What's Going On

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.

Kurz, Waschbrett und Triangelaction, schon nach 30 Sekunden anstrengend

zzzzzzzzzzzzz

Sometimes there are albums on this list that make me wring my hands and bend over backwards trying to hear something that others insist is so "marvelous" that it's considered one of the greatest records of all time. This week I've had Queen's "Night at the Opera" pop up and now this. Both albums not nearly as good as the rankings and both left me empty. I take a quick look at the Metaratings and think, "wow, this must be a classic." Then I put it on and it leaves me limp. And Marvin Gaye shouldn't leave you feeling limp right? Come on. I gave this record two spins yesterday (and a third today just to be sure) and just came up empty every time. Look, it's fine. It's a period piece, it's a protest album, and there was a lot going on, but isn't there always? If you say you "get it" then good for you, enjoy it Boomer. Are there some great moments here? Sure. Desert island disc? Hell no, not even close. More like an album you'd be stuck listening to stuck in an outer circle of Hades.

I'm not the right person to appreciate this.

For such a monumental album, I found this one a bit underwhelming. It’s pleasant, mellow, Gaye’s voice is predictably on point. The production doesn’t do anything for me. “Inner City Blues” is the only track that feels like it's doing something interesting.

Listens: 2 I wish I liked the best album of all time more than I do. It's clearly good music, and I love how the songs all segue into one another, but for whatever reason I'm just not moved by this music. I can appreciate the lyrics, certainly, though as Leah pointed out, it's rather sad that all these themes are still so relevant today, 55 years later. As palatable as it all is to modern sensibilities, though, it definitely took bravery at the time, and I admire that a lot. Listening to this once again makes me wonder about how we learn to glean emotions from music. I feel like I've been trained to think about this genre simply as background music at fancy restaurants—that's the primary context in which I've heard it, whether in real life or in movies. So when I try to emotionally connect with it, the only sense I get from it is "sophistication", which not only is not an emotion, but it's not a thing that appeals to me in the first place. Fancy things feel stuffy and boring to me, and thus, unfortunately, so does this music.

All sounded the same on this one unfortunately because generally Marvin Gaye is usually a good one.

It's cool that an album from 1971 can feel so modern. It has an overall groovey and calm energy. It's just not for me.

The title track is famous for good reason, but I didn’t get into the rest of the album

not really my thing... fav track: Inner City Blues

Soul, progressive soul, psychedelic soul, R&B.

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

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!

I thought it was very samey throughout and then discovered it was a concept album. Kudos to him to sending an important message through his music but I can’t say I enjoyed it much.

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

Apart from the title track which is a classic, I found the rest of the album pretty boring.

Cheesy soul

very mellow

Not my style and a bit cringe at times. Positive messages are great but often quite a simplistic worldview seems to dominate.

Very jazzy :)

First Marvin Gaye album. I know of this guy because of that abominable pop song from ten years ago which bears his namesake. I know, I know. I hate being a zoomiecuck. What was that song again? "Marvin Gaye" by Charlie Puth. The chorus on that song is so laughably shit. Anyways, enough with the cynicism. I'm certain that I've never listened to a Marvin Gaye song before, but I can very safely pin him as a soul musician. Here goes. Yeah. It's competent, though I have a hard time feeling one way or another about soul. The music is listenable and nothing more. Still, there are some good points. The pan flutes are put to good use across these tracks and the same can be said about the string and brass sections. All of these instruments are things I traditionally like in music, but they never come together to form a greater whole in the case of this album. These soul albums also don't have much in the way of creative identities. Marvin Gaye's vocals are indistinguishably soul, and the same can be said about the the instrumentation. While the album runs for a commendable 35 minutes, I began to feel the music dragging its heels by the end. There's a lot of empty or otherwise directionless tracks. I suppose I'm appreciative for tearing into another important musical figure, but I can't say the music moved me all that much. A tepid listen overall. I don't need to check the book this time. I already know that Marvin Gaye is a big deal, and three list albums is more or less the sweet spot for an artist of this standing. I cosign this inclusion.

its not good enough

A few songs are absolute 5’s…. But there are also some that brought the score down. I won’t listen to the whole album again.

This album could be half as long if he didn't repeat every sentence sung. 2/5.

I have never been a Marvin fan. Neither the name nor the music.

he asks too many questions

Не мой жанр песни

Beautiful voice but again not my vibe/grocery store music

What's Going On is a perfect song but the rest just feels like an afterthought. Almost like the lyrics are improvised. I mean two good songs and the rest seem pretty bad.

Kind of boring, really didn't make it for me. All the songs look the same. At any moment the instruments or his voice doing something a bit more exciting or virtuoso. I'm sure it's a nice album to make passionate and romantic sex tough (by experience, Marvin Gaye's albums are great for this).

This genre is not really my thing

The title song has always been mediocre for me. But then the album just keeps on with more of the same. No thanks.

Main track good but the rest is a dirge.

I understand its relevance and importance, but unfortunately it does nothing for me musically

Beetje saai. Wel mooi opzich. Te goddelijk

Wait this was an album of different songs? It all blended together.

Man kennt "Whats Going on" und denkt, das könnte ja ein gutes Album werden. Und dann muss man sich anstrengen nicht einzuschlafen.

not bad just not for me

2/5, great album but really not my thing.. enjoyed the title track What's Going On, as well as Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)

What's Going On? Not a lot

Too religious, a lot of the songs sounds exactly the same.

Nice album not for me

Nicht besonders eindrücklich

2.5/5 This albums would work more as an instrumental album than what it was released as. I didn't enjoy what Marvin Gaye's lyrics brought to the table. I did not enjoy Wholy Holy, Save The Children, and Right On. I disliked how he would sing whatever words after he was narrating. The soundscape and the vibe are what i enjoyed most about What's Going On. It didn't click for me as it did for others.

Fa cara d'àlbum que no m'escoltaria, d'aquests així massa calmats pel meu gust. Me l'he escoltat una vegada sencer i no m'acaba de fer el pes, li poso un 2.

Not as good as hunky dory, not really my jam.

Whats going on...that's the question. Sadly I can't answer cause this wasn't for me...I did however love Flyin High and right on! Fav tracks: 1. Flyin High (what a voice) 2. Right on 3. What's going on HM: Mercy Mercy me 4/10

musik that twoja stara listens to

Not a lot!

Not my taste, but nice bass lines.

As influential and important as this album is, it’s just not my style of music, I’m not really one for slow sappy soul like this.

Meh

ibr it just faded away into nothingness after the first couple tracks

Save the Children might be one of the worst songs I've ever heard. It was unintentionally hilarious, though, I'll give it that. Album gets an extra star because of his voice, but minus several million for the actual music and especially the lyrics.

Apt title, because most of the 39 minute runtime of this album is a study on the title track. Lmost every track is a variation on the original theme, which while interesting to a student of music, can be rather one-note to the layman. Perfect transition into "Mercy, Mercy Me" is a plus.

This was boring, so bland. I really had expected more from such a name. Pretty crap.

Disappointed in this. I expected more from such a big name. I really thought I was getting in to soul from others I've had on this journey, but this was boring. Some of the orchestration sounded like things you'd hear on Chrisrmas songs, so it seemed a bit odd too. I'd have an afternoon snooze to it but that's about it. Not that there's anything wrong with his voice. It's nice. Just the music was dull and a bit cheesy. Not what I wanted, sadly.

Beautiful soul music, but I don't love the strong religious messaging of it. Other than Mercy Mercy Me, I didn't recognize any of the songs.

Second album proposé par le générateur après 'Let's Get It On' que je n'avais pas vraiment apprécié (noté 2/5). Même constat pour cet album : belles lignes de basse, mais les morceaux sont un peu trop lents à mon gout, j'ai du mal à accrocher. =>2/5

This kind of R&B/Soul is too smooth and chill for me. I think.

Not nearly as memorable as I expected. Apart from the overplayed hits, rather uninspiring which is a shock

I don’t like soul. I don’t think I’ll ever come to appreciate it. I like complex, grandiose, instrument-driven music, and soul is basically the opposite of that. It’s just not the type of vibe I enjoy, and this album doesn’t do much to differentiate itself from other soul records. So for me, although I can’t say it was hard to listen to, it was underwhelming. 5/10

Nah

I initially listened to this right before bed and didn’t love it, but I listened again in the morning on a beautiful sunny fall day and it definitely changed my opinion of this album. It’s much more of a walking through the city in the morning album for me. I don’t think I’d go out of my way to listen to it again but I’m glad I gave it a try.

What's Going On and Let's Get It On sound similar. I had Let's Get it On a few months back but listened to What's Going On instead. A bit embarrassing, but there we are. Listening to What's Going On at least assured me that I didn't like it very much on a second listen either. On the contrary, Let's Get It On was more enjoyable. I think it ultimately came down to the songs. I like the songs when they are distinct songs with structure, I do not enjoy his music when he goes in a more free-flowing, unstructured direction. After the first couple of songs, this is what happens on What's Going On and I just found it hard to get into. It meanders and feels like an extended jamming session that would be fine if you were watching it live or just into the music but it didn't do it for me.

Okay. Kind of boring.

Really enjoyed how smooth the transition was between each song here, but at the end of the day I still just don't love Soul.

I’m not a big soul guy

I can’t share the sentiment of the hysterical woman screaming in the background. Not terrible, just not my type of music

Just not that interesting. Pleasant enough but wildly overrated as I see it.

1971 "Wos gorn arn" as they say in my neck of the woods. "Ass gorn off!" It's obviously a classic, and in places decent enough, but too many references to children, Jesus etc for my tastes. Heard before ❌️ Listened this time ✅️ actually, yes Revisit ❌️ Not my bag ★★☆☆☆

While he certainly has some great stuff... this album wasn't it. A real snooze fest.

Not my vibe but sounded rather nice

What’s going on. His voice is really good and soothing. However, most of the songs are similar to What’s going on? Sometimes I could not ever tell the difference.

Seemed very generic to me

Şarkıları mutlu maniler gibiydi yinede fena değildi şarkıları daha az dindar olsaydı büyük ihtimalle 2.5 tan 3 verirdim ama 2 vericem Whats going on şarkısı olmasa büyük ihtimalle 2 bile olmazdı

It's okay. Just doesn't grip me at all. Also a little too Christian for me.

I thought it was boring, every song sounded the same to me.

Good positive message throughout, just not really my vibe.

Bueno, esta ok. Es s'àlbum de despedida de Barna.

Luistert lekker weg, geschikt als achtergrondmuziek bij pannenkoeken bakken op een weekend ochtend (geprobeerd). Ik vind het geen album om aandachtig naar te luisteren. Heb wel een zwak voor mercy mercy me, ooit ontdekt via een cover van Eddie Vedder met Julian Casablancas (ja deze bestaat echt!). Ook het origineel is genieten. Vond alleen de overgang vanuit het nummer ervoor erg awkward.

Скучно

took me three days to listen to this but i did. fav song: Inner City Blues.

Lost me at "God is Love" yeah right.

Not bad, could listen to this while sitting at a beach bar chilling.

Had higher hopes

I listened to this one. Definitely want to relisten someday, because I didn't really care for it when I listened. Gonna have to rate this 2/5, because I don't want to desaturate my current ratings. I liked the song "Save The Children". R&B more like BBQ

Bara með því að lesa titlana í albúminu sé ég að þetta sé bullandi kristið.. áhugavert Ég hélt að whats going on lagið væri lets get it on en neibb allt annað lag allt í lagi Þetta er ekki alveg my vibe Hætti að hlusta eftir lag 1 ehehe.. nenni þessu ekki sorry Marvin

I sort of get it, just doesn't hit for me.

Song: whats going on this song is okay it is good but it is not a song i would like to listen too but it kind of sounds like i had heard it before Song: Mercy mercy me this song is good but i do not really listen to these songs these are actually the kind of song i skip and it turned scary at the end Song: inner city blues This song is goof this might be my favorite one of the album but i do not listen to these songs very much

I don't like this because I don't like the instruments that are used in it and the repeatative lyrics. I would not dcommend this album to someone else because I don't think they would like it. I give it 2/5.

I've Got To Give It Up and award 2 stars only. I know it's seminal, etc and will reward repeat listens but not doing loads for me tbh

Indifferent, don't see what the fuss is about

Like, a bit disappointed

I've got to be honest: This was surprisingly lame.

I know, es isch politisch recht wichtig und gschiid, aber iwie hani de vibe musikalisch nöd so gspürt :/

A lot of the songs are very meandering and unstructured. The songs that are structured aren’t good enough to save it.

One of the most acclaimed albums of all time, but I don't really get the appeal. What's Going On is a pretty nice tune but the rest is kind of forgettable to me. It's all pretty sweet and politically charged but boring to listen to imo. I just don't get the appeal for this one.

Nagyon nem az én világom

Nažalost nije vrsta muzike koja mi direktno odgovara. Prije slušanja znao sam pjesme: Mercy me i What’s going on koje su mi se ujedno najviše i svidjele. Puno tematike Boga, ali sve u svemu jako ugodna i mirna glazba.

Boring but had nice messages and good production.

Stupid wooden instrument that played for the majority of the 7 minute song.

„Mercy Mercy Me“ ist wohl bekannt aber mir gefällt es trotzdem nicht. Der Rest hört sich genauso an ist nur noch schlechter. Blues, Soul und Kopfstimme ist nix für mich. Also macht mal Euer Ding ohne mich. Wenn das das beste Pop-Album aller Zeiten sein soll, dann ist Guildo Horn der best Opernkomponist aller Zeit en.

Not really my thing. It’s pretty I guess but it never really goes anywhere for me. Lyrically it doesn’t connect at all either. I respect it and couldn’t recreate it but wouldn’t listen to it.

попса с деталями джаза 3/10

(Among) the most mundane albums I've heard up to date 😴😴🤢😴 I don't know how soul is meant to be 'nerve calming' or 'therapeutic' in any way. I felt apprehensive for a thrill that never came when listening to "What's Going On".

Hoped for better

This is the No.1 soul record to most and it has all but confirmed that I won't ever find a soul record which I enjoy. The voice which makes soul, SOUL is just annoying to me, there's too many high notes and really no character to the singing. It's very skilled but to me soul and this record loses it's personality in the process of the refining.

no sir this one is not for me 2/5

I didn’t care much for this album. It was 1971, and I wonder what he was responding to? Nixon? Segregation? The first Starbucks? The Manson murders? Or the Vietnam War? The album is moody and moany. There are two gems: Mercy and Inner City Blues are groovy and tighter. I expected to like this album, but I just didn’t. For most of the album, I found myself bored and I didn’t find his calls for peace and love to be all that powerful. Maybe because that is almost trite now, and it was novel (and urgent, i.e Vietnam) then? Two stars for the two hits.

Det var mere kedeligt end som jeg havde forventet. Også mindre liderligt end jeg havde regnet med...

Det siger mig ikke noget

De eerste albums prikkelden nog wel mijn nieuwsgierigheid. Want Marvin is een grootheid waar ik weinig van kende. Nu we hem voor de derde keer krijgen, kijk ik er tegenop. Weer die saaie man? Zo geen zin in. We starten met bekende kost. En natuurlijk, de kwaliteit mag duidelijk zijn. Maar het is ook echt wel gedateerd. En als het album het hiervan moet hebben, dan is het het echt niet waard om in de lijst te staan. Zeker omdat het dus al de derde schotel van Marvin is die we geserveerd krijgen. Eindoordeel: Wederom saai

As everyone has said, it’s nice but not very exciting. Give the masters to RZA he’ll sort it out.

I grew up on Motown, but this record has never really did it for me. He’s got a great voice, and the production quality is excellent, but the songs rarely land. They get old quickly, and some of the lyrics are dreadful. 2.5

Lovely voice, but I kept waiting for a song to grab my attention. Basically, I was looking for, Let's Get It On, and all of the songs sort of sounded like they'd transition to it.

Great voice, but doesn't do much for me really. Not my thing. Sure its great if soul is your thing. 2

This starts off great, but after a while it felt like one long jam session cut up into chunks. I have to admit to preferring the more straight-ahead soul material, such Can I Get A Witness. Good, but not great.

Sulavaa, miellyttävää. Kaunis ääni, ei yhtään rosoa (ei haittaa). Sulavuuden seurauksena mieleen jää lähinnä, että miksi Marvin ei tiedä mitä tapahtuu. Jos jättäisi isomman muistijäljen, olis vaikuttavampi (obv).

Maailman yliarvostetuin pop-LP sisältää kolme hienoa ideaa ja filleriä - siis FILLERIÄ. Levy ei kestä kukutusta. Miten siinä oikein onnistuttiin? 2,5

Familiar with the hits but lots of filler here (by the 11th album there's gonna be a bunch). All the songs blend together and therefore sound the same, a weird choice to do that on purpose IMO. Also, the backstory isn't readily apparent (letters from Vietnam) and doesn't really add anything for me either. I get that the political commentary and emotionally charged messages were on par with a lot of people's sentiments at the time but I just wasn't there. I think he has a good voice but he should lean more on the groove and less on the shoulder of Christ. Holy God Mercy Save Me. What's Goin On? Not much really.

How did the album get ranked #1 on some greatest album of time lists? If it was greatest soul...maybe, I guess. I didn't realize the Vietnam vet narrative so I went back and relistened. It is slightly better but still too much slow, gospelly rambling. "Save the Children" annoys me. "God is Love" annoys me. "Right On" brings a little chill mood and good message but too long. "Mercy Mercy" is the only song that stands out for me (maybe cause of the CH breakdown). Really thought I would like this more but not so much...2.0.

What's Going On is a decent album but doesn't stick with me after the listen. The few hits are solid but the rest of the album is padded with filler. I appreciate the fade between songs and some of the topics he sings about. I expect this was hugely influential on release and vaulted Marvin up yet another notch during his prime. Unfortunately I wasn't there for any of that so it just falls into the "decent old soul album that I don't need to revisit" category. Marvin Gaye produces some legendary vocals and the man epitomizes soul. I respect his career and status but I don't have any history with his discography so it falls to the way side mostly. 2.34 stars

..

Yeah, not my thing

Not much I liked here but I do like the artist.

i dont think ive listened to soul music ever??? i like it surprisingly my favorite song: /

I think I wasn’t in the right mood to listen to this so it didn’t land like a superhero.

wayy too god loving for me to appreciate. also I just think about the weird Spotify playlist thats like Mavin Gaye being confused. not a fan.

Not my thing. Too jazzy/blues vibes.

Good music, definitely pleasant for a few minutes and in some specific occasions, but a bit too chill. Too much jesus

Too smooth

This really didn't do it for me. There is only one song that I really know.

It's exactly what I expected. Typical of that eras soul music. Really nothing special or remarkable. Not unpleasant but not worth returning to. Not my type of music. I have nothing against it, but just can't bring myself to give it a 3 so 2 it is.

It’s ok. Notstyle listen to much.

Too much goddy ick

What's Going On, but not much else

holy crap make it stop

Legendary soul singer, but not a style i can listen to for long

Good album but not for me. I liked the first 2 tracks a lot but after that it just got boring.

A couple of classics, but much of it all blurs into one

Exactly as expected, very samey

Und wieder Marvin Gaye: Ja und wieder ok - aber ebene nur ok. Stört nicht - Quietscht nicht und frisst kein Brot. Aber begeistert mich auch nicht.

Plätschert so vor sich hin 2/5

Marvin Gaye fans will likely enjoy this Marvin Gaye album.

Mellow and samey.

Was only previously familiar with the title song, which is pretty good. But the rest of the album is pretty samey. Not really my cup of tea (and a bit preachy)

Not my style of music but can appreciate the vocals. Lots of the songs sound similar but Inner City Blues is a highlight to close it out.

Wow, the deluxe edition on YouTube has literally 6 versions of “What’s Going On”. The album is alright, but sort of boring. Not super impressed.

God is invading your privacy right this second. Stop praising him, he's the same as google. Not a fan

It was fine but not really my thing

Perhaps the album's impact was profound upon its original release in 1971, but I really struggle to see or hear any justification for this record's commonly celebrated status as "greatest of all time". While I intend to listen to it again potentially to temper my opinion, the album as a whole, minus a few moments, seems to my ears a long and monotonous murk of reverb, strings, and dramatic vocal improvisation. Not my thing!

j'avais déjà écouté avant flm de réécouter

Un titre ça va, plusieurs c'est trop.

Blind album and artist. Just not my thing unfortunately. I loved the title track though

Not awful though

A couple good songs in here. What’s Going on and Mercy Mercy Me were decent. Right On was the best track. The rest of the songs were meh at best. I was going to give a three star but Save the Children is straight up one of the worst songs I’ve ever heard so that knocked it down to a two for me.

A little too slow for my tastes. Good for easy listening I guess.

Not my jam, but would listen again. Easy listening music.

so less than 60 albums in and this is already the 2nd repeat artist. Didn't care for it as much as the previous entry "lets get it on".

Eh, not my gear. A little less funkier and a little more preachier.

Not my kind of jam

Kan fint ha da i bakgrunnen, men går bra å fyra nåke anna i stedet

Considered a classic and masterpiece, I was left a little disappointed by this album. It's nice enough but didn't strike a chord with me at all. Rating: 2.5/5 Playlist track: What's Going On Date listened: 20/01/24

Great voice and song writing, just not my preferred style of music.

I don’t get it