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- It was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998.
The song paved the way for Marvin Gaye's concept album of the same name, which is now regarded as one of the greatest albums in the history of American popular music. - To this day, the song continues to resonate given its universal themes of peace, love, and understanding.
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Mother, mother
There's too many of you crying
Oh, brother, brother, brother
There's far too many of you dying
That's Right
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some lovin' here today
Oh my 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
Barricades, can't block our way.
- It’s also referenced in popular TV shows including "The Wonder Years" and "The Wire".
Gaye's "What's Going On" is not just a song; it's a social commentary about the turbulent times of its era. - The album marked a departure from Motown's factory production style, allowing artists more creative control over their work.
"What's Going On" has been covered by a multitude of artists across various genres, reinforcing its timeless appeal and message.
- Notable covers include those done by Cyndi Lauper, Los Lobos, and A Perfect Circle.
The song has been used in numerous film and television soundtracks. - Despite initial pushback from Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown Records, fearing the song was too political for the public, it went on to become one of the greatest hits.
The song's lyrics reflect Marvin Gaye's take on the deeply troubled times of the 1970s, including the Vietnam War, drug abuse, environmental issues, and poverty.
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
Ahh what's going on
What's going on in a world filled with pain
Where's the love for which we pray
What's going on
When our children can't play
Homeless can't eat
There's got to be a better way
What's going on
When we politically blind
Can't see the signs of endangered times
What's going on
Ah tell me
What's going on in the world today
I'd rather be dead
Than turn my head away
We gotta first world vision too comfy to lift our
Hands in the air and cry for a switch
Father, father
Everybody thinks we're wrong
Oh, but who are they to judge us
Together we can all be strong
United we stand, United we fall
Oh you know we've got to find a way
To bring some understanding here today
Barricades can't block our way
Don't punish me with brutality
Baby talk to me
So you can see
Yeah, what's going on
Hey, what's going on
Somebody tell me what's going on
I'll tell you what's goin' on -uh
What's going on 'cross seas
Every minute a child dies by this disease
In record numbers indeed
Got momma's crying out please
My baby hold on
My child ain't done nothing wrong
Still I want to hollar
Ask them why they don't bother
Oh no, oh no
Make me turn to my father
And ask him why they all got a trapped soul
Somebody tell me what's going on
(what's going on)
We got human beings using humans for bombs
But everyone wanna live
Don't nobody really want to die
You feeling me right
I can't be watching people die
(die)
And watching people cry
Let me break it down for a minute
If there's enough room here for you and me
There's plenty of room for some humanity
Somebody tell me what's going on
(what's going on)
Somebody tell me what's going on
(what's going on)
Somebody tell me what's going on
(what's going on)
Somebody tell me what's going on
(what's going on)
Somebody tell me what's going on
Back to: Marvin Gaye Lyrics
Hey, hey-hey
Hey, what's happenin'?
Hey, brother, what's happenin'?
Boy, this is a groovy party (Hey, how you doin'?)
Man, I can dig it
Yeah, brother, solid, right on
What's happenin'?
Hey, man, what's happening?
Woo
Everything is everything
We're gonna do a get down today, boy, I'll tell ya
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 - yeah
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, oh (Oh)
Picket lines (Sister) and picket signs (Sister)
Don't punish me (Sister) with brutality (Sister)
Talk to me (Sister), so you can see (Sister)
Oh, what's going on (What's going on)
What's going on (What's going on)
Yeah, what's going on (What's going on)
Oh, what's going on
(In the meantime, right on, baby)
Woo (Right on, baby), woo
Ah-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya, ya-ya-ya-ya-ya
Woo (Right on, baby, right on)
Right on
Ah-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya, ya-ya-ya-ya-ya
Mother, mother, everybody thinks we're wrong
Oh, but who are they to judge us
Simply because our hair is long
Oh, you know we've got to find a way
To bring some understanding here today
Oh
Picket lines and picket signs
Don't punish me with brutality
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 - uh
Right on baby
Right on baby
Submit Corrections
Thanks to Jerrett Luedy, doughnutcandycutie, vyvhgvtf v, Spencer, Briana Davis for correcting these lyrics.
Writer(s): Alfred Cleveland, Marvin Gaye, Renaldo Benson
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Notably, it was featured in movies like "Four Brothers" and "Save the Last Dance". - It was inspired by Renaldo "Obie" Benson, a Four Tops member, who witnessed an act of police brutality at an anti-war rally in Berkeley.
"What's Going On" was a major hit, peaking at the number two spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and topped the R&B chart for 5 weeks.
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- In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked "What's Going On" the fourth-greatest song of all time.- It has sold over two million copies.
Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" has a lasting legacy and has been hailed by various music critics as Gaye's finest work.
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 - Ya
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
Ya, what's going on
Ah, what's going on
In the mean time
Right on, baby
Right on
Right on
Father, father, everybody thinks we're wrong
Oh, but who are they to judge us
Simply because our hair is long
Oh, you know we've got to find a way
To bring some understanding here today
Oh
Picket lines and picket signs
Don't punish me with brutality
Talk to me
So you can see
What's going on
Ya, what's going on
Tell me what's going on
I'll tell you what's going on - Uh
Right on baby
Right on baby
Back to: Marvin Gaye Lyrics
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Written by: Alfred W Cleveland, Marvin P Gaye, Renaldo Benson
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Song History"What's Going On" was released by American recording artist Marvin Gaye from the Motown Records. |