What's Going On Entry

Marvin Gaye was the man every woman wanted. With hits like “Sexual Healing” and “I Heard It Through The Grapevine”, Gaye solidified himself as one of the top acts in the country.  His music was more about love and lust than anything else, which is why it was so hard for him to release what could be considered his most famous song.

The 1960s were a tumultuous time for America. Racial conflicts were at a all-time high and young ones were being to die in an unpopular. Trouble internally and abroad even brought famous entertainers to take notice. A member of the legendary Four Tops was so concerned by what he saw that he wrote a song about it. It was so hard for him to sell the song because of its conscious nature but eventually it fell into the hands of someone who would truly appreciate it. Marvin Gaye was hesitant at first but after his wife gave her blessing he knew it was the song for him. Gaye took the lyrics to a new level emotionally and it was called, “What’s Going On.”

Marvin Gaye was so inspired by the song that he decided to create an album based on its central theme. He brought in the best jazz musicians he knew to work on the album. Brass sections, percussionists, all were invited to create the grand feel of Gaye’s new album. Gaye even invited members of the Detroit Lions to sing background vocals. After all the hard work he put in, Gaye would be extremely surprised by the reaction his boss had to the music.

“It is the worst thing I’ve ever heard in my life!” That was the emphatic exclamation Motown CEO, Berry Gordy, had after listening to the finished product. Gordy was concerned about the message of “What’s Going On” and wondered why Gaye would want to hurt his image with such a conscious song. Gaye tried to explain that the song was more about hope and love than it was negative but Gordy did not by it. Gaye was so hurt by Gordy’s reaction that he refused to record another song unless “What’s Going On” was released. Marvin Gaye did everything conceivable other than sing or write. He even tried out for the Detroit Lions! After a long while, Berry Gordy came around and released the album. It sold 100,000 copies in its first week.

“What’s Going On” was definitely a departure to the music Motown usually released. It was more of a jazz record than the up-tempo pop vibes the mainstream was used to. The biggest concern from the record label was the subject matter. Music was supposed to be the escape from a harsh reality but the times were so tough that it could not be ignored. Gaye took a leap with the lyrical themes of the album but scored a timeless anthem for his efforts.

“What’s Going On” is such a classic song I cannot possibly say something bad about it. The instrumentation was beautiful and the lyrics touched the soul. I am glad Gaye was bold enough to stand up for this album when everyone told him no one. It is this fact that impressed me the most about the conception of the album. If only ore people cared about what was going on.