Marvin Gaye: What's Going On - Lex Fridman and Rick Rubin react
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- Опубліковано 12 кві 2022
- Lex Fridman Podcast full episode: • Rick Rubin: Legendary ...
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Rick Rubin is one of the greatest music producers of all time, working with many of the greats including Beastie Boys, Eminem, Metallica, LL Cool J, Kanye West, Slayer, Tom Petty, Johnny Cash, Dixie Chicks, Aerosmith, Adele, Danzig, Red Hot Chili Peppers, System of a Down, Jay-Z, Black Sabbath.
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People don’t realise just how crucial the bass is on this song. It’s not only the back bone of the whole song, the way the bass melody and Marvin’s vocals connect is just perfect
James Jamerson. He basically wrote the book on the electric bass. Possibly THE most influential bass player
It's amazing how underrated the bass guitar is.
I can't specifically hear the bass, but I know it's there.
He laid it down, laying down, and drunk. Haha
Marvins brother Frankie came back from the Vietnam war. Frankie was reluctant to share his experience overseas, but Marvin insisted and upon hearing what Frankie experienced he was inspired to write "Whats Going On?" What an album.
He didn’t write the song what’s going on, it was written for him
@@charliels3199 Marvin co wrote “what’s going on” :) such a great album.
@@charliels3199 definitely co wrote it
I think he actually wrote the second track "What's Happening Brother" based on what Frankie had told him, the song is essentially about a black soldier returning from Vietnam and trying to figure out how the world is now he's come back
Along with co-composer James Nyx Jnr., Marvin Gaye co-wrote the song "What's Happening Brother" specifically based around the return from Vietnam, of his brother Frankie.
One of the best albums ever. He had the best voice ever
mj a million times more famous bigger and better vocalist
Michael could sing, maybe the best overall entertainer ever to walk earth but no one sings like Marvin. I love MJ though
pretty much exactly what Lex said in this clip. thanks, Eric.
@@ericchilders9234 Steve Perry is a better singer without doubt
Theirs so much to love about Rick, but 3 moments that get me I this clip:
1. You can tell he loves to spread the joy of music.
It's a beautiful moment when he realises he can share some new music with Lex. The cheeky knowing smile and glint in his eye shows how genuine and passionate he really is.
2. His silent groove when he listens to music is so relatable.
eyes closed to switch of distractions, a gentle bobbing that you could keep going for hrs and hrs and a warm loving smile.
3. You can tell he respects the music to much to talk over it, but yet he's not a snob that he won't add comments or thoughts when lex is talking to him.
James Jameson' bass lines rumbling throughout the entire album. Marvins voice and spirit... There's nothing else quite like What's going on...
Rick is so keyed into the experience of music. Deep appreciation.
One of the greatest albums to be Produced in the history of recorded music. The reason is because of how it all cohesively connected sonically. I've listened to it so many times over the years and what struck me is the over all connotations of the melancholy inflections within his creative vocal delivery. It's just shear Genius. You really belive when he emotes about Flying High in a friendy Sky.. You want to go there with him. I would play it every Sunday at one point . Studied his inflections and how he emotes. Marvin told Smokey Robinson that God was helping him write it. I'm paraphrasing. But, that's how he meant it.
I am so amazed at how many people from so many different walks of life, cherish Marvin Gaye. His lyrics, his back up vocals, his instrumentation. King of kings. First time I heard him I was 10. I am now 63 and I listen to Marvin each and every day. Gone, but never forgotten. ❤
James Jameson the legendary Mo Town bass player who never got the credit he deserved on countless Mo Town Tracks played the bass on this album. His pioneering baselines is still influencing current bass players in bands or electronic music. He had one Fender P bass, used the same string for years and played bass with one finger on his right hand. He died unheralded and broke. A tragic hero.
And he was drunk out of his mind when he cut this track.
I feel like current bass players have tons of respect for him.
Marvin Gaye used to love football and hung out with the Detroit Lions. Those are the voices we hear in the intro, greeting each other in a real way. This song (alas!) is fully relevant today, lyrics and music. Perfect 👌🏻
The album has transcended time. It’s so raw and powerful, it gets me emotional every time I listen
Marvin Gaye just blows my mind every time I listen to him ♥️♥️🔥🔥🔥♥️👌👌👌👍👍👋👋🔥🔥🇿🇦🇿🇦
This album is a masterpiece, a moment in time in music. It is so real and beautiful. One of my favourites. Thank you.
Such a vibe. This song will be heard by our children’s descendants as they traverse the stars.
doubt itll be listened to after a while
@@AC-mp7cx really hope you’re wrong
This is by far one of the greatest albums ever made. I heard it for the first time back in 2008. I was 18 and this album blew my damn mind!
That album is still so cutting edge. It’s just sad that we haven’t made more progress as humans since it’s release.
Glass half empty
Heaps of progress has been made, in the wrong direction
My friend and I were just talking about how all the issues discussed on this album are still so relevant today.
I disagree wholeheartedly. Maybe BLM and the lefties have regressed, but the real world has improved drastically.
@@jamesalexander8872 wow. thanks for that detailed response. it is clear you have thought deeply about the world. do you have a published book, peer-reviewed journal article, conference paper, youtube video, high school book report you can share with us. please i want to learn from you. don't deny us of your gaint intellect...
I remember on a major televised event, Smokey Robinson said it was the greatest album of all time.
Smokey might be right.
He is
once i was tripping on mushrooms and skate-danced to this song for an hour or so and then went back to my apartment and listened to it some more but crying on the floor lol
This is poetry!
Marvin Gaye had a #1 song in the 50s 60s 70s and 80s
I think the real reason "What's Going On?" is # 1 on RS Top 500 albums is because it is such a jarring departure from all of Marvin Gaye's previous albums that had so many love songs. This album came out of so much pain and anguish for Gaye, he had an unsuccessful suicide attempt, his brother was in the Vietnam War and shared letters of the strocities and wrong over there and then returned to a country with little regard, Tami Terrell succumb to brain cancer, Gaye suffered in seclusion and depression. And then the nation was in racial and political upheaval during 1965-1970. The race riots. The murders. The assassinations. "What's Going On?", the album and song, were one of a kind works of art.
"losing love is exciting. That means you've really cared. That means you've felt something. And you feel something. You can sit in that pain, and that pain is a reminder of what it means to be Human" I listened to that a few times. It can not be said better. Thank you Lex. Keep living your best life
Pretty good considering Lex knows we all know he is a robot...
Rick is so much more than a producer, he has helped so many artists find themselves.
I'm glad Rick said that. People don't understand that what happened between Marvin and his father was much more complicated than they think (the media simplified it). Marvin was depressed and suicidal. He gave his father the gun he was shot with.
In the song, Marvin is going through members of a family: Mother - too many crying, Brother - too many dying. Then, he's talking about the escalation of the Vietnam War and he addresses Father (the military?, the President?). With Marvin, God is always involved.
One of my favorite albums of all time. So glad you covered this Lex.
It honestly warms my heart so much to listen to lex friedman chop it up with rick ruben about marvin gaye. Obviously im biased because its my favorite album of all time, but this made me smile and put a warm feeling in my chest way long after it came out. ❤
the fact that lex loves soul music makes me love lex even more
I like how this guest just listens carefully when the other person talks. He’s completely focused and doesn’t interrupt at all until the end when he has all his thoughts together.
You know he’s Rick Rubin, right?
Rick Rubin is genius.
@@aaronwinter1092 Just learning more about the guy now, wasnt familiar with him before.
@@battlesofantiquity7449 he produced some of the best albums in the last few decades
@@Hu1ud yeah I watched the mac Miller episode on him and some other stuff
my great cousin wrote this… so amazing. Love that music runs through my family. RIP Obie
Obie Benson was a legend! RIP ❤
What’s Going On (1971 Album): The Lex Fridman Commentary, available now on Audible and Spotify. With hits such as ‘subtle back in vocals’, ‘this one hurts’ and ‘haha’, you don’t want to miss it!
Beautiful album. I heard the title track as a child in the 1970s on a compilation and loved the harmonies and chord choices... when I learned piano years later I was taken with the jazziness of the chords with the use of the 7ths, 9ths, 11ths and so on.. Stevie Wonder was the same... songs with meaning and great music with interesting harmonic movement.
Now this is some good shit.
This album is just a work of art from start to end.
Pure genius.
How the heck did you get Rick Rubin to do a whole podcast with you???! Gold. Pure Gold!
The bass line is soo powerful on this track! By far one of the greatest of all time
Marvin Gaye was very important to those of us fighting and protesting anti-war, civil and equal rights for all people's. His music is relevant today.
Wow. Emotional. Thanks for sharing Lex, and for all you do.
I'd answer Fridman on a singular point that there is a certain appropriate rhythm and song that occurs, in a spectacular fashion, during a very early part of the sample he brought up as an example.
This is a fantastic interview.
They really don't make music like this anymore that touches the very bottom of your soul...my gosh this album was brilliant
Greatest album of all time by easily the GOAT singer and lyricist
This convo is funny to me because Lex is so analytical but the song probably wasn’t that well thought out. My guess is he was singing what was in his heart. Helps that he had one of the best voices ever. RIP to the legend
Another phenomenal album my Marvin is also “I want you”
Such a beautiful album, not story driven so much but just beautiful sounding
Thanks for the tip on the Detroit mix!! I'll check it out 🙌
I’ve always seen the father as the previous generation to Marvins. The men deciding to send his generation to war and not understanding why they disagree with war since it meant so much to WW2 vets and Korean War vets.
Exactly. For me father is politicians - old men and their egos sending boys and young men to die
One of my favourite albums of all time.
live version of the album is so amazing too
James Jamerson playing the bassline & Marvin Gaye at his peak, pitching 99 on the paint. Doesn’t get any better
Something that speaks the truth is both painfull and transcending at the same time. Depending on your mood you either feel the wrongs and the problems with our society or the very simple steps we need to take to heal ourselves, the simple truth is that we aren't together, we have a lot to learn, learning is about making mistakes and we aren't good at listening or accepting we might be wrong, instead we band together in groups that fit our understanding or comfort, hence the title of this song is so important, whats going on? We feel but we don't understand each other, even incapable of understaning anothers environment or struggle. BUT some of us are listening and trying to understand, and that is all we can ask of ourselves. If you like this try listening to Funakadelics ' good thoughts/bad thoughts' and try to be kind to yourself first, then spread that love you hold once you understand 😘 its complicated but I know we care, we can make it work. Luv ya all 😘
Honestly one of the greatest albums ever made, this and I Want You album START TO FINISH are masterpieces not a single bad song !
I always took "father" as the generation before him, the ones who ushered the wars his generation would suffer from
I always took it as Marvin talking to God.
@@plym1969he's not talking to God. He's talking to all humankind. Mother, brother, father, sister
Marvin s voice contains one of the most unique sounds soulful inspiring prophetic his take on the world is quite reflective of the problems of the world and comes with the solution only love can conquer hate, Love is the answer Marvin does an amazing job of making us reflect off the state of the world and how are we letting this fragile environment to the next generation, what is going on, is a statement that seas what happened to us when did we become so distant a disconnected when did love fade away and let room to hate violence and envy and greed for more material positions and why do we need material positions to reflect our value in society, does having more then we need makes us valued by society or envied, Marvin makes us reflect. and not many songs do that anymore
There is something different in the voices back then. They meant those words. And it was truly soul.
I first heard that album in 1987, on cassette, and listened to it on my Walkman nonstop, the whole album, over and over. Even now, I can't listen to a single song. The whole album is like a funky, soulful, spiritual symphony.
Glad I'm subscribed to channel
Great show
Thank you
6:08
That’s what up! Couldn’t have said it better
So poignant, thank you for talking about one of my most favourite songs of all time.
I really like the Robert Palmer cover, too.
♥️
robert palmer singing "mercy mercy me - i want you" live on arsenio hall. phew. he lit up the room! what an homage.
He means GOD i THINK.....Lex that was a perfect opening to 1:34 I agree maybe one of the best songs ever. I sing it 4 nights a week as a musician and wonder why I even try but I love the song so much. Mercy Mercy Me is amazing also.. The Accapella versions can be found on you tube with only him and James Jamerson on Bass. ALSO BEFORE I FORGET I still get goose bumps when I hear him sing the National Anthem for the NBA ALL STAR GAME......you have to hear that.
Brilliant interview. Let reaffirms my faith in youth
'Lex'
There is a version of this song that I heard a long time ago on a CD or possibly a cassette, from a series roughly titled "Santana's Favorite Bootlegs" -- you all need to hear that live performance 😀
Yo this conversation is amazing wtf why have I not seen this?
Who are you talking to
@@tristandavid2343 myself
Mercy Mercy Me has been my song this year
wiki goes into depth of the song's composition and meaning
Had never the Detroit Mix. Thanks for this, Rick!
Awesome video
Toda
Blessings brother
Shabbat Shalom
S/O Lex AI Fridman, S/O Ricky Rock n Roll Ruben
RIP Marvin Gaye🙏🏽
I’m vibing with this.
Love it. Also check out live version from Donny Hathaway, so killin’!!
Yes. The only other really true version.
Marvin Gaye Live Montrose. Double album, 🔥.
It's not the man Marvin that sings. It's the soul that sings. Marvin is just the instrument. The sound Marvin hears through the instrument was always there, everlasting. You can't teach that. One has to be as free and open as the sky. His human side was always in equal conflict. Sometimes it won.. It's no wonder he was so tormented. Nevertheless, he is here, as peace.
Great song 🎶
The political situation was calling more soldiers as escalation. I think Gaye was referring to political leadership as father and pleading to them not to escalate. That’s what it felt like when it came out.
JAMES JAMERSON ON THAT BASS. JUICY
The discussion about Lennon is interesting. He was a dark cynical individual that genuinely tried to do good. He was the type of person that would be completely captured by an idea for a short period of time, then realize it wasn´t it. I imagine that he thought you could improve on the issues of religion, nationality, money, but I do think people take him too literally when listening to Imagine. Lennon wasn´t a naive person, he was quite the opposite. He had been to hell and back, he knew firsthand how hard it was to do good. If you look back at what Lennon was fighting for in the late 60s and early 70s, it turns out that most of it has become normal today, it´s accepted across the political spectrum. So even though he was hounded for his beliefs back then, it turns out in most cases, he was ahead of his time.
Lex Fridman looks like a character in the movie Reservoir Dogs... Mr.Grey
one of my most fave albums of all time.
I stopped this clip once they mentioned the Detroit Mix and listened to it in its entirety. Wow wow wow is all I can say! Much more nuanced than the original version.
You can hear the passion and love in his music something that’s being lost
He’s talking about the founding “fathers” or more so “father” in the masculine sense of the country’s leadership
Correct
Exactly!
How have only 51k people seen this? That's a shame. Interesting info on one of the greats.
however you look at it this is a surreal moment....
this is lex's theme song.
Marvin's transition from love songs to protest songs is epic
His protest songs were love songs…..
@@kbraker510 care to elaborate?
@@kbraker510 I mean I get what you're saying in a way but my point was if you compare his early songs to the latter, there's a very clear difference and focus on not only love but suffering
Sad Tomorrow is one of the greatest songs by Marvin Gaye that most people aren't aware of.
That's an early version of Flyin' High (In The Friendly Sky). Pretty much the same song with a different lead vocal take and song title.
I have more than 7,000 albums. This is my favorite album. War, historically, has always existed in the masculine realm. That is why his entreaty is to "father".
Can someone tell me who Lex is?? I came across his clips and have just kept watching. They've been over a huge variety of topics. What I've been struck by is how Lex is able to ask thoughtful questions over such a broad spectrum of issues. He gets it. And matches his guests' energy incredibly well. I'm hooked.
Best Marvin Gaye album ever, Live at the London Palladium
James Jamerson.
Incomparable
Just started learning bass and instantly gravitated towards him
What’s going on imo one of my favourites, but mercy mercy me is something else
Great album
He was talking about Vietnam,the picket signs etc......
Beautiful music from one of God’s great creations. RIP the legendary Marvin Gaye
Best ever ....magic!
wonderful conversation, wonderful music
Save the Country (1969) by the great Laura Nyro, about Vietnam, the Kennedy's and Martin Luther King written in the language style of MLK's great speeches. Nyro's Christmas in My Soul (1970) is even more profound. A Bronx teenage genius the greatest true artist in contemporary music.
Lex you gotta listen to the Detroit mix!!
Have both albums/cd's. Amazing. I miss the Motown sounds.
Rick's head bop is dope
Marvin be the Man!
Can somebody please tell those guys Marvin Gaye was singing about Vietnam it was recorded during the Vietnam war he was talking about the war the mothers were crying their sons were dying
I have been saying for years, why no movie on his life?
There’s was like 10 sec of Rick talking lol