Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On”: The Soul Masterpiece That Changed His Career — and Motown
Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On”: The Soul Masterpiece That Changed His Career — and Motown
How a 1971 plea for peace and understanding became a major hit and transformed Marvin Gaye into one of popular music’s most important artistic voices.
A Song Born From a Divided America
Marvin Gaye released “What’s Going On” as a single in January 1971, during a period marked by the Vietnam War, racial injustice, political unrest and deep social division in the United States.
The song originated with Four Tops member Renaldo “Obie” Benson, who was inspired after witnessing police violence against anti-war demonstrators at People’s Park in Berkeley, California, in 1969. Benson developed the idea with songwriter Al Cleveland before bringing it to Gaye, who reshaped the composition and became a co-writer.
The subject was personal for Gaye. His brother Frankie had served in Vietnam, while Gaye was also grieving the 1970 death of his close friend and duet partner Tammi Terrell. He increasingly wanted his music to address the world beyond conventional romantic songs.
What Does “What’s Going On” Mean?
At its heart, “What’s Going On” is a plea for empathy, peace and human understanding.
Instead of presenting its social message through rage, Gaye addresses war, brutality and division with compassion. The song asks people to communicate rather than answer conflict with hatred.
Its conversational atmosphere, layered vocals and warm orchestration make the message feel inviting even while the subject matter is serious. The title’s central question asks not only what is happening in society, but why people have become so divided — and whether love and understanding can provide another path.
How Strongly Did Audiences Respond?
There is no reliable historical statistic showing exactly how many individual fans the song created, so its reach is better measured through documented sales, charts and continuing audience interest.
According to the Recording Academy, “What’s Going On” sold more than 10,000 copies during its first week in record stores. It climbed to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the week of April 10, 1971 and also reached No. 1 on Billboard’s R&B chart.
More than half a century later, the audience remains substantial. Marvin Gaye’s official 2019 music video has surpassed 14 million YouTube views, while the song continues to be rediscovered through streaming, reissues, documentaries and new generations of listeners.
What Did the Song Do for Marvin Gaye’s Career?
Before 1971, Marvin Gaye was already a major Motown star, with hits including “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You),” “Ain’t That Peculiar” and “I Heard It Through the Grapevine.”
“What’s Going On” changed how audiences and the music industry could view him. It demonstrated that Gaye could write, produce and shape an ambitious artistic statement around contemporary social issues rather than simply operate within Motown’s established hit-making system.
The song became the gateway to the album What’s Going On, released on May 21, 1971. Follow-up singles reinforced its success: “Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)” reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and “Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)” reached No. 9. Both reached No. 1 on the R&B chart.
Gaye later achieved another major triumph with Let’s Get It On, won his first Grammy Awards for “Sexual Healing,” and received the Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award posthumously in 1996. What’s Going On entered the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998.
A Legacy Far Beyond the Charts
The album’s importance eventually extended far beyond its original commercial success.
In 2003, the Library of Congress selected What’s Going On for the National Recording Registry, recognising its importance to America’s recorded-sound heritage.
Its themes — war, poverty, environmental damage, racial injustice, policing and human compassion — have continued to resonate long after 1971.
For Marvin Gaye, “What’s Going On” was therefore much more than another successful single. It helped transform a Motown superstar into an artist whose work could challenge society while remaining emotionally and commercially powerful.
Watch and Listen
Marvin Gaye – What’s Going On (Official Video 2019)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5TmORitlKk
Soros-Backed DA Just Threatened to 'Blow Up' White House -CALLING KASH PATEL
Conservative critics are raising alarms over recent comments made by Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, reports indicate.
Media reports note Krasner stood before a crowd this week and told them he envisions a day when he receives a piece of the White House ballroom “after we blow it up.” He noted he would keep it as a paperweight, before adding, “In an official ceremony, just so we’re clear,” after realizing the implications of his statement at a public event, observers point out.
Observers note Krasner serves as the District Attorney of Philadelphia, the city’s chief law enforcement officer. He has received significant financial backing from political action committees tied to billionaire George Soros, which conservative commentators argue is intended to support progressive criminal justice reform policies that critics claim undermine law enforcement.
Critics argue his clarification regarding an “official ceremony” did not mitigate the statement. The ballroom project is reportedly privately funded, despite Krasner suggesting taxpayers deserved their money back, media reports note. Legal analysts point out that a public official describing plans to “blow up” a presidential structure — even metaphorically — often draws scrutiny, given federal laws concerning the safety of protected facilities and personnel.
Reports indicate Krasner previously compared some ICE agents to “wannabe Nazis” and suggested he would “hunt you down the way they hunted down Nazis for decades,” which critics described as a threat against federal law enforcement officers. He also suggested he would arrest ICE agents for enforcing immigration law in Philadelphia, stating the president cannot pardon them, and described potential intentions to put federal officers “in handcuffs” and “in a jail cell,” observers note.
Meanwhile, observers point out Philadelphia has experienced high homicide rates compared to other major American cities. Conservative critics argue Krasner’s response has been to promote bail reform and reduce incarceration rates, as well as limit cooperation with ICE, while using public appearances to criticize federal law enforcement and discuss demolishing White House construction projects.
Reports also show the DA previously resisted a congressional subpoena from Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) for months, initially sending legal representation instead of documents, and issued a statement calling the House Judiciary Committee’s investigation “baseless” before the subpoena deadline prompted further action.
Conservative analysts argue this rhetoric highlights a double standard regarding political discourse. They note the DA of Philadelphia — supported by Soros-funded organizations active in DA races across the country — stood in front of an audience and referenced blowing up a federal structure while concurrently issuing warnings about arresting agents enforcing immigration law, observers point out.
Critics contend such rhetoric goes beyond standard political discourse, with some conservative commentators suggesting federal agencies like the Secret Service and the FBI should review the statements for potential legal violations, political analysts note.
Scott Jennings Urges McConnell’s Office To Be More Transparent
For nearly a month, the silence surrounding one of Washington’s most powerful Republicans has only fueled more questions, with speculation spreading far beyond the halls of Congress. Now, one of Sen. Mitch McConnell’s closest friends is publicly acknowledging those rumors and says there is one simple way to put many of them to rest.
CNN commentator and longtime McConnell ally Scott Jennings is urging the Kentucky senator’s office to provide a public update on his health, saying additional transparency would help end the growing speculation surrounding the 84-year-old Republican’s hospitalization.
McConnell has remained hospitalized since June 14, and his office has not disclosed why he was admitted or when he is expected to return to the Senate.
The limited information has led to widespread online speculation about his condition, including false rumors circulating on social media.
Jennings, who previously served as an adviser to McConnell, said earlier this week that he spoke with the senator by phone for nearly 20 minutes about current events.
On Friday, CNN clarified that Jennings’ account of the conversation reflected his personal experience and was not independent reporting by the network.
During Friday’s edition of The Source, host Kaitlan Collins asked Jennings whether McConnell was aware of the conspiracy theories circulating online.
“I don’t know how much of that he is personally aware of,” Jennings replied. “He’s never concerned himself much with internet chatter or conspiracy theories or frankly, what people think of him all that much.”
Jennings then revealed that he has encouraged McConnell’s staff to provide more information to the public.
“But I have told the people in his office that I am in regular contact with that I think some of the narrative around this is being driven by people who, frankly, are posting untrue, unhinged conspiracy theories, and that some transparency here would make a lot of it go away.”
He explained that he chose to publicly disclose his recent phone conversation because he believed many Americans had begun assuming the worst.
“To be honest with you, I was surprised when he called me, and one of the reasons I put out my tweet when I did my post, sorry, when I did, was that I just thought, hey, everybody sort of seems to think he’s either dead or not capable of chatting. And since I had talked to him, I thought that was valuable information.”
Jennings emphasized that he has no knowledge of McConnell’s medical condition or when the senator may return to work.
“Now, when he plans to go back to work, I have no idea. I don’t know anything about his medical records. I’m not his doctor. I’m not in his family, and I’m not in a position to make any pronouncements about that,” he said. “My advice has been a statement to the people of Kentucky on the day of or before the Senate goes back into session, would be highly appropriate.”
Earlier this week, President Donald Trump was also asked whether he had received any information about McConnell’s condition.
“I have no idea,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. “I have no idea how he’s doing.”
McConnell’s office has continued to say only that the senator is improving while receiving medical care and remains engaged in Senate business, but it has not released a diagnosis or announced when he may return to Capitol Hill, Mediaite reported.
As Congress prepares to reconvene, Jennings’ comments add to the growing bipartisan calls for greater transparency about the health of the longtime Kentucky senator, whose absence has now stretched for nearly a month.
