About the Song
What’s Going On: A Soulful Anthem for a Troubled World
In the tumultuous landscape of the early 1970s, a time marked by social unrest, political upheaval, and the throes of the Vietnam War, a voice of solace and poignant questioning emerged from the soul of Marvin Gaye. His 1971 masterpiece, What’s Going On, stands as an enduring testament to the power of music to confront the complexities of the human experience, offering a message of unity, empathy, and a plea for peace amidst a world seemingly consumed by chaos.
What’s Going On is not merely a song; it’s a social commentary, a soul-stirring ballad that captures the collective angst and yearning of a generation grappling with war, poverty, and racial injustice. Gaye’s impassioned vocals, imbued with both tenderness and urgency, weave a tapestry of emotions, painting vivid sonic landscapes of despair, hope, and a fervent desire for a better world.
The song’s opening lines, “Brother, brother, what’s happening in the world today?”, set the stage for a lyrical exploration of the social and political turmoil that plagued the era. Gaye’s plaintive questioning, devoid of accusatory tone, immediately draws the listener into a shared space of contemplation, acknowledging the shared human experience amidst the vastness of global discord.
The verses that follow delve into specific instances of societal ills, from the horrors of war and the plight of the poor to the pervasiveness of pollution and environmental degradation. Gaye’s lyrics, though rooted in the specific grievances of the time, transcend their immediate context, capturing the universal human lament over injustice, suffering, and the destruction of our planet.
What’s Going On is not without its glimmer of hope, however. Amidst the darkness, Gaye offers a beacon of light, a reminder of the inherent goodness and resilience of humanity. The chorus, a repeated refrain of “What’s going on? People gotta find a way / To bring some loving here today”, serves as a powerful call to action, urging listeners to rise above the divisions and despair that threaten to consume them.
The song’s conclusion, a plea for peace and unity, echoes with both urgency and tenderness. Gaye’s repeated refrain, “Pick up the pieces and restart / We gotta find a way to mend our hearts”, offers a poignant message of healing and reconciliation, a reminder that even in the face of immense challenges, the human spirit endures, capable of love, compassion, and the pursuit of a more just and harmonious world.
What’s Going On remains as relevant today as it was in its inception. Its message of social consciousness, empathy, and the unwavering pursuit of peace resonates deeply in a world still grappling with many of the same challenges that troubled Marvin Gaye’s era. It is a testament to the enduring power of music to transcend time and place, speaking to the core of the human experience and offering a beacon of hope in times of darkness.