"Whats Going On"

Marvin Gaye grew up in Washington D.C. and started his career as a doo-wop singer for the group The Moonglows in the late 1950’s. In the 60’s he went into a solo career and signed with Motown Records starting off as a session drummer, but moved through the  ranks to become one of the top-selling solo artists during the 60’s. On June 1^st, 1970 Marvin went on to write “Whats Going On” about his brothers accounts of his experience in the Vietnam War and his disgust of police brutality after seeing anti-war protesters attacked. The album went on to cover issues such as poverty, taxes, drug abuse, and pollution. The album was released on May 21, 1971, and instantly became a success. The album was his cross over between young white rock audiences and his already strong R&B fan base.

Whats Goin’ On

This song is an anti-war song about brothers dying in the war of their time, Vietnam. It was Marvin’s way of saying that words work better then violence. It also seems that Marvin is at a party during this time and you can hear the references towards drugs in some places if you listen carefully. The song also goes on to say that those protesting for peace should not be punished with violence. The song touches many subjects such as, race, equality, political views, and emotions of the people during a time of crisis.

“Picket lines and picket signs
Don't punish me with brutality
Talk to me, so you can see
Oh, what's going on”

Whats Happening Brother

The song is about a man returning to the women in his life from the war and he is unsure when the war is going to end. He doesn’t believe that the newspapers are right that the war is getting better and coming to an end soon. He also talks about the struggles of returning from the war such as finding a job and money being tight. He also talks about how things have changed since he left; he is asking if people still go to the same club to dance. Then he starts catching up with old friends asking what has been going on.

“Hey baby, what'cha know good
I'm just gettin' back, but you knew I would
War is hell, when will it end,
When will people start gettin' together again
Are things really gettin' better, like the newspaper said”

Flyin’ High

This song is about Marvin Gaye’s struggle with drug addiction. “Well I know I'm hooked my friend, To the boy who makes slaves out of men.” That’s something that addiction would do to a person, really tiring them out as they work and work for no gain. Also you’re under the control of someone or something because of the addiction.

Save the Children

I think this is from the point of view of someone who has done nothing for the world, possibly Marvin Gaye, but it doesn’t seem to be about himself. He goes on to say that we all die sooner or later, as if he has no faith or hope. He says save the children as if to save them from this world of despair but no one really cares or is willing to try.

God is Love

As opposed to the previous song this song is much more upbeat and hopeful, all about his belief and faith in god. He says to love all your family and how god has a plan worked out, he has given us everything.

Mercy Mercy Me

This song is about this changing and how “things aren’t what they used to be”. This is a very sad song about how human beings are destroying their home, Earth. This song also is a warning to human kind, it is warning that Earth will only be forgiving for so long and can only take so much destruction. This song is on an album made over 30 years ago, just showing how ahead of the times and how intelligent Marvin Gaye was.

“Oil wasted on the oceans and upon our seas
Fish full of mercury”…

“Radiation in the ground and in the sky
Animals and birds who live nearby are dying”

Right On

This song is very upbeat and has nice background music, very relaxing and easy to listen to. The song talks about how some people are better at things then other people and how some people are helpers in the world. The song then goes on to thank those people who are helpers and tenders to others cries. The song then goes on to say that no matter what you have in life you need to love and find a way to enjoy the things you have.  

Wholy Holy

This song has a slow beat and I don’t find it all that enjoyable. This song is about using god’s strength and power to come together and support in one another. This song is an attempt to plea to the people to stop the hate and using the lord and love.

Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holla)

This song talks about how the government may be corrupt and how the people, specifically directed towards blacks, are working the money and the government is taking it. Then the song goes on to talk about the issue of blacks problems being ignored by the government.