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.
