Emerging from a period of escalating social unrest and personal transformation, Marvin Gaye’s 1971 masterpiece, What’s Going On, wasn’t just a song; it was a seismic shift in the landscape of popular music. This genre-bending track, seamlessly transitioning into the companion piece What’s Happening Brother, served as the powerful title track for Gaye’s groundbreaking concept album.
Composed by Gaye along with his longtime collaborators Renaldo “Obie” Benson and Al Cleveland, What’s Going On departed from the smooth, romantic ballads that had defined Gaye’s earlier career at Motown Records. Produced by the innovative team of Marvin Gaye and Melvin Franklin, the track pulsed with a raw, urgent energy, blending elements of soul, psychedelic rock, and gospel. The instrumentation, featuring a haunting melody from the Wurlitzer piano, a driving bass line, and a call-and-response section with the Funk Brothers, provided a powerful backdrop for Gaye’s impassioned vocals.
What’s Going On wasn’t just a sonic departure; it marked a profound shift in Gaye’s lyrical focus. Witnessing the horrors of the Vietnam War, the escalating environmental crisis, and the racial tensions plaguing America, Gaye channeled his disillusionment and yearning for peace into a series of poignant questions woven throughout the song. What’s Happening Brother, an introspective interlude seamlessly integrated within the track, further emphasized this social commentary. Spoken word segments delivered by Gaye himself added a sense of urgency, directly addressing the listener with questions about poverty, unemployment, and the fracturing bonds of brotherhood.
The impact of What’s Going On was undeniable. The song became an instant anthem for the anti-war movement, resonating deeply with a generation grappling with social upheaval. Despite initial resistance from Motown executives, the track soared to number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and won Gaye a Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. Its influence transcended genre and generation, becoming a timeless call for peace, understanding, and social justice. What’s Going On / What’s Happening Brother remains a landmark achievement, a testament to Marvin Gaye’s artistic evolution and his enduring legacy as a voice for a generation in search of answers.