Whats going on?…the eternal question.
“What’s Going On?” … a question once asked 48 years ago, still rings out loud and clear. It’s a question that can prompt many different responses, yet it does not just target or point to one answer. This question holds the power to be answered by many in hopes only to bring awareness of your surroundings.
On May 21, 1971 Motown records released the legendary album, “What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye. This record pushed boundaries being one of the first of its kind. For Motown records, “What’s Going On” was the first record to print and give credit to all 39 working musicians who were recorded on the album. It was also a first for Motown in the category of a concept album: an album that revolves around a story or message from beginning to end. Artist such as Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder were some of the pioneers on the Motown label who pushed for a bigger say as an artist and strived for their personal opinions to be heard. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/whats-going-on-251498/
Marvin’s first big success was with his rendition of “I heard it through the grapevine” in 1968. After reaching top of the charts, Marvin shortly became a recluse from the music world in response to his close friend Tammi Terrell’s death. The most famous recording of theirs being “Aint no mountain high enough”. Around the same time, Marvin’s brother Frankie returned home from Vietnam forcing a new perspective on Marvin. He noticed something was different about Frankie. This new outlook and awareness of the world helped to fuel the upcoming album, “What’s Going On”.
In reaction to the world around him, Marvin strived to speak the truth and ask others to be aware of the world around them in hopes to improve the situations at hand, “I know is what I know and what I feel I know is truth to me, and that is how I live” .The album itself touches upon issues of the violence and the Vietnam war, pollution of the earth, urban life, and stresses the importance of youth in our nation hoping to preserve the future. Marvin felt he was speaking on be-half of many. He believed in the power of his music and voice in order to expose the observations of life and the conditions of the country. However, through that power he was careful in a sense to not force a right or wrong. In a sense he was only asking for people to take a look a round and “find a way/ to bring some lovin’ here today”.
The opening title track begins with hoops and hollers of a party welcoming the listener in to a more intimate setting. In the context of the concept album however, the man entering the scene is Frankie, Marvin’s brother. The first verse explains the affect in which the war continues to cause people back home, “Mother, mother/There’s too many of you crying/Brother, brother, brother/There’s far too many of you dying”. Through the smoothness and purity of Marvin’s voice he tries to make people realize the devastation we put friends and family through during times of war and struggle. There is never a sense of anger or aggression in his singing, which creates an even stronger pull on the listener. Next he begins to ask for others to join together and create peace, “You know we’ve got to find a way/To bring some lovin’ here today”. The second verse continues to preach peace with the lines, “we don’t need to escalate/you see, war is not the answer/for only love can conquer hate”. Lastly, the bridge of the song brings forth elements of peaceful protest in hopes that issue can be resolved without violence. The lyrics utilize imagery of “picket lines and picket signs…” in order to create a bigger impact upon the listener. Marvin also touches upon the desire for discussion and for authority to listen and take in to consideration, “…don’t punish me with brutality/ talk to me, so you can see/ oh, what’s going on”. These lyrics above speak from a stance of protests turning violent and authority taking action. He hopes that there is a line of respect for opinions and the right for free speech honored. Through his music and lyrics, Marvin is preaching for peace in hopes that one-day issues can be resolved not at the expense of war.
I believe that this album is so powerful because Marvin talks about personal perspective and experience. He also is able to avoid direct opinions and statements accusing people of being right or wrong. There was never a desire to be a hero with the album. Marvin considered this record to be a “feeler” record. He wanted to avoid being labeled and placed in certain groups. When it first was released, someone labeled it as “a great black album”. Marvin was struck because that was not his intention. He didn’t understand because the word “black” was not stated anywhere in lyrics.
This after thought relates to Ted Gordon’s article regarding Dennis Prager directing the Santa Monica Symphony Orchestra. Conflict between Prager and the symphony arise because Prager’s political views do not coincide with what the symphony stands for. Pragers defends himself in the stance that music has the power to bring people together. He wishes that people of the orchestra would tolerate his opinions as he tolerates theirs. It is similar to how Marvin Gaye attempts to create a fluid record. He does not target a specific audience rather he tries to bring people together in hopes they can educate themselves on the world around them. Everyone has a right to his or her own opinion. http://musicologynow.ams-net.org/2017/09/does-music-trump-politics-dennis-prager.html
It’s hard for me to criticize a piece of music using a modern lens if it was written many years ago. Part of Gordon’s article criticizes classical music calling it “ the core of western culture” implying a negative connotation. He is taking music composed in a much more conservative and reserved culture and placing it in a modern environment. I believe it’s unfair to take it out of its societal context. “What’s Going On” is such an amazing record because it is able to defy the context of time. Marvin Gaye was able to create an honest, timeless piece of art that will ring true for years to come. He is preaching to his listeners a message that forces continuous action and thought. There is no one answer.
- https://www.npr.org/2000/08/07/1080444/npr-100-whats-going-on
- https://www.npr.org/2011/05/21/136459286/marvin-gayes-whats-going-on-songs-we-love
- https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/whats-going-on-251498/
- https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/honor-thy-brother-in-law-a-visit-with-marvin-gaye-244223/
- http://aln2.albumlinernotes.com/What_s_Going_On.html
- https://www.rockhall.com/5-unbelievable-facts-about-marvin-gayes-whats-going
- http://musicologynow.ams-net.org/2017/09/does-music-trump-politics-dennis-prager.html
Hey Ian,
I really enjoyed your blogpost! I think you incorporated the medias very well and I also liked how you emphasized certain quotes – it really helps the reader capture the important ideas. As someone who is not really familiar with this album/artist, I think you did a great job explaining the work and how it relates the bigger issues in the world such as people automatically placing a label on his work.
One thing that could be helpful would to maybe include a short biography of Marvin, so that people who don’t know him (like me) could understand how his life could be an influence to the work (?)
Overall, really nicely done!!