What's Going On (song)

"What's Going On" is a 1971 hit single by Marvin Gaye for the Motown label, and the title track from his groundbreaking 1971 LP What's Going On. An pondering of the troubles and problems of the world, the song proved a very timely and relatable release, and marked Gaye's departure from the easily digestable pop stylings of 1960s-era Motown towards more personal material.

About the song

Designed with a somber jazz-inspired tone, "What's Going On" addressed the political and social troubles of the world in a soulful, introspective way, contrasting to the more dramatic socially concious records made by Sly & the Family Stone and The Temptations over the previous three years. Four Tops member Renaldo "Obie" Benson and songwriter Al Clevland wrote an initial rough version of the song, which Gaye took and collaborated with them to finish. On the finished track, as Gaye musically ponders on the state of the world, a party can be heard going on in the background, from which Gaye's voice is purposefully detached. The partygoers are portrayed by Mel Farr and Lem Barney, whose acquantances Gaye had made during his failed 1970 tryout for the Detroit Lions.

Also notably for this record, Marvin Gaye sings both lead and background vocals himself, essentialy creating what is now recognized as modern-day multitracking. The process had been used for many years to give parts of a recording extra strength (Motown themselves had used it on The Supremes' "You Keep Me Hangin' On), but Gaye took it one step further and sung each of his vocal passes in various harmony parts, creating an ethereal sound that became his trademark.

This song was completed before the rest of the What's Going On album was finished. Motown chief Berry Gordy tried to block the release of the single, deeming it "uncommercial", but after Gaye threatened to cease recording, Gordy reluctantly relented. "What's Going On" proved to be a substantial commerical hit, reaching #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Billboard R&B charts.

Covers

"What's Going On" remains one of the most covered soul songs of all time; many artists have covered the song both for live performances and on record. The most notable cover was done in 2001, credited to "All Star Tribute", and proceeds going to Artists Against AIDS Worldwide. With Jermaine Dupri serving as producer, the cover featured an all-star lineup of dozens of popular contemporary artists from all genres, and its video and donations were not only dedicated to the problem of AIDS, but it was also eventually expanded to dedicate to the then-recent September 11, 2001 tragedy.

Artists for AIDS Awareness lineup

• Jermaine Dupri (producer)
• Christina Aguilera
• Backstreet Boys
• Mary J. Blige
• Bono
• Destiny's Child
• Fred Durst of Limp Bizkit
• Eve
• Nelly Furtado
• Nona Gaye (Marvin's daughter)
• Darren Hayes of Savage Garden
• Ja Rule
• Wyclef Jean
• Alicia Keys
• Aaron Lewis of Staind
• Jennifer Lopez
• Nas
• Nelly
• *NSYNC
• P. Diddy
• ?uestlove of The Roots
• Britney Spears
• Gwen Stefani of No Doubt
• Michael Stipe

Credits

• Lead and Background Vocals by Marvin Gaye
• Additional Vocals by Mel Farr and Lem Barney
• Written by Renaldo "Obie" Benson, Al Clevland, and Marvin Gaye
• Produced by Marvin Gaye