This song hit hard then and still does today. Sadly, we're heading the wrong way today. Peace & Love are all we'll ever need - too bad so many just can't get that.
Marvin Gaye had to fight tooth and nail with Motown owner Berry Gordy to record a message song about what was happening out there in the real world. When this became a hit Gordy relented and suddenly the Motown roster was singing more than just well crafted pop songs about love. For the artists it was important to speak but for Gordy it was always about the money. Marvin's influence for this song was Ronaldo Benson telling him about a bloody police response to a protest in Berkeley. Marvin's bro Frankie also sent him tough combat letters from Vietnam. A great era for message music like Curtis Mayfield , Sly Stone, James Brown, Gil Scott Heron, Aretha, The Staples, Last Poets.....Keep on it man !
I had sang this song in my senior year in High School. What's going on, mercy mercy, me, Inner city blues, Let's get it on, After the dance, Get it together, Anger, and Life's for learning. All these songs from Marvin Gaye it really helped me get through some tough times in my life.
This song is so phrophetic. Everything Marvin sang about in 1971, stands true for today, more than ever. This song was a game changer for Marvin. He had to fight Berry Gordy to record this because Gordy found it to controversial. Marvin was deeply concerned about Vietnam because he had a brother fighting in that war. CNN did a special last year on the importance of this song. Thanks so much for reacting to this classic. 👏👏👏
Finding the gems. And as diane says below as relevant today as back in 1971. Vietnam was raging (we have Russia invading Ukraine) along with the war protests. Civil and voting rights were still being fought for. Groovin' Marvin brought this beautiful R&B song to America and really got a lot of people out of their comfort zone and thinking more liberally. Iconic.
It's a protest song; it's that simple and that relevant. What makes it so sad and the melancholy that 'we' feel is that it was created and released more than half a century ago, and nothing has changed. What this song does, whether a protest song or otherwise, places the condition of our society in our hands. We own it; it's up to us to improve the world, not contribute to "what's going on..."
Marvin was the s##t man, I see below a couple of songs from this album would be good ones. I'm sure you've heard of Stevie Wonder but if your not familiar with his music, that's a great rabbit hole also. His vocals are sick. A suggestion would be Higher Ground or Living For The City, but his discography is large. Have a good one.
This entire album is one of the greatest ever!
Every voice is Marvin Gaye.
This song hit hard then and still does today. Sadly, we're heading the wrong way today. Peace & Love are all we'll ever need - too bad so many just can't get that.
Marvin Gaye had to fight tooth and nail with Motown owner Berry Gordy to record a message song about what was happening out there in the real world. When this became a hit Gordy relented and suddenly the Motown roster was singing more than just well crafted pop songs about love. For the artists it was important to speak but for Gordy it was always about the money. Marvin's influence for this song was Ronaldo Benson telling him about a bloody police response to a protest in Berkeley. Marvin's bro Frankie also sent him tough combat letters from Vietnam. A great era for message music like Curtis Mayfield , Sly Stone, James Brown, Gil Scott Heron, Aretha, The Staples, Last Poets.....Keep on it man !
One of the greatest ever, and his story breaks my heart.
Marvin wrote this as a protest song on the war in Viet Nam
"Only love can conquer hate." If we all could live this every day. A changed world would emerge.
Well and there's not much love today...
Marvin was some kind of special. RIP. 🙏🍁
Great album!
Good catch on the voice and music. Marvin made some seriously sexy music and songs, but this is the one that has made differences in the world.
what's going on will change your life if you let it.
So tragic how he was taken from this world. His songs make me tear up every time.
I was a rock, prog fan, but loved Marvin Gaye.
Ohh,his voice, his words are just pure!! I really miss him.
a powerful message that we need more of today
"war is not the answer, for only love can conquer hate" ❤️
This song is in my top 5 all time.....he had more soul in his finger than artists today. Love that you hear the lyrics......
Goosebumps all over, with this great song. One of the best soul voices of all times.
❤️❤️❤️🎶🎶🎶👍
I had sang this song in my senior year in High School. What's going on, mercy mercy, me, Inner city blues, Let's get it on, After the dance, Get it together, Anger, and Life's for learning. All these songs from Marvin Gaye it really helped me get through some tough times in my life.
Inner City Blues is another great song from Marvin!
This song is so phrophetic. Everything Marvin sang about in 1971, stands true for today, more than ever. This song was a game changer for Marvin. He had to fight Berry Gordy to record this because Gordy found it to controversial. Marvin was deeply concerned about Vietnam because he had a brother fighting in that war. CNN did a special last year on the importance of this song. Thanks so much for reacting to this classic. 👏👏👏
Finding the gems. And as diane says below as relevant today as back in 1971. Vietnam was raging (we have Russia invading Ukraine) along with the war protests. Civil and voting rights were still being fought for. Groovin' Marvin brought this beautiful R&B song to America and really got a lot of people out of their comfort zone and thinking more liberally. Iconic.
Next suggestion: Marvin Gaye with Tami Terrel, “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”, and "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing".
Well said dude - great reaction - Peace
Getting into some legendary stuff now, my mom used to love the motown sound and all the later great black music that came out of America.
It's a protest song; it's that simple and that relevant. What makes it so sad and the melancholy that 'we' feel is that it was created and released more than half a century ago, and nothing has changed. What this song does, whether a protest song or otherwise, places the condition of our society in our hands. We own it; it's up to us to improve the world, not contribute to "what's going on..."
You should listen to Let's Git It On by Marvin Gaye.
👍👍👍👍
Marvin was the s##t man, I see below a couple of songs from this album would be good ones. I'm sure you've heard of Stevie Wonder but if your not familiar with his music, that's a great rabbit hole also. His vocals are sick. A suggestion would be Higher Ground or Living For The City, but his discography is large. Have a good one.
A highly symbolic song considering that he was killed by his own father