LogFAQs > #955735627

142. Marvin Gaye Whats Going On (1971)
from the album Whats Going On

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-kA3UtBj4M

Key lyrics:
Dont punish me
With brutality

In an era defined by protest songs, Whats Going On stands out by turning more to weariness than anger. While plenty of others preached peace, love, and understanding, Marvin Gaye frames it with the right amount of introspection. He knows this will not be an easy path but it is also the only real path to a better tomorrow. The sound remains downcast as Marvin Gaye pleas for people to listen. He directly addresses the audience through familial term; mother, brother, sister, father begin the verses and punctuate the chorus. To truly achieve change, Gaye knew everyone needed to play a part.

The production on Whats Going On signaled a new direction for soul music. The song starts with a chattering crowd, immediately suggesting an inner city atmosphere. The slower, melancholy tone was densely packed the emphasis was no longer on vocals but a complex soundscape. But thats not to say Marvin Gaye failed to deliver an era-defining performance. Inspired by a studio accident, he decided to layer his vocals, allowing key moments to split in two beautiful directions. The combination of this with the chatter and backing vocals creates a truly communal experience to tackle all these issues in one breath, Gaye crafted an all-encompassing sound.

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