About the song
Background
- Album: The song appeared on Gaye’s seminal 1971 concept album “What’s Going On.” The album as a whole reflected growing social and political unrest in the US.
- Social and Personal Context: Released in the aftermath of the Vietnam War and during the height of the Civil Rights Movement, “Save the Children” reflected Marvin Gaye’s own disillusionment with societal conditions and his deep concerns for the future.
- Style: The song has a soulful, pleading quality in the tradition of gospel music.
Lyrics
The lyrics are heart-wrenching and filled with sorrow about the world children inherit:
- “Who really cares, who’s willing to try, to save a world that’s destined to die?”
- “Little children today are really gonna suffer tomorrow”
- “Let’s save all the children… save the babies”
Themes
- Social Responsibility: The song is a powerful call to action. Gaye implores listeners to take responsibility for the world and protect future generations.
- Poverty and Neglect: He highlights the suffering of children, especially those impacted by poverty, neglect, and conflict.
- Environmental Concern: Some interpretations find subtle hints toward environmental degradation and the harm it will cause future generations.
- Empathy and Compassion: Gaye urges listeners to break free of apathy and to feel deeply for the plight of the world’s most vulnerable.
Legacy
- Social Impact: “Save the Children” resonated strongly at the time of its release and continues to be an anthem for social justice causes, particularly those focused on children’s well-being.
- Artistic Innovation The song’s unusual format, with Gaye delivering the lyrics in a spoken-word style over a more traditional soulful backing track, highlights the urgency and heartfelt nature of its message.
Video
Lyrics
I just want to ask a question:
Who really cares, to save a world in despair?
Who really cares?
There’ll come a time (There’ll come a time)
When the world won’t be singing (When the world won’t be singing)
Flowers won’t grow (flowers won’t grow, no)
Bells won’t be ringing (the bells won’t be ringing)
Who really cares? (Who really cares?)
Who’s willing to try? (Who is willing to try?)
To save the world, (to save the world)
That’s destined to die (that is destined to die)
When I look at the world (when I look at the world)
It fills me with sorrow (it fills me with sorrow)
Little children today (children today)
Are really going to suffer tomorrow (really suffer tomorrow)
(Oh!) What a shame (what a shame)
Such a bad way to live (such a bad way to live)
Oh, who is to blame? (Who is to blame?)
We can’t stop living, (when we can’t stop living)
Live, (Live)
(Live for life) Live for life
(But let live everybody)
Live life for the children (live life for…the children. Oh, for the Children)
You see, let’s…let’s save the children
Let’s…let’s save all the children, (Save the babies, save the babies!)
(And if you want to love, you got to…save the babies)
(Oh you’ve got the feeling, you’ve got the feeling)
(You will save the babies, all of the Children)
But who really cares?
Who’s willing to try?
To save our world
To save our sweet world
To save a world
That is destined…to die
Oh, la la la la, la la la
Oh, oh, dig it everybody