a gentle conversation. The themes are deep, but the sound is smooth. It’s a bit like Curtis Mayfield’s work but with more introspection. The grooves are easy to get lost in, though it can feel repetitive at times.

Here’s What’s Going On; it’s the sleepiest way to increase public awareness of any topic. I’ve heard a few of these songs for decades and wasn’t aware of any message other than Marvin’s got a mellow groove. Maybe you had to listen to the entire album to get the message, which didn’t happen until now. 1001 list works again! This one comes in at (3.5*s)

Not my usual thing, but quite liked it

Nice soul album with two great tracks What's going on and Mercy Me

6.5/10

Sweet soul music, the kind of soul music I can groove with. It's quite a pleasant album, easy to listen to, no skippers. However, there are no real bangers that stand out from the rest here, no songs I'll save to my discovery playlist, no songs about which I can say "This is a banger". Easy 6/10, which means 3 stars.

I didn’t like this as much as I thought it would

6/10 - It was alright. The first two songs had the exact same message but different words. It was almost like he just took the lyrics of the first song and put it through google translate a couple of times and called it a new song. The other songs did not really stick out to me

3.5

It here a a couple of great songs in here. Most of the songs on this album sound alike.

Really not impressed, but given the magnitude of the album at the time, I feel bad giving it a 2.

2,5

"What´s Going On" and "Mercy, Mercy Me" are the best known songs from this album. Great voice. Soulful music. But not exacly my jam. Favourite: "Right On" 3,5

Bien, normal.

3/9, 33%

Classic soulful album. Lots of themes of love and getting together in piece. Kind of ironic there's some lines about his dad. Who ended up you know, uhh shooting him. A little too much Jesus for me

I dont have much of an opinion on it. Wasnt my type of music but it wasnt bad by any means. Giving it a 3/5 only for the amazing basslines though.

Probably closer to a 3.5 but whatevers.

Soul/gospel/jazz. Legal mas um pouco meloso

Pretty good but not quite to the point where I'll buy the album.

Great voice, but I was never a really big Marvin Gaye fan. Most of these songs are a little "free-flowing" for my taste. But - still - great voice and superb musicianship.

Not too bad, easy listening tunes

Overall a good time with some great vocals (which you expect from Mr Marvin Gaye), fun jazz beats, and chilled atmosphere

Marvin has so much stuff goin on man. The world is out to get him and it makes me feel like its out to get me. Makes me sleepy tho

I was underwhelmed given all the notariaty.

When my dog attacked an armadillo in the yard at 4:00 am I ran outside shouting "What's going on?!!" and that was a lot more chaotic then this album. Great bass though.

Great! includes Mercy Mercy Me.

It was alright. A bit too slow for my taste. Its anti-war stance was interesting and was like half the songs on the album. Neat to listen to but just not into it I guess

Way too sickly sweet. I also had What's Up? by 4 Non Blondes stuck in my head the entire time and kept getting annoyed it wasn't coming on.

While I like the message, I do not necessarily like the music.

-I was not expecting Marvin Gaye to send me into an existential crisis about the world and its future -We love a good “we live in a society” album but with a positive spin -I really like the background drumming a lot of the songs have and the way they melt into each other, it gives it a very cohesive feel -Favorites are What’s Happening Brother and Inner City Blues

Sehr schnulzig

It's fine I guess. I just couldn't really get into it. It's not bad though.

Don't rlly care

Very high 3

High 3. Better than Princes Androgynous ass

I like it, I don’t love it

Bien, normal.

Ok, jaz not my style but no bad

This was not as good as I was expecting. That's not to say I didn't like it. Sucks what happened to my man. What a shame. Inner City Blues was probs my fav track.

Soothing!

STANDOUTS: What's Going On OVERALL: 3/5

I didn't get this album unlike so many others. It's culturally significant,but musically meh. Too religious for my liking.

It's hard to rate an album like this simply because the three big songs, What's Going On, Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) and Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler) are GREAT, truly classic songs. But the other six tracks feel like they would have been part of the extended singles of those hits or filler.

Classic, but not really my thing.

I'm sorry, I try not to play the " all sounds the same" game, but boy do the first six tracks sound like a medley. Sur the production is top notch and it's a complicated piece of R&B, but it still comes down to the quality of a Man's voice, and sure this is high quality, but I/we need more

Hmmm. Well, firstly, the fact it’s a near-continuous suite of music, with a cohesive message to boot, is right up my street. But the music itself isn’t really up my street; it meanders in a pleasant but slightly boring way. I don’t even enjoy the 3 standout singles *that* much, really. Lyrically, I find it well-meaning but ultimately a bit… fluffy? Probably unfair as the topics of addiction, poverty etc are heavy, and at any rate a pure-hearted ‘c’mon guys let’s all be better, yeah?!’ is exactly what’s called for sometimes. But it does feel a bit like a dumbed-down Sunday school sermon a lot of the time (or so I imagine, I never went). I’m trying to justify scoring this higher, but then again if I'd listened without knowing it was considered a GOAT candidate, I’d probably give it three stars and move on, so…

Very earnest but goes down easy.

Great voice for cozy songs

Lovely.

It grew on me a bit over time, but I thought the first half was pretty mid. It kind of came across as music for a charity concert for a while. I did enjoy the last few songs.

Why can't the entire album sound like Inner City Blues. Still a decent album though, great lyrics.

Vraiment spécial, à réécouter.

3-4

Smooth easy listen album. 3.5 stars for me

Lots more jazzy than I expected. Not much jumps out at me beyond the singles, but I respect the craft and intention that clearly went into this album and can see why it was a critical success.

Meh. All OK songs. One famous. Maybe I feel better about it because the songs can be used for hand dancing music

Funky and smooth listen. Quite enjoyed it

Yeah this was definitely a cool album. I’m not sure it I’ll ever go back to it in the future but it’s definitely worth a listen to.

Tolle Stimme. Ein bisschen Kitsch ab und zu ist ja ok.

Some great tracks, but not enough to get a 4 from me

Smooth maybe too smooth. 3 stars

Some of the tracks kind of blend together. But it’s smooth and his voice is great. Activism with a gospel bend. Playlist choice: Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)

Marvinin ääni on hunajaa vaikka tämän levyn matsku on semisti pliisua, ainakin omaan korvaan. Niukasti taipuu kolmoseen.

Marvin takaa laatua. Toimiva kokonaisuus. Solidi kolmonen

Silky smooth voice but it's just 1 long song.

Bien, normal.

This is the first time I've heard the entire album, though I know the big hit songs. I actually thought all the songs sounded more or less the same, but I like the sound.

Solid

Love his voice and groovy style. Great messages about war and society too. It does kind of sound like one big long song though.

I was underwhelmed to be honest

I guess I'm a philistine but I found What's Going On super overrated. It's not awful, but Rolling Stone's No1 album of ALL TIME? Things I liked: his voice, arrangements (e.g. the jazzy elements and strings), bravery. It must have been pretty ground breaking to have a black man saying these things in 1971 Things I thought weren't worth the hype: some of the lyrics.. yes it's political but it's not all that hard hitting? Save the children, love will win, people should come together, Jesus left us something to believe in... Not a great deal of substance here. The first two tracks are basically just saying lots of things are bad without really having a great deal to add. The other thing I didn't like is I was pretty bored listening to it. The tempo is all kinda middling and the tone is quite dour. Even listened twice to make absolutely sure I didn't find it as good as the critics and I don't.

6/10 nice and vibey but not.much more for me

Still a 3 for Marvin. Some bangers, but it felt like it had a bunch of filler for only being 35 minutes long. Good vibes though as always.

In its historical, socio-political context I understand how this was an important record, but it doesn’t really seem to deviate from a single musical motif the entire album.

Some consider this to be the best album of all time. So I started off with high expectations, but unfortunately it didn't do much for me... 2.5/5

What’s Going On (Marvin Gaye) 1. Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) 2. What’s Happening Brother 3. What’s Going On 4. God is Love 5. Flyin’ High (In the Friendly Sky) 6. Right On 7. Wholy Holy 8. Inner City Blues 9. Save The Children

its ait not much more to say

3/5. Good album, but it was not a good day for me to hear it.

Eh. It all kinda sounds like one song.

I enjoyed this album. It was a little more subtle than I was expecting and would have liked to hear Marvin Gaye's range more. The music was solid and it worked well with his Lyrics. I hope we get more Gaye and a chance to see more of his range and style. Ultimately this album left me wanting more.

Yeah! Nice slow songs good lurics

I enjoyed this album much more than "Let's Get It On" from a few weeks ago. However, even as groundbreaking this concept album is, in the end it just felt like a 36 minute version of "What's Going On" so it felt a little drawn out.

Overall good, but definitely recycled the same musical elements on several tracks (clarinet anyone?).

Honestly, boring and preachy.

3.5/5

Not a fan of Soul music, so me enjoying this album genuinely took me by surprise

nice! wtever

Er. I’m not sure. I liked the songs I already knew. I don’t think I realised it was a concept album and the continuous nature of it made it feel like one song that made me a bit woozy. I know it’s important. But I think I might have to come back to this one. Too early to tell on one listen.

The quality of this album far exceeds my enjoyment unfortunately

Marvin Gaye’s glorious magnum opus is as life-affirming as it is soulful. It’s a testament to moving forward in the face of adversity, and while I think the album is actually a little overrated, I very much have to respect what it is and what it did for soul music.

Good album, great performances especially from Marvin Gaye. Tracks flow really well together, nice listening experience.

Very nice, like a preacher who can sing

Este disco me llego un viernes y se quedó todo el fin de semana y creo que ahora estoy embarazado.

Smoother than a babies bottom. That is sat in a silk baby seat. In the back of Roll Royce Silver Shadow. Possibly driving on Crucible snooker table beds. Which is a bit weird considering it's an album with a pretty bleak theme of PTSD and anger. But that's Marvin's voice. It's an album that you could chuck on at any time an not be annoyed by. Equally there aren't that many highs to it. Just smooth listening.

I applaud the concept of this one, but I’m not sure I would have caught on had I not read the background.

I had already listened to Inner City Blues at some point and had it liked. Three stars feels like such a nebulous space but this isn't good enough for four. This is why I like half stars! Favourite track: Save The Children.

I liked it more than Mike.

Marvin Gaye, the epitome of Motown. With James Jamerson on bass you know the rhythm section will be on point.

Good music to get lost in

Just not my type of music but the lyrics and voice a v good

Relaxing. Ambiente Sound aber nicht mehr vo dem Album mitgenommen.

3.5

Lovely, mellow album with a classic track or two. 3*

An established classic, but numerous listens to this album have never stirred anything particularly deep in me. A 3.

I had two Marvin Gaye albums in a row. This one suffers from the same issue I had with his other album. This first song is awesome and then the rest of the album is forgettable. This has the slight edge because I think there’s two other songs that are good. But the highlight is the first track. 3/5

This is one I’ve been looking for too. It’s incredibly hyped and I haven’t really heard it. I found it a little underwhelming. It’s good. It’s light and airy, yet thematically important. But lyrically it’s pretty simple. Not necessarily a bad thing. The album kinda just floats along which I guess is what many love. For me it’s not exactly my jam. 7.2/10 10

Good listening. Calming and interesting. A little heavy handed at times.

I was expecting some experimental avant-garde metal prog, but I find myself very disappointed.

Good vibes but sanctimonious. Some abrupt endings, was Max accidentally skipping whilst out for a run?. Why was the triangle so prevalent?

Netter 70er Soul.

Ok good. A bit too much about Jesus and God. Between a 3 and a 4

Solid. The cover is awwwesome. why is he singing about god doe

Deep Lyrics

Klassiker! Tolles Album. 6.5/10

3.5

I'm not sure I can describe why I don't love this album. It's "nice", but overall too smooth for me. I will say it flows very nicely.

It's a classic, just notcreally my thing. The voice is impeccable, and there are some great songs, but as a whole it's ... OK. I won't seek it out, but I also wouldn't turn it off.

Strong political statments. The ecology is goated

Marvin Gaye's album "What's Going On?" from 1971 stands as a poignant reflection of its turbulent times. Marvin Gaye, often described as "The Prince of Soul," presents a paradoxical figure, embodying both profound musical talent and personal flaws (honestly, Google it - you'll be surprised, and not in a good way.) Despite being a complex personality, his voice remains a captivating force, and the album showcases his bold departure from the Motown hit-making formula, delving into pressing social issues of the era. As a fan of Motown and Marvin Gaye's distinctive vocals, I appreciate the artistic risk he took in shedding light on societal problems that many preferred to avoid. The mellow '70s vibe and the fusion of funky bass and soulful vocals create an immersive experience. While universally acclaimed for its unembellished truth and the lens it provides into America in 1971, I find myself viewing this iconic album as just okay, acknowledging its significance while not entirely resonating with its widespread praise.

All very lovely songs, "Mercy Mercy Me" is the most powerful and my favorite.

I don't dislike it but it's just not for me.

listened 2x, definitely some easy listening but not really my thing. 3.1/5

M: He has a sweet voice. I feel like I’ve heard his name but haven’t listened to his songs that I know of. My faves were Mercy Mercy Me and Inner City Blues.

Great singer. A bit too soft for my taste

Enjoyed most of the album but would only put a few songs on repeat

Ett skönt sound men faktiskt inget jag skulle lyssna på bara sådär. Det blir lite trist efter ett tag. Påminner lite om porrfilms-musik från 70-talet.

Save the Children antar jag är fullständigt ärlig och inte alls ironi. Det är förstås omöjligt att inte uppfatta det som något annat. Inner city blues är bäst. Riktigt jävla bra. Bättre än "whats going on". Det hörde man efter fem sekunder. Skönt groove. I övrigt är det skön stämning men aldrig upp till en klockren nivå Fan sur över att man inte tycker fler låtar (på allt vi lyssnat hittills) sticker ut och är svinbra (förutom hitsen).

Schöner Motwown-Sound, aber zu süß und schmalzig.

A nice album Very calming but also slightly energetic. Not my personal favourite genre though i did enjoy listening to it. Would probably not listen to again as there is better out there though it was nice hearing. Nothing bad to say about the album though something was missing just cant place what. All dongs have a similar feel and they blend nuce which is something i find cool for an album though it doesnt change how i feel on it overall not that bad. 3/5

A bit boring to be honest. Great harmonies tough

Marvin Gaye, porte étandard de l'ultra sexual pop, vient nous une nouvelle fois nous dresser le braquemard grâce à ses sonorités des plus sexuelles.

Pretty cool guy and nice music

good stuff

вообще не заметила как он прошёл..

Very modern words that I mostly like, music not my favourite style.

I like sexy Marvin more than socially conscious Marvin.

Second time hearing “the greatest album of all time” and I still don’t get it. Obviously it’s not bad and I guess it must have been influential but it’s so slow and repetitive. Soul just isn’t for me.

Knew from before nothing extraordinary

What’s Going On - jazzy, pretty upbeat. i like this so far (4/5) What’s Happening Brother - i don’t want this to be the only theme for this album. a light happy dance song (4/5 still funky) Flying High - this is really just the song to show off his voice. (5/5 beautiful) Save The Children - 🥺 (3/5 i hate partial spoken word) God Is Love - eh i could do without the evangelizing. minus the lyrics it’s fun. (2/5) Mercy Mercy Me - oh okay. i get Elton John from this. (4/5 very smooth listen) Right On - i’m surprised at a 7 minute song. (4/5 chill) Wholy Holy - it’s just a slow jazzy christian song. (2/5) Inner City Blues - i like the set beat for the song. good bump (4/5) i have to stop at a 3/5 because the biblical stuff. other than that it was pretty good, but it was all i could hear through those songs.

First listen to this. Lush and Gaye's voice is obviously perfection, but it's strange to listen to possibly the most sincere album ever in 2025 - the lyrics bring me out as much as the music brings me in

El precursor del R&B que creo uno de los sonidos más sensuales de la historia, incluyendo la homónima What's going on

5/10

What's Going On is the eleventh album by American soul singer Marvin Gaye. This progressive soul piece is a concept album featuring a song cycle (tracks blend into the next, intending to be played all together) with political views about the Vietnam War and thoughts on societal and ecological issues. This album was critically acclaimed and immediately commercially popular. It's considered a classic of 70's soul music and ranked one of the best albums of all time. This album has been certified platinum in the UK and gold in the US, although it sold a total of 1.6 million copies since tracking began in 1991 - 20 years after release - and there were 2 million copies sold in the first year after release, so this album should really be certified at least double platinum in the US. This is an incredible album. It's important for music history, black music, and as a personal statement by Gaye against the injustices of the late 60's & early 70's. The four singles carried this album into popularity, but the overall production was so well done that this album will remain popular for decades to come. The somber, sometimes slow, soul music on this album is not my preferred music, but real recognizes real and this album is great. This may have been Gaye's breakthrough album and he followed it up with likewise amazing albums. RIP Marvin Gaye.

It doesn’t really do much for me

Overall kinda slow. Liked one song and “what’s goin on” is a classic. Pretty fun to hear his music about anti war and what was going on at the time.

Great little album, very jazzy and soulful. I wish it was longer. Just a little churchy at times for my personal taste. Favorite songs - Whats Going On, Whats Happening Brother, Right On. 3/5

Look, I have no issue with the overarching message of the album nor the buttery smooth instrumentation, but at some point in this album you have to acknowledge that the entire project lacks, uh, "variety". You're given fair warning after a song centered around What's Goin' On is followed up by a song centered around What's Happening, and it doesn't get any more imaginative from there, musically speaking. Sure you get the occasional bongo and guiro, but a little Latin percussion isn't enough to mask just how similar all of these tunes end up sounding.

Ok

Like me a bit of Marvin Gaye but not sure if these were remixed or ‘cleaned’ up versions but didn’t seem to have the right sound quality, maybe it was the visualiser videos affecting my perception. Still good stuff though.

Only being familiar with his popular stuff I wasn't really sure what to expect. Reading that this was a concept album about social and environmental issues piqued my interest. Certainly What's Going On is a standout track, but I like the way the songs following flow into each other with faves being Flyin' High, Mercy Mercy Me.

Definitely iconic.

Marvin Gaye is a legendary vocalist, and for good reason. It doesn't matter what he sang or how the song went, he was gonna sound like a smooth, soulful seraph. Highlights: What's Going On - A funky ballad with a message that makes you think. Flyin' High (In The Friendly Sky) - Now you're just showing off, man. The vocals on here are something else. Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) - The bass on here is great, along with the jazzy brass section. Fantastic song. Lowlights: I'm not a huge jazz fan, and this album leans heavily into the freeform vocal styles common in the genre. This isn't a flaw of the album, but a flaw of me, lol. Final Thoughts: This jazzy album was an enjoyable listen, even though I'm not a huge jazz fan. The skill and God-given talent on display was wonderful, and the message of the lyrics is still relevant today. The instrumental performance was fantastic as well.

It's ok. Sort of just more Gaye. Liked this slightly better than "Let's Get It On" A Solid 3/5

meh, that's ok

Nice but also quite dull

Fair

It was a good album. I danced in my kitchen while making dinner, super funky. The outro was nice.

What’s going on?!?

Musically, I prefer Curtis Mayfields 'Super Fly' (a year earlier) but this is such a coherent album. It's message is loud and clear and the quality of the music is consistent throughout. An enjoyable listen but, again, not really my style at the moment.. although this will certainly have a time and a place in my playlist.

Soulful bluesy and jazzy. A nice mellow sound that you can relax to. Beautiful voice. High 3.

Solid

A much softer voice than I remember. Very soulful singing with some jazz influence in the instrumentals. An album with the message of peace and coexistence. However, R&B isn't always my thing.

Save the babies! Save babies! Obviously Marvin Gaye is a legend who I won't hear a word against, but this work is very much of a time, conjuring up smoky lounges, velvet, overly large collars, jive turkeys and Blaxploitation. What's there is pretty accomplished of course, but also kind of short by any standard. The inspirational, call to action lyrics seem to have fell on deaf ears. Have we saved the babies? No we have not.

Yes

Easy listening

Timeless masterpiece and I can totally see why. Music cannot heal the world, but it is a powerful way to say what is needed to be said. That being said, I didn't enjoy it as much as I would like. Maybe because I wasn't a fan of that funk sound that I've already heard for many times. Again I respect it. It does have a big place in music and history, but not in my ears apparently.

Great!

I worked really well cohesively as an album and was probably great in its day. Absolutely love his smooth vocals.

I appreciate the r&b mellow vibes on the surface but if you listen to the lyrics, it’s a politically charged album. Not really my cup of tea but I very much respect it.

zu monoton, ohne gute Hits, Musik von Mavin Gaye generell gut

ok

.pretty alright!

Big upswing for me with Mercy Mercy Me and inner city blues. Rest of the album wasn't my speed. I don't think I'll add the songs to my library but there's some settings where I think I'd quiet enjoy this in the background. 3/5 for me again!

>Feels like a fancy bar didn't unknown location I'm poor so I can't go this is nice thank you >You get a verity of music >Nice for a lone drive would recommend

Album was good and blended the songs pretty well, but i think that is what i didn’t like about it. It felt like more of the same but still solid enough to listen through it.

Initial thoughts: ngl yall, soul music isnt really my thing. i correlate it too much with lobby music. BUT (dont cancel me yet) BUT, this was album was a pleasant experience nonetheless. Final Thoughts: Strong start, follow ups were mid but ultimately brought back by the back half.

Protest

I enjoyed the music, but this was not my style.

I liked the soulfullness of this album but I felt a little lack luster towards the end of the album. Still was a great listen.

It's good, I like it. It's just that the album sounds like an album-length version of the first song. It's done well though.

It looks like today we have some baby-making music! I suspect that I probably know more songs by Marvin Gaye than I realise. In high school, I remember learning Let’s Get It On on guitar and feeling super cool, but I honestly can’t think of many more Marvin songs off the top of my head. Let’s listen! Songs I already knew: Mercy Mercy Me Favourites: Mercy Mercy Me, What’s Going On It’s strange, but I recognised the title of What’s Going On, but not the actual song. Regardless, it was an enjoyable listen, as was the rest of the album. I enjoyed how the songs would tend to bleed into one another, making it feel more like a full album experience. My only critique, and it is a fairly big one for me, is that each song sounded a little TOO similar for my taste, meaning that as the album approached the end I found myself getting a little bored. I will say though, that this album got me pregnant.

Not my kind of music, but clearly a very well made political statement that's very well delivered (and also offers some fine music). Here's an album that actually deserves to be in a list such as this.

Fav Songs: What’s Going On, Right On Least Fav Songs: Flyin’ High (in the friendly sky), Save the Children

pretty good

I love Marvin Gaye, and I wish I had the context to this album before I listened. As a stand alone musical experience it fell a little flat for me. It's something I'd have on in the background but not the centerpiece that I expected from this album. Feeling a bit let down but I don't want that to sway my review into the 1 or 2 stages. A side = Pretty good. B side = really fell flat for me.

I am sure I reviewed this...very solid entry and enjoyable.

What happens when a 70s soul singer confronts the realities of war and addiction? When he stops singing love songs and starts singing protest songs? You get something that's both angry but remarkably calm. It's doubtless an important album. I really appreciate both the skill and meaning behind it but unfortunately I didn't love most of the music.

Very good

i'll tell you what's going on, a classic 70s album style of 2 hits and a load of filler. I know its a protest album and that's cool but it doesn't really do a lot for me.

So Gaye.

Its okay

Many of the tracks feel like the same song

3/5

I’m slightly torn on my rating. I totally get the cultural and political impact this album had, but do I enjoy it as an album as much an others here? Nope. There are some bangers without a doubt, but other songs I’d be happy to skip. Don’t judge me.

Nice but a bit samey. At least the samey parts are good. Favortie song: Mercy Mercy Me

Got a bit samey.

Resplendent, if a little homogeneous. Even if some of the tracks feel similar, if they’re all this well-written and passionately voiced it hardly matters.

This was primarily a soul album, but with a significant amount of groove and funk to it. The way that all of the songs flow into the next works incredibly well here considering so many of the songs are topical and addressing social issues. Most of the Marvin Gaye that I have heard is 60s era Martin Gaye, so hearing this was like experiencing a new side of his music for me; I definitely feel like he's moved on to trying something a little different by this point. That said, his music does seem a little bit "darker" at this point, which makes sense, considering the transition from the 60s into the 70s. Marvin Gaye was always very smooth in the 60s, and he shows here that despite a change in genre, topics, and overall mood, he just STAYS smooth.

Bien, normal.

Niet slecht, maar niet mijn stijl

Magnificent vocals... Gone too soon

Nothing notable.

Little bit too preachy for me but it has a nice vibe

A couple classics on this one. The rest is fine. 3.5/5

довольно неплохо

Not bad! I’m not really into soul music but it’s alright. I didn’t mind it but I probably wouldn’t listen to it again.

I expected slightly better I'll be honest. One or two decent tunes, but the rest were so so and the album is only 35 mins long

This album is the opposite of Gay(e). Every song was nice and different. It only gets a 3 because i can’t really picture myself revisiting the album or really listening to any of the songs again but i enjoyed this listen through, just like I did the first time I listened to it last year

Great vocals but a bit too slow for me with no diversity in the songs.

Very influential and important album, but for me listening to this 50 years later and not being a soul fan, i cant give more than 3 stars

Bon. Critique sociale, guerre du Vietnam, tensions raciales. Chaque chanson de l'album se suit super bien avec l'autre ds un loop. J'apprécie plus à chaque écoute, mais au début moyen.

Buena voz tranquila y a medio tiempo de un cantante con mucho reconocimiento. Voz negra. Para escuchar muy tranquilamente

Good album.

I expected more

Sé que es un clásico, pero yo nunca pude terminar de entrarle

While I personally only care for Marvin Gaye's music in very small doses (too cheesy), this album has great flow and makes protest/social commentary music beautiful

Classic smooth Marvin Gaye vocals are always enjoyable to hear.

I had higher hopes for this. On the one hand the social commentary was fantastic and Marvin Gaye is so smooth vocally. On the other I was a little bored and felt it was more preachy than I needed.

Undoubtedly one of THE voices, but lets not pretend that there arent extended periods on this album where Marvin is waffling on about nothing

Some good songs, solid 3

Importante escutar e conhecer o disco do hit. Soul agradável.

Very strong lyrically. Enjoyable musically. Pleasantly surprised.

This album goes alright. Not as super special as some make it out to be though.

Soul.

smooth and groovy

Bien, normal.

most overrated motown album. the singles are great the filler is sludge

Easy listening

Echt een vrolijke Frans vind ik Marvin niet.

Jag har faktiskt inte lyssnat på honom tidigare förutom Ain’t no mountain high enough. Men den e ju en klassiker. Bättre än jag förväntat mig, kommer lyssna på igen antagligen. Sen en upptäckt va att en del i what’s going on är introt till välkommen hem. Men man lär sig ju nya saker varje dag.

Hmm. Jag gillar. Jag ville ge den här en fyra men… Skulle jag dock själv sätta på den här skivan? Kanske. Mest troligt inte. "But who really cares? Who's willing to try... to save our sweet world?"

Best Marvin Gaye album ever. Hands down. Start to finish this is great. Standouts: What's Going On, Mercy Mercy Me, Inner City Blues 3.5/5

Vissa låtar är bra vissa är rätt kassa alltså

Great album, but I think the myth has surpassed the music.

If it wasn’t for the importance of the message, this wouldn’t be considered a classic.

Kind of some good staff, but no more.

I need more time with this one.

Great album, thought it was unique how the first half is basically one big song. I liked a few tracks from this album but most of the song were very similar sounding. I would have given it 4 stars but this just isn’t my genre

Oh lets fuckin go imma be blasting this in the headphones today boys Ok honestly, this was pretty boring. I feel like this album has sm hype but nothing stood out to me. I really wanna like it tho so imma listen again… Whats happening brother is a vibe Overall man idk I didnt jam to it like I was expecting

Amazing voice and sound just found I heard the whole album after 1 or 2 songs

Overall enjoyable soul album. A pleasant listen but it didn't have any stand out moments for me

Not sure about this. I listened to it 3 times in a row try and see what everyone else is seeing. It's good, and clearly the social context makes it important for 1970s America, but not finding reasons to elevate this. Save the Children drops this to 3 stars.

I like the idea of this album but it was boring as hell.

Fav: save the children 2.5 Bit boring and too god-centric for my liking

Ei tämäkään kyllä se oma pala kakkua oo, mutta uskon että jotku varmaan tykkäilee

Ihan hyvinhän tää on kai tehty mutta kädenlämpöseks jäi silti.

Если бы услышала где-то заграницей в ресторане/баре - вайбик. А так вообще не моё

Good but not my deal at all. Feels ahead of its time in a way.

a few nice songs in this R&B album. A few that I didn't care for. Probably would not listen again

this song is not in my favorites i would recommend it to others but its not my type of music. the lyrics would not be that good for me.

Didn't float my boat

decent but idk didn't really stand out to me, the tunes were smooth 😛 but kinda boring, lyrics weren't that interesting and it was kind of forgettable overall . some easy to listen to songs though that u could chill with!

Hmmm, nie do końca w moim guście. Brzmi jak chrześcijański soul albo gospel i chyba nim właśnie jest. 2/5 (ale poleciłaby z pewnością jakiemuś chrześcijańskiemu wariatowi)

Wanted to love it but I just didnt think it was anything special. Maybe thats the influence of the album However, I loved the production but the songs were mediocre.

I Don't Know I Fell Asleep

Boring

a concept album if there ever was one! what’s going on is not my favorite album sonically (2/5 stars), but lyrically it’s a 5/5. the songwriting messaging within it should be so elementary for us all to apply to the way we live and treat others, unfortunately in 2026 we’ve not yet come to the fruition of this idealistic songwriting! songs that made their way into my playlists: what’s going on, mercy mercy me (the ecology), right on, inner city blues (make me wanna holler), sad tomorrows. i would definitely listen again, because first impressions aren’t always the last!

I enjoyed about a 1/4 of it. We all know the true greatest “what’s going on” song

Hadn’t really heard a lot of Marvin Gaye before apart from the hits. I liked what’s going on but from there I found there was only one pace to the whole album. Every track was just a jam with the Motown resident band and then Marvin crooning over the music. Very little light and shade. Maybe that’s just his signature style (I mean clearly - it’s Marvin Gaye!!) but I just found a lack of drama in the songs to keep me interested. Apparently it’s a concept album about a returning Vietnam vet but it was hard to follow that central theme when the songs just seemed to blend.

Way too orchestrated for my taste. It ruins good lyrics and a beautiful voice.

Sounds like it's two incredibly long, drawn-out songs. Feel free to miss this one.

Don't get me wrong, the title track is definitely one of his best, and while it is produced well, the religious imagery and ethereal nature of the following songs are not for me.

Some of the iconic songs were good go listen to, like Let’s Get It On and Heard It Through The Grapevine, but the other songs were just a bit meh. I wasn’t drawn in my any of the instruments or lyrics. I only finished it because I had to.

Boring. 2/5

What's Happening Brother