Marvin Gaye and “What’s Going On?”
Marvin Gaye and “What’s Going On?”
In this post we’ll discuss Marvin Gaye’s recording of “What’s Going On” and the events that went on in the 1960s that influenced this song from the beginning. This song marked a pivotal time in Marvin Gaye’s career. With the opportunity to record this song also came a period of eye opening events that expanded his conscious connection to the negative things that were going on in the country, and especially his own community in Detroit, Michigan.
The inspiration behind the words question, “What’s Going On?” came from Benson’s real asking of the question when he saw police beating up kids who were peacefully protesting in an abandoned lot. He asked, “Why” Why are they attacking their own children in the streets here?”. Then eventually the famous lyric came, “What’s Going On?. The 1960s came with horrible social injustices. These were particularly a problem between the police and the community during the 1960s. The turbulent social conditions eventually led to the 1967 Race Riot of Detroit. Marvin Gaye watched these events unfolding on television and was deeply moved into using his voice for activism by the images he saw.
Prior to Marvin Gaye’s recording of What’s Going On, the young star sang everything but songs that held political messages. His songs were often love songs that serenaded teens and served the purpose of being easily marketable by his label, Motown. He didn’t really like the music he was releasing, as he didn’t feel that it represented how he really felt on the inside. When he received “What’s Going On?” from Ronaldo “Obie” Benson of the Four Tops, it was just the type of song he needed and he owned it! Benson described the way he put his own touch on the song as, “We measured him for the suit and he tailored the hell out of it.”
The song was came together during a very special period of creativity for MoTown. Collectively, there were musical ideas being shared by 75 producers and 150 songwriters on MoTown’s staff. Marvin Gaye was part of a group called the Funk Brothers that met and exchanged lots of musical ideas in a Hitsville studio called the Snake Pit. After Marvin Gaye finished recording and was ready to release, he let label owner Berry Gordy hear it. Gordy didn’t like it and even said it was worst he ever heard. Gaye pushed back and said he’d stop recording for the label if the song wasn’t released. Eventually though, the song was released and touched the hearts of millions.
I really have an appreciation for the message in “What’s Going On”. The song vividly paints pictures of picket lines, picket signs, protestors, and the presence of police brutality in the community. This is what music is supposed to do in my opinion. Not just be something to party to but also something with a message that brings people together. I have a new appreciation for the sound of the recording as well. I really like the way it sounds like a gathering of people who really care about each other in the intro. The mix on the song sounds just right too. The drums and bass provide a groovy backdrop to the Marvin Gaye’s voice and the way they mix the crowd into the song sounds like it encourages people coming together and having a good time. It’d be great to hear that same kind of soul re-enter today’s music industry. Occasionally it does, but it doesn’t see the main stage as much these days in my opinion.
Until next time. Enjoy your music!
