Marvin Gaye - What's Going On (1971)
Genre - Soul
What's Going On was the eighth studio album by American Soul musician Marvin Gaye. The album was released on May 21, 1971.
What's Going On - Opening the album comes the title track What's Going On. The Funk Brothers do a nice job on this song with the jazz inspired tune. A party can be heard in the background of the song. Throughout What's Going On, Marvin Gaye is singing the lead and backing vocals. This song is well known for it's major seventh and minor seventh chords. Overall What's Going On is one of my top three favorite songs on the album. 9.5/10
What's Happening Brother - A lot of the songs on the album can relate to a lot of the problems in the world today. Are things really getting better like the newspaper says? What else is new my friend but what I read? The lyrics to the song are inspired about a man who has returned from the Vietnam War, only to see that the country he once knew is not the same anymore. On this song The Andantes are doing the backing vocals, and once again The Funk Brothers are on the main instruments. What's Happening Brother is a good song but it is a bit short and leaves you wanting more. 9/10
Flyin' High (In the Friendly Sky) - Marvin is back on doing the dual singing of lead and backing vocals here. To put it simple the song is about drug addiction. The drug of choice here is heroin. Originally this song was an earlier mix of the song Sad Tomorrows. Marvin Gaye is singing in falsetto throughout the song, which sounds very soothing. 8.5/10
Save the Children - Who really cares? Save the Children. Wow for an atheist person I really love this album. Marvin Gaye sings lead vocals as well as speaks the words throughout the song, The Andantes and The Funk Brothers are here once again. Really relaxing song right here. 8/10
God Is Love - Would have to be my least favorite song on the album. The song is good but it is to short. 6.5/10
Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) -Mercy Mercy Me is the song that sky rocketed this album into the charts. Marvin Gaye plays piano here, as well as doing some additional backing vocals with The Andantes. The true highlight of this however is the sax solo by Wild Bill Moore. 10/10
Right On - Right On is the longest track on the album clocking in at 7:31. The song features some cool instruments such as maracas, a flute, and a jazz-style piano, that is played by Marvin Gaye. The song has a very Latin Soul like feel to it. 9/10
Wholy Holy - Hey this song was featured in the Cosby Show. Just a little fun fact. An okay song but it gets boring after a few listens. 6.5/10
Inner City Blues (Makes Me Wanna Holler) - The best song on the album in my opinion is saved for last. Inner City Blues happens to be my favorite Marvin Gaye song. The song was recorded in a mellow funk style with Marvin playing on the piano. Aside from The Funk Brothers, Eddie "Bongo" Brown, and bassist Bob Babbitt are featured on this song. The lyrics to this song deal with the ghettos of Inner City America. Overall Inner City Blues is a magnificent song. 10/10
Overall - Throughout music history there are albums that are timeless that many would consider perfect. The Beatles - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds, Michael Jackson - Thriller, Stevie Wonder - Songs in the Key of Life, and a few others. Marvin Gaye's What's Going On is on that level. It is a truly great album.
Trivia - Many of the songs on the album would be covered in later years. What's Going On has been covered by many musicians such as Cyndi Lauper, Justin Timberlake, Wyclef Jean, Nelly Furtado, and many more. Inner City Blues (Makes Me Wanna Holler) has been covered by the bands Sevendust and The Mayfield Four.
Genre - Soul
What's Going On was the eighth studio album by American Soul musician Marvin Gaye. The album was released on May 21, 1971.
What's Going On - Opening the album comes the title track What's Going On. The Funk Brothers do a nice job on this song with the jazz inspired tune. A party can be heard in the background of the song. Throughout What's Going On, Marvin Gaye is singing the lead and backing vocals. This song is well known for it's major seventh and minor seventh chords. Overall What's Going On is one of my top three favorite songs on the album. 9.5/10
What's Happening Brother - A lot of the songs on the album can relate to a lot of the problems in the world today. Are things really getting better like the newspaper says? What else is new my friend but what I read? The lyrics to the song are inspired about a man who has returned from the Vietnam War, only to see that the country he once knew is not the same anymore. On this song The Andantes are doing the backing vocals, and once again The Funk Brothers are on the main instruments. What's Happening Brother is a good song but it is a bit short and leaves you wanting more. 9/10
Flyin' High (In the Friendly Sky) - Marvin is back on doing the dual singing of lead and backing vocals here. To put it simple the song is about drug addiction. The drug of choice here is heroin. Originally this song was an earlier mix of the song Sad Tomorrows. Marvin Gaye is singing in falsetto throughout the song, which sounds very soothing. 8.5/10
Save the Children - Who really cares? Save the Children. Wow for an atheist person I really love this album. Marvin Gaye sings lead vocals as well as speaks the words throughout the song, The Andantes and The Funk Brothers are here once again. Really relaxing song right here. 8/10
God Is Love - Would have to be my least favorite song on the album. The song is good but it is to short. 6.5/10
Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) -Mercy Mercy Me is the song that sky rocketed this album into the charts. Marvin Gaye plays piano here, as well as doing some additional backing vocals with The Andantes. The true highlight of this however is the sax solo by Wild Bill Moore. 10/10
Right On - Right On is the longest track on the album clocking in at 7:31. The song features some cool instruments such as maracas, a flute, and a jazz-style piano, that is played by Marvin Gaye. The song has a very Latin Soul like feel to it. 9/10
Wholy Holy - Hey this song was featured in the Cosby Show. Just a little fun fact. An okay song but it gets boring after a few listens. 6.5/10
Inner City Blues (Makes Me Wanna Holler) - The best song on the album in my opinion is saved for last. Inner City Blues happens to be my favorite Marvin Gaye song. The song was recorded in a mellow funk style with Marvin playing on the piano. Aside from The Funk Brothers, Eddie "Bongo" Brown, and bassist Bob Babbitt are featured on this song. The lyrics to this song deal with the ghettos of Inner City America. Overall Inner City Blues is a magnificent song. 10/10
Overall - Throughout music history there are albums that are timeless that many would consider perfect. The Beatles - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds, Michael Jackson - Thriller, Stevie Wonder - Songs in the Key of Life, and a few others. Marvin Gaye's What's Going On is on that level. It is a truly great album.
Trivia - Many of the songs on the album would be covered in later years. What's Going On has been covered by many musicians such as Cyndi Lauper, Justin Timberlake, Wyclef Jean, Nelly Furtado, and many more. Inner City Blues (Makes Me Wanna Holler) has been covered by the bands Sevendust and The Mayfield Four.