What's Going On

What's Going On is an album by American soul singer Marvin Gaye. Released on 20 May, 1971 (see 1971 in music), What's Going On reflected the beginning of a new trend in soul music. With introspective lyrics about drug abuse, poverty and the Vietnam War, the album was an immediate sensation and has endured as a classic of early-70s soul.

"...And about this job of putting this son-of-a-gun together..."

Gaye had recorded the single "What's Going On" in June 1970, and wanted to release it. Motown head Berry Gordy had refused, however, calling the single "uncommercial". Gaye refused to record any more until Gordy gave in, and the song became a surprise hit in January of 1971.

What's Going On is a unified album, consisting of songs from the point-of-view of a Vietnam War veteran returning to the country he had been fighting for, and seeing nothing but injustice, suffering and hatred. Gaye's brother, Frankie, had returned from a three-year stint in the Army in 1970.

In addition, the title track is the only song which Motown Record's main studio band, The Funk Brothers, got an official credit.

In 1997 What's Going On was named the 17th greatest album of all time in a 'Music of the Millennium' poll conducted by HMV, Channel 4, The Guardian and Classic FM. In 1998 Q magazine readers placed it at number 97, while in 2003 the TV network VH1 placed it at number 4.

Track listing

Original release

Side A

1. "What's Going On" (Benson/Cleveland/Gaye) – 3:52
2. "What's Happening Brother" (Gaye/Nyx) – 2:44
3. "Flyin' High (In the Friendly Sky)" (Gaye/Gaye/Stover) – 3:49
4. "Save the Children" (Benson/Cleveland/Gaye) – 4:03
5. "God Is Love" (Gaye/Gaye/Nyx/Stover) – 1:41
6. "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)" (Gaye) – 3:49

Side B

1. "Right On" (Gaye/DeRouen) – 7:31
2. "Wholy Holy" (Benson/Cleveland/Gaye) – 3:08
3. "Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)" (Gaye/Nyx) – 5:26

2001 Deluxe Remastered Edition

Disc 1

1. "What's Going On"
2. "What's Happening Brother"
3. "Flyin' High (In the Friendly Sky)"
4. "Save the Children"
5. "God Is Love"
6. "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)"
7. "Right On"
8. "Wholy Holy"
9. "Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)"
10. "What's Going On" (The Detroit Mix)

Disc 2: Live at the Kennedy Center

1. Sixties Medley
2. "Right On"
3. "Wholy Holy"
4. "Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)"
5. "What's Going On"
6. "What's Happening Brother"
7. "Flyin' High (In The Friendly Sky)"
8. "Save The Children"
9. "God Is Love"
10. Stage Dialogue

2003 Remastered Version

1. "What's Going On"
2. "What's Happening Brother"
3. "Flyin' High (In the Friendly Sky)"
4. "Save the Children"
5. "God Is Love"
6. "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)"
7. "Right On"
8. "Wholy Holy"
9. "Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)"
10. "God Is Love" (b-side version)
11. "Sad Tomorrows" (b-side version of "Flyin' High (In the Friendly Sky)")

Personnel

• All lead vocals by Marvin Gaye
• Produced by Marvin Gaye
• Orchestra Conducted and Arranged by David Van De Pitte
• Background Voices:
  • Marvin Gaye
  • The Andantes (Jackie Hicks, Marlene Barrow, and Louvain Demps)
  • Mel Farr and Lem Barney of the Detroit Lions
• Instrumentation by The Funk Brothers
  • Marvin Gaye: piano, drums, keyboards
  • James Jamerson: bass guitar
  • Earl Van Dyke: piano
  • Bob Babbitt: bass guitar
  • Joe Messina: guitar
  • Robert White: guitar
  • Eli Fountain: saxophone (alto)
  • Wild Bill Moore: saxophone (tenor)
  • Chet Forest: drums
• Katherine Marking: graphic design
• Alana Coghlan: graphic design
• John Matousek: mastering

• Hendin  – Photography
• Curtis McNair  – Art Direction

Chart positions

• Billboard Albums Charts (North America)
  • What's Going On
    • Pop Albums: #6 in 1971, #154 in 1984
    • Black Albums: #1 (6 weeks) in 1971
• Billboard Singles Charts (North America) (all chart information for 1971)
  • "What's Going On"
    • Pop Singles: #2
    • Black Singles: #1
  • "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)"
    • Pop Singles: #4
    • Black Singles: #1
  • "Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)"
    • Pop Singles: #9
    • Black Singles: #1