every time I listen to the album now in 2023 and notice how timeless the music is and the lyrics are ("War is not the answer and only love can conquer hate") I get choked up and often cry a little.
it IS. But people may not know Gaye had experimented musically before. Early in his career he did an album on which covered songs by crooners like Frank Sinatra. As I recall though, people didn't like it.@@bobmartin1060
Give us old folks some credit. We knew exactly what this song was about in the day. Most of us supported it also. These issues have always been discussed.
The first Earth Day was in 1970. Marvin Gaye was reflecting the times, much to the chagrin of Motown chief Berry Gordy, who wanted his crew to focus on love, not political matters.
Time to go go down some rabbit holes. Food, big pharma, chem trails....out to harm us. I'm not buying into over population- God will provide. That's my opinion. Enjoyed the video. Listened to him when I was teenager
This classic album was made during the Vietnam War hence the subject matter. Part of the reason why this album is so revered (besides the good music) Marvin’s record label didn’t want him to release this album because before this Marvin was a sex symbol, seen as a ladies man but THIS ALBUM Marvin didn’t want to be known just for that, he had something to say, he felt he was more than just that (he was) so this ENTIRE ALBUM was addressing the current social/political issues at the time but his record label was worried about blowback by fans but Marvin didn’t care about that, eventually the label relented and released this album and to this day it’s considered one of Marvin’s greatest works, thanks for selecting this song, timeless classic.
It’s so crazy how when you become an adult you listen to the songs from this album completely different than when you were a kid. People don’t understand that the question mark wasn’t missing from the album cover. Marvin wasn’t asking the people what’s going on, he was TELLING us what’s going on and will continue to from each generation to the next until we do something about it... 🙏🏾
This was called The Ecology Song , back when it came out Marvin's second single (1971) .. Sadly Marvin was murdered by his father , killed by a 38 cal gunshot to the heart. The ecology movement started in the early 60s.. an offshoot from the movement that started in 1948 after the atomic bomb brought attention to radiation.
This song is on the classic ‘What’s going On’ album by Marvin Gaye. How much of a classic you might ask? Rolling Stone just recently ranked this #1 (out of 500) as the greatest album of all time! For good reason too, in 1971 it went #1 on the R&B charts for 5 weeks and #2 on the Main Charts (that’s ALL music no matter genre) it’s basically flawless!
Wow…wow…. I did not know that. In 1991 I gave this album (on CD) as a gift to my best friend forever whom I’d known for 20 years at that point. We’d listened to a lot of music together. I told him then that in my judgement, this album was the best album ever made. Knowing him so well, the look he gave me made me feel that he was disappointed, and I felt a a bit embarrassed. But I meant it. It’s good to have this validation so many years later. This listen today still brought tears to my eyes. Thanks for your comment.
Thanks for sharing, but do you really think these two legends are that ignorant? It’s 2022, and everyone knows how to use a search engine. Hope you feel smart though. Or old. ☮️
Remember that the very first Earth Day took place in 1969. I remember because I was a freshman in high school and all the students walked out of classes that day.
@@glassontherocks I don't know where you got those facts but that's not what reportedly happened. Gaye's father and mother were fighting over an insurance policy when Marvin stepped in. And so the answer to your question to me is NO rip in hell.
The sweet sound of Marvin's voice is a blessing to all. The man was extraordinary.Genius. What a message. "What about this overcrowded land,how much more abuse from man, can we stand." Everyone should listen to this whole album.It is a gift straight from the heart and soul of Marvin Gaye.He felt these words.Had to get it out there. Barry Gordy said yes. .
Earlier in his career, Marvin Gaye sang duets with a beautiful singer named Tammi Terrell. "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", You're All I Need to Get By", and "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing". were big hits for Motown. Sadly, Ms. Terrell would pass away at 24 from a brain tumor. RIP Marvin and Tammi.
Marvin and Tammi were perfect together. Their voices complimented each other so amazingly. She collapsed, on stage, into Marvin's arms and passed away tragically
Many of us had a full understanding of what he was singing/saying. Remember, in the 1950's and 1960's there was a"Cold War" on and we did school drills for a nuclear attack and "mutually assured destruction" was the theory that actually prevented a world wide nuclear war. Radiation was underground and in the air from hydrogen bomb testing. Oh yes, back in the day it was never far from our minds. I served in the military from '66 to '72 and was involved in preparation for an unimaginable nuclear war while I fought a real shooting war in Vietnam. It WAS those times and he was right on point.
The issues you mentioned and that he sang about have actually been going on for a long time. Back then we were terribly concerned with overpopulation, pollution, war and the impact it all had on the environment. So, nobody thought he was crazy. What's crazy is that things have only gotten worse.
We were making major progress until this current administration that has put us back more than 50 years and they don’t even know what they’re talking about. On top of that they’re clueless.
I am thrown back in time to when I was lucky enough to meet Marvin Gaye when he made his last trip to Europe . He was such a beautiful person . . He was describing all of the things that were worrying us at the time . Yesss. back then! We were living with the threat of which super power is going to press the big red button and annihilate us all. . so we were well aware of radiation poisoning. But besides wars there was also fear for the environment . Oil spills on the oceans , fish full of mercury. Don't think we didn't understand what he was talking about . Listen also to Queen's ''Hammer To Fall'' . But as for Marvin ..So sad for the world to have lost him far too soon
Anyone who grew up with Marvin Gaye's music knows and understands what he's talking about.. it's your generation who has to catch up with us, everything happening today we already lived through and we're far more advanced than what you think.
Yes we were talking about it back then and protesting about it.....Air Pollution was really bad back then ....one could see the brown smoke in the sky and we had smog alerts in school when the air was so bad...the schools would send children home. The water from the oceans was so polluted with radiation waste material from the Nuclear plants that fish and Sea Gulls were upon the shores dead. So, Marvin Gaye wrote a song about this and it was one of his most successful songs from the "What's Going On" Album which y'all need to react to.
No one, but no one, ever put it together the way Marvin Gaye did. We all miss him. Thank you Marvin for all you did, i still get teary eyed listening to you. Thank you for your music. RIP
When several Motown artists started to flex a little muscle, telling execs they wanted to do music their way, and not so formulaic as they the previous 10 years, their artists started generating some timeless and incredible stuff. This is clearly an example of Marvin getting to do it "his way". Timeless. Stevie Wonder's best music came once he was set free, too.
Her reaction was probably the realist reaction of all times. She heard exactly what he said and took it all in. Which is what Marvin wanted. He wasn’t crazy, he was a genius!
Marvin Gaye was the brightest star in the incredibly talented galaxy of Motown stars. Mere words fail at describing his talent and influence in the world of music. This song struck about the same time America was realizing that pollution and other environmental concerns needed to be acted upon before it was too late. This song was indeed the epitome of raising the nation's consciousness towards the ecology along with the efforts of so many who just wanted a cleaner and more natural world.
This is the R & B I grew up listening to on the radio & then LP’s at home. He has a very deep catalogue of great & soulful songs. Everything from political protests like this & “What’s Going On?” To super grooves like “ Got to Give It Up!”. Check them all out.✌️❤️🎶
yes we knew exactly what he was talking about because it was happening then and has reared it' s ugly head again. Listen to the lyrics of this entire album. He was not crazy and we were very conscience of what was and is.
Right on, we were the people they told to hide under our desks, we had drills for when, not if, the nuclear bombs went off. Those kids were us...... We dealt with more in our generation than any kids should ever have to..... Bomb shelters, the world turned upside down, everything changed movements protests, assassination, space age and rocket explosions, wars( plural), new technology, the rush to urbanized then the back to the land movement, drugs, sex and rock and roll, but our heads weren't spinning, we took it all in stride, it and much much more.... And Marvin Gaye sang it and we with him. And built the world of today, and " things ain't what they used to be, mercy, mercy me," it's a mess!!!
The full correct title of this song is "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)." It was released in 1971, the same year we celebrated the first-ever "Earth Day." Marvin Gaye became the voice of a generation starting with his single "What's Going On." This was on the same album.
This song and the whole, What’s Going On album is a masterpiece. The ladies you’re hearing are The Andantes, Louvain Demps, Marlene Barrow-Tate and Jackie Hicks. The lady featured at the end is Jackie Hicks. Check them out, they are part of more hit songs than anyone ever has been or likely ever will be.
YES we did have an appreciation back then for EXACTLY what he is talking about. The concerns and struggles have been going on that long! Like many some of the leading thought and and enlighten concerns seem to have been lost with a lack learned history replaced by vid games and cellphone social life ....... Sorry to rant but to many of us what we are going threw now we been going threw for 60 years
The incredible thing about this song (and the entire album for that matter) is just how prophetic AND relevant it remains today. This particular song was one of the first to really address the ecology. I mean, environmental concerns were only starting to be spoken about in the late '60s but it wasn't in the mainstream. Marvin used to say that WHAT'S GOING ON wasn't done by him, it was done by God. This particular song isn't the best example of it but even when singing about the gritty realities of the world the music and style takes on a religious bent and the overtly religious songs weren't exclusive but rather INCLUSIVE wanting to spread love and share love to and for the world.
Marvin Gaye's record company did not want to release his album "What's Going On" because it was so different from the usual Motown sound and the album is now considered one of the greatest albums in music history.
Have you heard all three of the Marvin Trilogy now: "What'"s Going On", "Mercy Mercy Me" and "Make Me Wanna Holler" ? and yes they thought he was waaay out there... He had to fight with Motown to get this record released
What a talent. Loved him. Thanks for this one! And, yes. We were talking about ecological issues back in the day. Nobody thought Marvin Gaye was crazy. We knew exactly what he was talking about and agreed with him!
I Knew These Kind Hearted & Talented People Growing Up..So Many MUST HEAR Classics,, Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose "It's Too Late To Turn Back Now" & "Treat Her Like A Lady"
One of the greatest albums ever, not just because it's some of the best RnB ever from one of best voices ever....but because its an album that held a very important message for everybody going forward after a tumultuous 60's. Marvin and others ushered that in with their prophetic words of peace and reconciliation. I think the rest of the 70's music reflects that connecting of cultures beautifully. His reference to radioactive above and below (I believe) refers to the fact that we were still knee deep in this "cold (nuclear) war" with Russia, when nukes were on subs and attached to airplanes....and on constant stand-by while our "leaders" beat their chests for 40 years, arguing who had the biggest "junk".
One of the best albums of all time that should be listened to as a whole. He did things like overdub his own voice. Very social conscious and prophetic. Truly one of our best artists of all time. Conflicted in his beliefs as his father was a preacher and ultimately killed him. Many of his songs are sexual in nature. He exuded sexuality and was truly a genius way ahead of his time. Rest In Peace Marvin and thank you .
Asia you are so on the money! - Marvin was heavily into what was then called the ecology of the planet. In fact, this song was subtitled 'The Ecology'. As you both rightly stated , Marvin Gaye was way ahead of his time. Im a 65 year old British guy who had the rare privilege of seeing Marvin perform live in London, England. I can tell you that it was a life changing experience. He was a beautiful soul with the most amazing vocal talent ever. This song i believe is circa 1969/70. I clearly recall, 10 years later, Marvin being interviewed on a British radio station. The interviewer asked him about this song and his feelings regarding what we nowadays refer to as Global Warming. He said, it breaks my heart that things have only got worse, not better. I never forgot the sadness in his voice. You are both wonderful people. Peace and love 🙏🏼Aden, UK.
"What's going on" One of the best albums produced ever ! Marvin Gaye was beautiful. To give perspective Greenpeace was formed in 1971 and yes the environment was very much on peoples minds . hence the regs in the auto industry destroying the American muscle car.
this song is listed as Mercy Mercy ME (the ecology song) on the album , that the official title,, great great tune as all of Marvin,s music is , this song he was inspired by the Lennon & McCartney , saying we don,t need to write all the songs about love, social change was a big thing in music then, and he was one of the first to be singing about it, peace guys
Another fantastic song from the GREATEST DECADE OF MUSIC - the 70's...... You can't deny it! All this wonderful music radiated through our radio 📻 speakers 🔊 every second of every day for 10 glorious years (and prior to and beyond) by these great artists. You can make a lifetime of your casts just covering ALL the music (Rock, R&B, Disco) of the 70's! I am so lucky and blessed to have grown up during that decade.
Marvin Gaye will always be my no 1, his track ' what's going on ' is my no 1 track and the whole album til the day I die ❤❤❤ for something different from him, try '' This Love Starved Heart '' its a classic '' Northern Soul '' track here in the UK ❤
Thanks Asia and BJ for the reaction! My wife and I absolutely love this song and the entire What's Going On album. We immediately bought when it came out in 71. We even recorded it on tape and sent it to her brother who was serving in Vietnam. The album is what's called a concept album with each song segueing into the next. The songs are being told from the perspective of a Vietnam Vet returning home and seeing all that's wrong. It stayed at the top of the charts for a year. Berry Gordy didn't want to record it saying it was to socially conscious. But Marvin convinced him and the rest is history. In 2020 Rolling Stone Magazine ranked it number one on their list of the 500 hundred Greatest Albums of all Time. We still play the album. It is timeless. Thanks again!
Marvin Gaye and his music have been my guiding spirit and helped me on how to think and feel. The man was a genius and forever a true music legend. Glad you felt his music, his soul, your soul.
This song is from 1971. Back then I was a teenager and we were at the 1st Earth Day in Central Park in 1970. We wanted to recycle bottles like we were advised to do. Our parents copped attitude and told us garbage is garbage and recycling was nonsense…..yeah. Marvin told it like it was. I always understood those voices at the end to be a cry for help against killing our Earth. That’s just my opinion, not fact! Well, here we are…
Marvin was so ahead of his time. He sang of war, environment, racism, poverty and police violence back in the 70s. If you haven’t already done so, please have a listen to What’s Going On. It is a song that people should be singing and listening to now. Marvin was a genius and went against Berry Gordy to record What’s Going On. Thank you for your great reactions. Appreciate you both. 👏👏
This whole album is an out of body experience. A masterpiece of masterpieces. And of course we knew what he was talking about, the late 60-‘s into the 70’s was the peace and love era, and awareness of the earth and what was going on with the environment And 50 years later we are still Messig things up.
Marvin is a LEGEND. His music has been in my house as long as I can remember. I remember my dad would play music on my radio every Sat morning and Marvin's greatest hits CD was in his playlist. He played every song too.
The issues in this song were known at the time but too many people were thinking they could put it off because it would be so far in the future. Few people saw the urgency of acting now. Fifty years seemed far in the future to some people. Well, that future is now. A saying at the time: There is no Planet B. Yes. Marvin Gaye was definitely ahead of the curve.
We totally understood what he was saying about this system. Nobody thought he was crazy. His music was powerful and the message only got stronger over the years. Yes you young folks are just now breathing in what we baby boomers have known for decades. As now, back then big corporations was the problem. In this world money comes before everything. Including you and I. Marvin was a beautiful writer and performer.🥰🥰🥰👌🏾🎵🎶🎼
Marvin was very spiritual, in touch with mankind/lack of humanity. Very aware of what was going on. Barry G of Motown didn’t even want him to do What’s Going On. He found it to be too controversial. This is a lesson to us all to speak the truth even if it is offensive to others. This music during the 60’s-70’s gave us , black ppl so much hope, encouragement, joy,etc. Now in my 70+ I see and hear what is being fed to Our younger generation in their music…it makes me sad! By the way, I love the two of you sharing your reactions to the oldies. Thanks.
INNER CITY BLUES by him!! Love you see you both hear that. If you haven't already, of course. Was a big part of *Four Brothers* soundtrack. Mark W, Tyrese, and Andre 3000. Badass flick badass music.
This was Marvin's social issues album. People were talking about these issues even back then, and everyone knew what it was about. We didn't think he was crazy, we thought he was a genius.The entire album, What's Going On, is a masterpiece. You should listen to the entire album at one time. It's a journey for sure.
Exactly! At the time Barry Gordy (head of Motown Records) was not even going to release it because he said it was TOO political, Marvin told him he would refuse to do anything else if they didn’t release it (remember at the time Marvin was one of the label’s top stars!) eventually the label released it and today it’s considered one of Marvin’s greatest works!