All musicians who recorded at Motown in the 1960s and 1970s were instructed by the label to avoid social and political themes in their songs, and also not to bring up such issues in interviews. But Marvin Gay, throughout his entire collaboration with the company, sought to break this rule. His rebellious spirit manifested itself most clearly when he decided at all costs to perform the composition What’s Going On, which criticized many realities of American reality at that time.
The history of creation and the meaning of the song What’s Going On
It is interesting that the idea of Gaye’s main hit did not come from Marvin. The idea to write a protest song came from songwriter Obie Benson. In 1969, he visited San Francisco, where he saw how rudely the police dispersed pacifist demonstrations. He later recalled:
Then they had the Haight-Ashbury area there, where the boys with long hair and everything went. The police beat these guys, although they did not interfere with anyone. I saw this and began to ask what was happening: “What is there?” From one question, the following was born: “Why are they sending guys across the ocean, away from their families?” And so on.
Mojo
Returning home, Benson brought Al Cleveland, with whom he had worked in Motown, to work on the song. They first offered the sketches of the composition to The Four Tops, but its members did not want to be associated with such topics. Then they turned to Joan Baez, but they also failed to interest her. But Marvin Gaye immediately fell in love with the song, but at first he wanted to offer it to his wards from The Originals quartet.
However, Benson did not like this idea:
I told him: “I’ll give you a percentage of the melody if you sing it, but if you give it to someone else, you won’t get anything from it.”
Such a weighty argument convinced Marvin, although it cannot be said that he got royalties just like that. Benson’s word:
He certainly had a hand in the finishing touches. He added lyrics, and he added spice to the melody. He added something that is close to the ghetto inhabitants, which is more natural, making it seem more like a story than a song. He made it visible. He is so lost in it that when you hear a song, you can see people, feel their suffering and pain. We took his measurements for the suit, and he made it.
It is known that shortly before that, Gay’s brother Frankie returned from Vietnam, who told him a lot about the horrors of the war. These stories brought Marvin to tears and, of course, were reflected in the lyrics of the song, the title of which was also invented by him.
Release and Achievements of What’s Going On
Motown management was, to put it mildly, not enthusiastic about Gay’s idea to record such a composition. The head of the company, Berry Gordy, urged Marvin not to spoil his career, and when he heard the finished What’s Going On, he called it “the worst thing I’ve heard in my life” and categorically refused to release it as a single.
But in January 1971, the record with the song nevertheless appeared on the shelves of music stores. It was published from afar while Gordy was resting on the ocean coast. Upon learning of this, he was furious, but quickly calmed down when he became aware of the incredible sales of the single.
Subsequently, Berry repeatedly tried to explain his position regarding What’s Going On. So, in one of the interviews, he said:
For years people have written to me that I resisted releasing the song and that Marvin threatened to never record with me again if I didn’t release it. This must raise the interest of readers, but none of this is true.
The reason I put pressure on Marvin was not to stop the single, but to see if it was just another wild idea of his. Motown offered music for all people: whites and blacks, blues and greens, cops and robbers. I didn’t want to alienate anyone with our music. It was a big risk to his image.
Wall Street Journal
As the story of the song What’s Going On showed, the risk was more than justified. The track climbed to number two on the main Billboard chart and over the years has become an anthem for many protest movements.
In 1972, the composition was nominated for a Grammy in two categories, but did not receive a single award. Rolling Stone magazine placed it at number four on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. She is also featured in the 500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll and other authoritative lists.
Clip What’s Going On Marvin Gaye
Let’s watch the music video for the famous song.
What’s Going On Lyrics Marvin Gaye
Mother, mother
There’s too many of you crying
Brother, brother, brother
There’s far too many of you dying
You know we’ve got to find a way
To bring some lovin’ here today
Father, father
We don’t need to escalate
You see, war is not the answer
For only love can conquer hate
You know we’ve got to find a way
To bring some lovin’ here today
Picket lines and picket signs
Don’t punish me with brutality
Talk to me, so you can see
Oh what’s going on
What’s going on
Yeah, what’s going on
Ah, what’s going on
mother, mother,
Everybody thinks we’re wrong
Oh, but who are they to judge us
Simply ’cause our hair is long
Oh, you know we’ve got to find a way
To bring some understanding here today
Picket lines and picket signs
Don’t punish me with brutality
C’mon talk to me
So you can see
What’s going on
Yeah, what’s going on
Tell me what’s going on
I’ll tell you what’s going on
Right on baby
Right on baby
What’s Going On Marvin Gaye Lyrics
Mother Mother,
You cry too long
Brother, brother, brother
Too many of our dying
You know we have to find a way
Bring some love into this world
Papa, papa
We don’t need to make things worse
You see, war is not an option,
Because hate can only be overcome with love.
You know we have to find a way
Bring some love into this world
Picket lines and banners
Don’t punish me with cruelty
Talk to me and you will understand
Oh what’s going on
What’s happening,
Yeah what’s going on
Oh what’s going on
Mother Mother,
Everyone thinks we’re wrong
But who are they to judge us
Just for our long hair
You know we have to find a way
Bring some understanding into this world
Picket lines and banners
Don’t punish me with cruelty
Come on, talk to me
And you will understand
What’s happening
Yeah what’s going on
Tell me what’s going on
I’ll tell you what’s going on
That’s it, baby
That’s it, baby
Song quote
True virtue is when you offer love with a pure heart without expecting anything in return. I was in exactly that frame of mind. The people were perplexed and needed comfort. God offered this comfort through his music. I was honored to be an instrument.
Marvin Gaye
