“What’s Going On” is one of the greatest albums of all time, and one I listen to cover to cover. If you want great music with a perspective on the time it was made it, (‘71) this is it! “What’s Going On” and “Mercy Mercy Me” from this album, please, but the whole album!! It’s not on Motown because Berry Gordy was a little tentative about a sociological themed album. Tamala label was used for this reason. Each song tackles a problem; War, PTSD (before it was named), addiction, religion, children, the environment, and “Inner City Blues”, poverty.
I was going to say this about "What's Going On," but I couldn't put it any better than you do. Agree with every word of this. Some songs are meant to be heard as songs. "What's Going On" is meant to be heard as an album. It's akin to a great movie scene. You can admire it, analyze it, credit the director and so on, but it's only in the context of the whole movie (or album) that the sum of its impact truly hits you.
Young Mr. and Mrs., the reason why this song hits so much is because we are still in the same place as a nation and people spiritually and mentally right now. This song breaks my heart every time I hear it. God help us all.
I find it heartbreaking, it's an incredible production on every front. As a 57 year old white working class man who's been listening to this since I was a teenager it never doesnt make me emotional. The struggles we face are not the colour of our skin but rich versus poor and nothings changed.. Blessings from London.
This entire album is literally non-stop (as in each song flows into the next) and so relevant lyrically to this day. It's a must listen from start to end. Motown fought to stop this from being released because it didn't fit into the happy poppy image of the record label, but Gaye wanted to make a difference, and talk about the issues that he saw in society, and had enough sway to make it happen by this stage of his career.
I purchased the posthumous album from 1972 that Berry Gordy stopped from being released called "You're The Man" because it was more political and definitely not the Motown sound, and definitely worth a listen/purchase of the album.
Marvin Gaye is the GOAT! The entire album is a protest. About poverty, war and the environment. It's been over 50 years since he dropped this. Looking at where we are today he was also prophetic. He was asking us to do better. He was a true genius and a good human being.
Don't get me wrong Marvin & Roy Orbison are tied neck & neck for THEE G.O.A.T. but he had human flaws & tendencies,he cheated on his first wife with a teenager who became his second wife,battled Coke addiction, became a Tax exile & moved to Belgium,some say alcoholism & addictions are a slow suicide solution,his last words after his dad shot him was " He did it,ha did what I always wanted..."
This is the last song The whole album must be listened to in order to get the The social significance of 1971 It is one of the top 10 albums of all time
Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell the best duo ever. " Ain't No Mountain High Enough " " You're All I Need To Get By" " Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing " " Your Precious Love ". Fantastic 👏
Those songs are beautiful and so romantic. When I was old enough to understand them, I fell in love with them just like my mom and the other ladies in my family.
Fifty years later, and not only is this entire album still relevant, but things have gotten even worse. You don't know how much that fact hurts my heart.
Yes, truth. But according to the Bible and our Creator a change goin come! & this system is nearing its conclusion (Matthew 24:3,14) so hearts are going to heal...wait. for it, the best is yet to come ( Revelation 21 :1-5)
@@garyneilson3075 This world is what happens when MAN is in charge: war, disease, poverty, murder, greed, etc. I am SO looking forward to the day when JESUS returns and claims his throne.
Have they though? Or is that just a knee jerk emotional reaction? Are things actually worse today than they were then or do they just feel that way because today is affecting you now and fifty years ago isn't affecting you now? If the people in that video (assuming the video footage was shot in 1971) were fast forwarded to 2023 would they be thinking this place sucks or would they be in wonder of all the changes that have occured? (Personal opinion, they would be wondering what in the hell are we thinking taking cops off the streets, letting people steal everything in sight in stores without be prosecuted, and letting homeless people do whatever they please wherever they please. How in the hell did we get to be so damn dumb? And why in the hell can anyone not walk anywhere without all of their attention being focused on these damn cell phone things?) You really need to slow your mind down and think very long and very hard and do a deep dive into how things were fifty years ago before making a conclusion that the world is worse now than it was then. For example, earlier this year I underwent a double bypass. The surgeons told me this was a very routine operation now and I had a 97 to 98% chance of getting through it without any complications. That is not saying I had a 97 to 98 percent chance of surviving the surgery. That was saying I had a 97 to 98 percent chance of having nothing that was going to keep me in the hospital more than a few days later happening. I would bet everything I own, everything I have ever owned, and everything I ever will own that those percentages would have been noticably lower had I had that operation in 1971 when it was not a routine operation. We have a bad tendency when comparing eras to focus on the negatives of the present and underappreciate the positives. Now the music itself is no contest. The music from fifty years ago pisses acid on the music of today.
After writing for other Motown artists and performing pop songs, this was Marvin stepping out and doing something radically new. The result was revolutionary. Few black mainstream artists had attempted something so deeply political and as deeply soulful.
Yes to “What’s Going On”, “Mercy mercy me”, and “Heard it through the Grapevine” - these are must listens. And “Got to Give it Up” is so funky and such a party vibe. Also “Trouble Man” is such a mood. And I highly recommend you go down this rabbit hole. Don’t let “Lets Get it On” and “Ain’t no mountain high enough” be the only songs you know - great as they are, there are many other equally great ones. Love your channel - you guys are such a great duo.
J you are so right with your choices from the goat of soul music,I grew up listening to my main man MARVIN I was just heartbroken when he was killed but his beautiful music lives on R.I.P.🇬🇧🇺🇸👍👍
And even those are reacted to by many, need to go even deeper into songs like If I Should Die Tonight, Just to Keep You Satisfied and a really deep one about mental illness “It’s Madness.” I dare any one react to that. What a great song, does anyone but me ever heard it? Has to be someone out there. Come on really!
Whats Going On just might be the greatest album ever, regardless of music genre. It was far different from anything Marvin recorded before or after. Beautiful album, but devastatingly sad in the sense that none of the problems it addresses have been resolved even 50 years later. It all still applies today, unfortunately too many don't want the problems solved or even mentioned.
So true. There is not a single issue he sings about that has been adequately addressed (much less solved) in the 50 years since "What's Going On" came out.
Was wondering when you get to this album.. way ahead of its time-- What's Going On should be taught in schools-- SAD that African Americans and everyone else have forgotten/ignored this album about poverty, drug abuse, hatred, abuse, injustice, anti-Vietnam war, and one of the 1st to talk about ecology/environment. It truly was a wake-up call too often disregarded by succeeding generations. The album was recorded to be heard from beginning to end, like Sgt. Peppers... and above everything else the music is just on-point.... If you ever going to do a longer show do 'What's Going On' you won't regret it, even if you don't do a show of another song from it... listen to it anyway... Rolling Stones Magazine's critics and musicians voted it the 2nd greatest album ever behind Sgt. Pepper. Enjoy!!!
I say it’s the greatest album ever recorded. Not only for its social commentary but the musicianship is outstanding. Here we are 50 years later and nothing has changed.
Who thinks "we've" forgotten about Marvin? Maybe this generation hasn't caught up yet , but old heads like myself have not forgotten Marvin at all! MARVIN LIVES!!! His version of The Star Spangled Banner at the 1983 NBA All-Star game should be mandatory listening for all Americans!
"What's Going On should be taught in schools--" Home should be the greatest school, stay at home and teach our children, homeschool, brothers and sisters. Don't run away Black brothers, ain't easy but stay the course. I home schooled against all forces (wife was the most wicked force) but I stayed true to the pursuit. Good luck!
Marvin exposed the plight and conditions of the Innercity life. He warned us about the dangers of every day struggles. And then he succumbed to the very pressures and addictions he warned us about. R.I.P. Marvin....gone too soon.
You can't judge legendary artists like Marvin Gaye just by listening to two or three songs... You guys should start doing whole album reactions. This song is from the album What's Going On, which is one of the greatest albums ever made.
Also, Marvin Gaye recorded countless songs of different genres.....different grooves.....different messages.....you've got to immerse yourself into his music in order to get the full Marvin Gaye experience....he was phenomenal and otherworldly soulful....❤️🙏🎵🎹🎤🎶🙏💖
They will change when me and you make the preparing of our kids personal; get involved, stay involved and they will bring about the changes we wish to see. Invest in our future's I challenge you, prepare them so they can be among the trend setters of tomorrow; and I don't mean in music/dancing.
@@donniehagy5125 Make it happen, force it into existence, I purposely made sure my kids were multilingual, if I speak your tongue hatred grows more distant. I spoke this to my neighbors during the years we were hatching our kids, I was labeled as mentally challenged, especially by my wife. Today the world is my kid's oyster, especially my daughter who roams the world speaking 6 languages. FLUENTLY! 65 now and I routinely piggyback on my daughters' worldly residences. From the ghetto of Los Angeles to roaming the globe, Living the dream!
You guys did CCR's version of "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" - but Marvin did the original. It's brilliant. Such a tragedy - shot to death by his own father at the age of 44. His other hits include "Pride and Joy", "I'll Be Doggone", "Ain't That Peculiar", "Sexual Healing", and my personal fave, "You're All I Need to Get By".
Do y'all know "Night Shift" by The Commodores? It was a song they did without Lionel Ritchie in tribute when Marvin passed away. Would love a reaction to that song.
What was interesting about the late 1960s/early 1970s is how the musical genres blurred. The Rock bands absorbed an immense amount from black R&B, Soul, and Blues. They also took from classical and folk traditions. But what you see in this album is how much the rock scene--which was incredibly dominant--influenced black music in return. Marvin Gaye built What's Going On to work like a rock album, to be listened to as a whole rather than as a bunch of different songs. Each of these traditions fed off each other, which is why it is remembered as a period of such incredible creativity.
If this song left you speechless and emotionally drained, then your empathy and compassion were brought out. Not many songs can do that. Over 50 years later and this song is as relevant now as it was then.
This song can be used as a metaphor for many people who are struggling. This country has communities who feel they are left out of society. The inner city, the rural community, the Appalachian area. Factories closed because companies took their companies off shore, leaving the people behind. There was a time when we built things, then all of a sudden China and other Asian countries began doing it then we import it here. Marvin Gaye was way ahead of his time, and he was deeeep.
Money still rolls through our hands, but we give it away as soon as we get it, especially us Blacks and Browns- but oh us Blacks. Buy local, trade within your community,,,.
What's Going On is a masterpiece. There is not one bad track on it, and Inner City Blues is no exception. It will never age, and to say it's as relevant today, is an understatement. As long as poverty, war, drugs, life struggle and such exist, this album will continue to preach the message. Everyone should get to listen to this to know exactly... WHAT'S. GOING. ON. Peace and love to you both 💜 Also, it's good to listen to the album in it's entirety, as the songs segue into one another.
One of the very few albums of any genre that can be called “perfect”. There isn’t a bad verse on the whole album. Not one stinker- not one bad note. It’s freaking perfect.
"Ain't No Mountain High Enough" is his duet with Tammi Terrell. They also did "Ain't Nothin' Like The Real Thing" and so many others they have their own Greatest Hits Album!!!!
The band The Ojays is calling you over to their Rabbit Hole of great songs! "I Love Music", "For The Love Of Money", "Backstabbers" and so many more! Also Glady's Knight and the Pips 60s and 70s is also pretty awesome!
It works because it is not a protest album. It is a soul album with protest lyrics. What I mean is that unlike Rage Against the Machine, 1990s R.E.M., and post 90s Springsteen the artist isn't devoting 90% of his time and energy beating you over the head with his message. The album has a groove in it from start to finish that is very pleasing to the ears. That makes the brain more receptive to the messages. You don't make an album as great as this one is by trying to write protest songs first and songs people want to hear second. You make an album as great as this one is by writing songs people want to hear first and adding the protest stuff in afterwards. Don't focus on writing protest songs. Focus on writing songs that sound good and just happen to have protest lyrics in them.
This song, Marvin Gaye's voice and the video is a wonderful expression of music as art! The lyrics reflect the despair of growing up in an urban environment facing the economic and social challenges of the 1960s and 70s, during the backdrop of the Vietnam War. The composition is outstanding, and I simply love the percussion instruments throughout. Social commentary with an infectious beat. It's a masterpiece IMHO.
What's Going On is in the conversation for greatest album of the 20th century--without thinking about genres, styles, etc. It would be worth checking out the whole album. Love that you reacted to this!
Melissa Ward here. Now you're at the top of the music mountain. Mr. Marvin gaye is a treasure to the boomer generation. And I am sure many other generations that found him. I listen to him about every night still at my mid60s years. Anything Marvin gaye.
Everyone here who suggests you guys listen to the whole album are absolutely right. You don't need to do it on the channel but many of us commenters might say you'd be doing yourselves a musical education favor by sharing this album together ❤ one day when you can.
Back in the late 1960's and early 1970's, when I was just becoming a young adult, it was different time and had many things to question...Vietnam was going on, music was changing, etc.
Finally listening to one of the G.O.A.T of music Mr Marvin Gaye. The whole "What's Going On" album is legendary. There are some many great Marvin Gaye's songs, but my favourites are "Trouble Man" and "Got To Give It Up" pure classics.
This is such a sad song. Every time I see anything like this I notice how children try to have fun in whatever circumstance they find themselves. It is terrible to feel you have no way out because that only continues the cycle. We have to invest in our communities and teach our children how to better their lives or at least what choices (drugs, teenage pregnancy, etc) can make life more difficult. How great is it that artists of all kinds can show different aspects of our world. The good, the bad and the ugly. This is how we learn about others and have compassion.
The strings in last verse of "What's Going On" never fail to bring tears to my eyes. Check out Stevie Wonder's "Living For the City" as well as "Ball of Confusion" by the Temptations.
I don't know if that would be a good idea since they tend to stop songs a lot. This album needs to be listened to without interruptions to let it all soak into you.
Love Marvin Gaye! Awesome cover of Marvin Gaye's "WHAT'S GOING ON" BY PLAYING FOR CHANGE. Featuring musician's from across 5 continents and subtitles for who artists are and locations. 11M views
Important note: There was really no video at the time this song came out. The main video era took off in the ‘80’s. Someone came along & compiled these video & still shots to go with the song. Part of Marvin insisting to Motown CEO Berry Gordy to produce himself was that he had a brother in the Viet Nam war at the time (‘send that boy off, to die’), & he no longer only wanted to do love songs, which til that point was all Motown was about. I had forgotten that he tagged a piece of his What’s wGoin On to the end of this. There is another message song very similar to What’s Goin On called, Mercy Mercy Me, with the same kind of bridge in it. Other cool love jams of his : I Want You; Get to This; & the ultimate live performance ladies screamin out they minds, DISTANT LOVER, woooo! Marvin also did the Soundtrack for the blaxploitation era movie, Trouble Man. The track by the same name is very cool, & Don’t Mess With Mr. T. Man he had such an incredible vibe to his work no matter the style of the song. There’s just a sad conclusion to so many artists legacy. Marvin had never really gotten over the death of his singing partner, Tami Terrell, with whom he had the hits, Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, & Ain’t Nothin Like the Real Thing. Another incredible spin he put on a song was Heard It Through The Grapevine. Got to hear that one! 👍🏾
Stevie Wonder had a hit song touching on a somewhat related issue, called "Living For The City" -- which has a little mini-drama in the middle -- and is about a rural Mississippi boy moving to New York and finding it's not at all what he was hoping it'd be. Don't want to give it all away, as it's sort of a story.
This song is off the album "What's going on?". You need to check out the whole album. Each song flows into the next telling the story of the black community in the early 70's. Truly a perfect album.
The rarest art...a masterpiece. I cry every time, and since it's creation, I've been fortunate to share this album with younger adults who I've met. Because it resonates throughout time, in our society, anyone with the capacity to empathize and have compassion will find an understanding of our brothers and sisters that we may never see in our own lives. This is such a gift to all of us, and we can thank Mr. Gaye. RIP.
For Female Friday: Ronnie Spector - ‘Be My Baby’ Toni Braxton - ‘Un-Break My Heart’ Sugarland (Jennifer Nettles) - ‘Stay’ Roberta Flack - ‘First Time Ever I Saw Your Face’ Other notables: Christopher Cross - ‘Sailing,’ Kayne Brown - ‘Worship You,’ Kool and The Gang - ‘Celebration,’ Dan Fogelberg - ‘Same Old Lang Syne’ Luther Vandross - ‘Dance With My Father’
What's Crazy is this song came out in the 70's talking about the plight of the inner city poor what's changed not much he could have made this song today it still ring's true love you guys keep up the good work
Ya'll have heard some stuff today, the words in this song are as meaningful today as they were back in the day. Same stuff that was going on back then, is the same stuff going on today. This song was fiya then, and still fiya today!
Marvin Gaye's voice is absolutely the best I've ever heard. With this amazing talent he was also able to evoke the pain and suffering that he wanted the world to recognize for minority groups. Poverty is a universal symptom of the failings of government. Marvin Gaye was a brilliant singer but he was also torn by not only his shortcomings but those of society as a whole. RIP Marvin you are missed.
By now, the previous 477 comments have probably said everything there is to say about this album, but if you EVER do a full album reaction, please react to "What's Going On". It's so relevant to the times (Vietnam/Civil Rights era and, sadly, today). It's a masterpiece.
Ain't it funny how this song was made 50 years ago and it is still relevant today. Still fighting some of these same issues. Without going into the meaning, the song itself has great music and of course Marvin's voice was top tier. Angela Winbush did a cover of this and it it great as well.
This was the perfect closer to a perfect album. I could talk for hours and hours about this one but i'll just relate the story of the first time I heard the song in context from the album. I was already completely amazed by it and was feeling a mixture of awe and a sense that I was listening to holy music wrapped up in a secular box. This song comes on and I immediately looked up from reading the liner notes and was like OH MAH GAWD. By the end of the song and the album I was literally in tears. Marvin once told Smokey Robinson "Smoke, this album wasn't done by me it was done by God." and truly it was. The entire album was TOUCHED....It's profoundly sad that the overall themes of WHAT'S GOING ON are pretty much as true or moreso today in 2021. There's a reason Rolling Stone ranked this as the greatest album of all time.
“What’s Going On” is one of the greatest albums of all time, and one I listen to cover to cover. If you want great music with a perspective on the time it was made it, (‘71) this is it! “What’s Going On” and “Mercy Mercy Me” from this album, please, but the whole album!! It’s not on Motown because Berry Gordy was a little tentative about a sociological themed album. Tamala label was used for this reason. Each song tackles a problem; War, PTSD (before it was named), addiction, religion, children, the environment, and “Inner City Blues”, poverty.
Thanks to the "Funk Brothers !!". they greatest band in any studio.
And 50 years on...the same old S**T happening
I was going to say this about "What's Going On," but I couldn't put it any better than you do. Agree with every word of this. Some songs are meant to be heard as songs. "What's Going On" is meant to be heard as an album. It's akin to a great movie scene. You can admire it, analyze it, credit the director and so on, but it's only in the context of the whole movie (or album) that the sum of its impact truly hits you.
@@erniefranchino7284 , the last 2-3 minutes of the 6:19 version of “Psychedelic Shack” is a Funk Brothers jam you rarely get to hear, and it rocks!!
@@Stoney_Snark saw the Funk Brothers in concert, after seeing the movie "Standing in the shadows ". Great meet and great afterwards.
Young Mr. and Mrs., the reason why this song hits so much is because we are still in the same place as a nation and people spiritually and mentally right now. This song breaks my heart every time I hear it.
God help us all.
I find it heartbreaking, it's an incredible production on every front. As a 57 year old white working class man who's been listening to this since I was a teenager it never doesnt make me emotional. The struggles we face are not the colour of our skin but rich versus poor and nothings changed.. Blessings from London.
This entire album is literally non-stop (as in each song flows into the next) and so relevant lyrically to this day. It's a must listen from start to end. Motown fought to stop this from being released because it didn't fit into the happy poppy image of the record label, but Gaye wanted to make a difference, and talk about the issues that he saw in society, and had enough sway to make it happen by this stage of his career.
And Stevie wonder was influenced by Marvin Gaye. And really have the same sense as Marvin did
You are so right "What's going on" was his break-out (from the Motown norm) album.
I purchased the posthumous album from 1972 that Berry Gordy stopped from being released called "You're The Man" because it was more political and definitely not the Motown sound, and definitely worth a listen/purchase of the album.
"What's going on" is on every list of Top 10 albums of all time.
Marvin Gaye is the GOAT!
The entire album is a protest. About poverty, war and the environment. It's been over 50 years since he dropped this. Looking at where we are today he was also prophetic. He was asking us to do better. He was a true genius and a good human being.
Don't get me wrong Marvin & Roy Orbison are tied neck & neck for THEE G.O.A.T. but he had human flaws & tendencies,he cheated on his first wife with a teenager who became his second wife,battled Coke addiction, became a Tax exile & moved to Belgium,some say alcoholism & addictions are a slow suicide solution,his last words after his dad shot him was " He did it,ha did what I always wanted..."
The end piece where he sings "Mother mother..." is a reprise from another classic of this album: "What's Going On"... definitely worth checking out.
Love the bass line from James Jameson on that track. Underrated bass player in my opinion.
Yes!,! James Jameson was a genius!
@@bryanblack526 How can he be underrated when he was the greatest bass player of the Motown era!!!
@@ammaleslie509 not everybody followed Motown, Duh.
@@bryanblack526 the Funk Brothers are underrated, only member James Jameson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Marvin Gaye and Al Green are the 2 masters of the vocals!"'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' no doubt
This is the last song
The whole album must be listened to in order to get the
The social significance of 1971
It is one of the top 10 albums of all time
Well...if you guys are doing Marvin Gaye...."What's going on" is an absolute must hear!!!!
Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell the best duo ever. " Ain't No Mountain High Enough " " You're All I Need To Get By"
" Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing "
" Your Precious Love ". Fantastic 👏
Those songs are beautiful and so romantic. When I was old enough to understand them, I fell in love with them just like my mom and the other ladies in my family.
Ain’t That Peculiar has a peculiar effect on me.
It makes me get up and dance,no matter where I am,and I’m 67 now.
One of the soul Gods no doubt.
YES YES YES you must listen to the duets with Tammi Terrell (she also tragically died young)
Fifty years later, and not only is this entire album still relevant, but things have gotten even worse. You don't know how much that fact hurts my heart.
hell yes. The line "trigger happy policing" was true then and is true now.
Yes, truth. But according to the Bible and our Creator a change goin come! & this system is nearing its conclusion (Matthew 24:3,14) so hearts are going to heal...wait. for it, the best is yet to come ( Revelation 21 :1-5)
@@garyneilson3075 This world is what happens when MAN is in charge: war, disease, poverty, murder, greed, etc. I am SO looking forward to the day when JESUS returns and claims his throne.
@@lesliesterling826 Marvin was truly prophetic
Have they though? Or is that just a knee jerk emotional reaction? Are things actually worse today than they were then or do they just feel that way because today is affecting you now and fifty years ago isn't affecting you now? If the people in that video (assuming the video footage was shot in 1971) were fast forwarded to 2023 would they be thinking this place sucks or would they be in wonder of all the changes that have occured? (Personal opinion, they would be wondering what in the hell are we thinking taking cops off the streets, letting people steal everything in sight in stores without be prosecuted, and letting homeless people do whatever they please wherever they please. How in the hell did we get to be so damn dumb? And why in the hell can anyone not walk anywhere without all of their attention being focused on these damn cell phone things?) You really need to slow your mind down and think very long and very hard and do a deep dive into how things were fifty years ago before making a conclusion that the world is worse now than it was then. For example, earlier this year I underwent a double bypass. The surgeons told me this was a very routine operation now and I had a 97 to 98% chance of getting through it without any complications. That is not saying I had a 97 to 98 percent chance of surviving the surgery. That was saying I had a 97 to 98 percent chance of having nothing that was going to keep me in the hospital more than a few days later happening. I would bet everything I own, everything I have ever owned, and everything I ever will own that those percentages would have been noticably lower had I had that operation in 1971 when it was not a routine operation. We have a bad tendency when comparing eras to focus on the negatives of the present and underappreciate the positives. Now the music itself is no contest. The music from fifty years ago pisses acid on the music of today.
Marvin was a deep thinker and troubled soul🙏🏽Rest in Love Brother Marvin🌹
After writing for other Motown artists and performing pop songs, this was Marvin stepping out and doing something radically new. The result was revolutionary. Few black mainstream artists had attempted something so deeply political and as deeply soulful.
I agree, I must add Curtis Mayfield to that list. I love them both.
there was no artist like Marvin…RIP
Yes to “What’s Going On”, “Mercy mercy me”, and “Heard it through the Grapevine” - these are must listens. And “Got to Give it Up” is so funky and such a party vibe. Also “Trouble Man” is such a mood. And I highly recommend you go down this rabbit hole. Don’t let “Lets Get it On” and “Ain’t no mountain high enough” be the only songs you know - great as they are, there are many other equally great ones. Love your channel - you guys are such a great duo.
J you are so right with your choices from the goat of soul music,I grew up listening to my main man MARVIN I was just heartbroken when he was killed but his beautiful music lives on R.I.P.🇬🇧🇺🇸👍👍
And even those are reacted to by many, need to go even deeper into songs like If I Should Die Tonight, Just to Keep You Satisfied and a really deep one about mental illness “It’s Madness.” I dare any one react to that. What a great song, does anyone but me ever heard it? Has to be someone out there. Come on really!
@@nkcbrazilmillions of fans for decades!
Mother mother , we owe our lives to you!
Whats Going On just might be the greatest album ever, regardless of music genre. It was far different from anything Marvin recorded before or after. Beautiful album, but devastatingly sad in the sense that none of the problems it addresses have been resolved even 50 years later. It all still applies today, unfortunately too many don't want the problems solved or even mentioned.
So true. There is not a single issue he sings about that has been adequately addressed (much less solved) in the 50 years since "What's Going On" came out.
@@NJbakintheday Well, we are kind of past that Vietnam War bit.
This man had one of the all-time, brain-melting, greatest voices.
Was wondering when you get to this album.. way ahead of its time-- What's Going On should be taught in schools-- SAD that African Americans and everyone else have forgotten/ignored this album about poverty, drug abuse, hatred, abuse, injustice, anti-Vietnam war, and one of the 1st to talk about ecology/environment. It truly was a wake-up call too often disregarded by succeeding generations. The album was recorded to be heard from beginning to end, like Sgt. Peppers... and above everything else the music is just on-point.... If you ever going to do a longer show do 'What's Going On' you won't regret it, even if you don't do a show of another song from it... listen to it anyway... Rolling Stones Magazine's critics and musicians voted it the 2nd greatest album ever behind Sgt. Pepper. Enjoy!!!
i love your heart! brother! this album was social awareness to the max!
I say it’s the greatest album ever recorded. Not only for its social commentary but the musicianship is outstanding. Here we are 50 years later and nothing has changed.
It was. I'm a history teacher. I used this entire album as one of my examples of how we can peacefully protest. He was brilliant.
Who thinks "we've" forgotten about Marvin? Maybe this generation hasn't caught up yet , but old heads like myself have not forgotten Marvin at all! MARVIN LIVES!!! His version of The Star Spangled Banner at the 1983 NBA All-Star game should be mandatory listening for all Americans!
"What's Going On should be taught in schools--"
Home should be the greatest school, stay at home and teach our children, homeschool, brothers and sisters. Don't run away Black brothers, ain't easy but stay the course.
I home schooled against all forces (wife was the most wicked force) but I stayed true to the pursuit.
Good luck!
Marvin exposed the plight and conditions of the Innercity life. He warned us about the dangers of every day struggles. And then he succumbed to the very pressures and addictions he warned us about. R.I.P. Marvin....gone too soon.
That groove, that voice, that face, man... sorely missed. RIP Beautiful Marvin Gaye
This entire album is a must-hear... especially "What's Going On" which is quoted at the end of this song.
You can't judge legendary artists like Marvin Gaye just by listening to two or three songs... You guys should start doing whole album reactions. This song is from the album What's Going On, which is one of the greatest albums ever made.
Also, Marvin Gaye recorded countless songs of different genres.....different grooves.....different messages.....you've got to immerse yourself into his music in order to get the full Marvin Gaye experience....he was phenomenal and otherworldly soulful....❤️🙏🎵🎹🎤🎶🙏💖
The sad thing is that this song is still relevant today! When are things really gonna change?
Never !! Sad but true 😢
Susan, more relevant today.
I don't see change, Susan. Things are only worse today with everything being fueled by hatred coming from all directions.
They will change when me and you make the preparing of our kids personal; get involved, stay involved and they will bring about the changes we wish to see.
Invest in our future's I challenge you, prepare them so they can be among the trend setters of tomorrow; and I don't mean in music/dancing.
@@donniehagy5125 Make it happen, force it into existence, I purposely made sure my kids were multilingual, if I speak your tongue hatred grows more distant.
I spoke this to my neighbors during the years we were hatching our kids, I was labeled as mentally challenged, especially by my wife. Today the world is my kid's oyster, especially my daughter who roams the world speaking 6 languages. FLUENTLY!
65 now and I routinely piggyback on my daughters' worldly residences. From the ghetto of Los Angeles to roaming the globe,
Living the dream!
You guys did CCR's version of "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" - but Marvin did the original. It's brilliant. Such a tragedy - shot to death by his own father at the age of 44. His other hits include "Pride and Joy", "I'll Be Doggone", "Ain't That Peculiar", "Sexual Healing", and my personal fave, "You're All I Need to Get By".
Gladys Night did the original
@@falcon82100 she did
@@falcon82100 It was written for the Temptations.
I like Marvin’s, Got To Give It Up. Sounds like a party where you should be up dancing; no more standing upside the wall.
Martin's was recorded first, Gladys Knight & the Pips was released first. Both versions were hits, I prefer Gladys & the Pips.
Do y'all know "Night Shift" by The Commodores? It was a song they did without Lionel Ritchie in tribute when Marvin passed away.
Would love a reaction to that song.
"Marvin... he was a friend of mine...." is the first line. Jackie Wilson (another R&B legend) is also mentioned.
I'll second this.
They will love it. Plus it's from the 80s. I think it's their favorite decade.😉
ruclips.net/video/FrkEDe6Ljqs/видео.html
What was interesting about the late 1960s/early 1970s is how the musical genres blurred. The Rock bands absorbed an immense amount from black R&B, Soul, and Blues. They also took from classical and folk traditions. But what you see in this album is how much the rock scene--which was incredibly dominant--influenced black music in return. Marvin Gaye built What's Going On to work like a rock album, to be listened to as a whole rather than as a bunch of different songs. Each of these traditions fed off each other, which is why it is remembered as a period of such incredible creativity.
If this song left you speechless and emotionally drained, then your empathy and compassion were brought out. Not many songs can do that. Over 50 years later and this song is as relevant now as it was then.
This song can be used as a metaphor for many people who are struggling. This country has communities who feel they are left out of society. The inner city, the rural community, the Appalachian area. Factories closed because companies took their companies off shore, leaving the people behind. There was a time when we built things, then all of a sudden China and other Asian countries began doing it then we import it here. Marvin Gaye was way ahead of his time, and he was deeeep.
Money still rolls through our hands, but we give it away as soon as we get it, especially us Blacks and Browns- but oh us Blacks.
Buy local, trade within your community,,,.
What's Going On is a masterpiece. There is not one bad track on it, and Inner City Blues is no exception. It will never age, and to say it's as relevant today, is an understatement. As long as poverty, war, drugs, life struggle and such exist, this album will continue to preach the message. Everyone should get to listen to this to know exactly... WHAT'S. GOING. ON.
Peace and love to you both 💜
Also, it's good to listen to the album in it's entirety, as the songs segue into one another.
I remember driving to work the day after 9/11 and they played What’s Going On.. I started sobbing and had to pull off the highway.
This song is just as good today and yesterday 🔥🔥🔥🔥
“ I want you” is a song you need to also listen too. It’s my favorite by him.
One of the very few albums of any genre that can be called “perfect”. There isn’t a bad verse on the whole album. Not one stinker- not one bad note. It’s freaking perfect.
"Ain't No Mountain High Enough" is his duet with Tammi Terrell. They also did "Ain't Nothin' Like The Real Thing" and so many others they have their own Greatest Hits Album!!!!
I love his duets with her!
The band The Ojays is calling you over to their Rabbit Hole of great songs! "I Love Music", "For The Love Of Money", "Backstabbers" and so many more! Also Glady's Knight and the Pips 60s and 70s is also pretty awesome!
“Got to give it up is a great dance song. He recorded songs with Tammy Terrell in the 60’s.
Amber is so empathetic and I agree you can well imagine why people turn to the street when they live like this
The whole album is a protest work,set to some of the finest soul arrangements ever,a real landmark.
It works because it is not a protest album. It is a soul album with protest lyrics. What I mean is that unlike Rage Against the Machine, 1990s R.E.M., and post 90s Springsteen the artist isn't devoting 90% of his time and energy beating you over the head with his message. The album has a groove in it from start to finish that is very pleasing to the ears. That makes the brain more receptive to the messages. You don't make an album as great as this one is by trying to write protest songs first and songs people want to hear second. You make an album as great as this one is by writing songs people want to hear first and adding the protest stuff in afterwards. Don't focus on writing protest songs. Focus on writing songs that sound good and just happen to have protest lyrics in them.
This song, Marvin Gaye's voice and the video is a wonderful expression of music as art! The lyrics reflect the despair of growing up in an urban environment facing the economic and social challenges of the 1960s and 70s, during the backdrop of the Vietnam War. The composition is outstanding, and I simply love the percussion instruments throughout. Social commentary with an infectious beat. It's a masterpiece IMHO.
Singer songwriter and performer. Marvin had it all.
What's Going On is in the conversation for greatest album of the 20th century--without thinking about genres, styles, etc. It would be worth checking out the whole album. Love that you reacted to this!
In my opinion, the greatest song of all time.
Guys, Marvin was ahead of his time. The inner cities aren’t the only ones that struggle day to day.
As the music drifts off the album ends.Best album ever.
Melissa Ward here. Now you're at the top of the music mountain. Mr. Marvin gaye is a treasure to the boomer generation. And I am sure many other generations that found him. I listen to him about every night still at my mid60s years. Anything Marvin gaye.
Marvin was (is) everything...sensual, spiritual, deep, tender, thoughtful....all that!
I mean, he was also a very, very tormented individual.
Everyone here who suggests you guys listen to the whole album are absolutely right. You don't need to do it on the channel but many of us commenters might say you'd be doing yourselves a musical education favor by sharing this album together ❤ one day when you can.
Do your format your own way.rock on.
Back in the late 1960's and early 1970's, when I was just becoming a young adult, it was different time and had many things to question...Vietnam was going on, music was changing, etc.
This song 🎧 is Sooooo Relevant Today in more ways than 1
A song so relevant 50 years later. What's Goin On is a brilliant piece of American art.
Such a Masterpiece...a mirror of our society.
"What's going on" "come get to this" and "mercy mercy me" completes my top 3 Marvin tracks ❤️❤️❤️
Excellent choices
I've been listening to this song and album a lot recently so to see this video just now was really surprising, lol.
No human has or had a better voice. It's just stunningly beautiful. Dear God he was just spectacular.
Finally listening to one of the G.O.A.T of music Mr Marvin Gaye. The whole "What's Going On" album is legendary. There are some many great Marvin Gaye's songs, but my favourites are "Trouble Man" and "Got To Give It Up" pure classics.
This is such a sad song. Every time I see anything like this I notice how children try to have fun in whatever circumstance they find themselves. It is terrible to feel you have no way out because that only continues the cycle. We have to invest in our communities and teach our children how to better their lives or at least what choices (drugs, teenage pregnancy, etc) can make life more difficult. How great is it that artists of all kinds can show different aspects of our world. The good, the bad and the ugly. This is how we learn about others and have compassion.
The strings in last verse of "What's Going On" never fail to bring tears to my eyes. Check out Stevie Wonder's "Living For the City" as well as "Ball of Confusion" by the Temptations.
Another icon in the world of R&B… Anything you react to from him is going to be unforgettable ‼️‼️‼️‼️
The whole album is a masterpiece. My favourite Marvin Gaye is "Troubled Man". Phenomenal.
Oh man, Marvin is so dreamy...Amazing vocals...Amazing video, Love it...Thank you, Peace
Greatest album ever made. The greatest album that ever will be made.
The Trouble Man soundtrack is also a must listen.
One of my all time faves. Never gets old
This whole album seems more relevant each year.
You always know a Marvin Gaye song is coming on when you hear that percussion!
Mercy Mercy Me & What's Going On. Through his music, Marvin was THE social conscience of the late 60's and 70's
He was a really deep thinker and wrote some great songs of what was happening in the 60’s.
Not only this video, but a lot of Marvin's music was very impactful to everyone who listened to the lyrics of his songs.
You guys could react to the entire “What’s Going On” album, song by song, and no one would complain. This is one of the greatest albums ever.
I don't know if that would be a good idea since they tend to stop songs a lot. This album needs to be listened to without interruptions to let it all soak into you.
Love Marvin Gaye! Awesome cover of Marvin Gaye's "WHAT'S GOING ON" BY PLAYING FOR CHANGE. Featuring musician's from across 5 continents and subtitles for who artists are and locations. 11M views
One of the greatest artists of all times, Marvin also laid down the background vocals to this song.
Thanks marvin for all the pleasure you gave us we miss you so much 👋👋👋👋👋🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🙏🏴🏴🏴
Important note: There was really no video at the time this song came out. The main video era took off in the ‘80’s. Someone came along & compiled these video & still shots to go with the song. Part of Marvin insisting to Motown CEO Berry Gordy to produce himself was that he had a brother in the Viet Nam war at the time (‘send that boy off, to die’), & he no longer only wanted to do love songs, which til that point was all Motown was about. I had forgotten that he tagged a piece of his What’s wGoin On to the end of this. There is another message song very similar to What’s Goin On called, Mercy Mercy Me, with the same kind of bridge in it. Other cool love jams of his : I Want You; Get to This; & the ultimate live performance ladies screamin out they minds, DISTANT LOVER, woooo! Marvin also did the Soundtrack for the blaxploitation era movie, Trouble Man. The track by the same name is very cool, & Don’t Mess With Mr. T. Man he had such an incredible vibe to his work no matter the style of the song. There’s just a sad conclusion to so many artists legacy. Marvin had never really gotten over the death of his singing partner, Tami Terrell, with whom he had the hits, Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, & Ain’t Nothin Like the Real Thing. Another incredible spin he put on a song was Heard It Through The Grapevine. Got to hear that one! 👍🏾
Thank you for the forensics on Marvin, you did your homework, thank you,
Marvin was a once in a lifetime artist, will never be another like him. Check out Mercy mercy me, or What’s going on
Stevie Wonder had a hit song touching on a somewhat related issue, called "Living For The City" -- which has a little mini-drama in the middle -- and is about a rural Mississippi boy moving to New York and finding it's not at all what he was hoping it'd be. Don't want to give it all away, as it's sort of a story.
From one the the greatest albums ever recorded, EVERY song is a must hear on What's Going On and also the song TROUBLEMAN!
This song is off the album "What's going on?". You need to check out the whole album. Each song flows into the next telling the story of the black community in the early 70's. Truly a perfect album.
Not Only 'inner city/ghetto' but lower economic structure.
This song was released in 1971. The '70's was full of 'awareness songs.'
The Greatest Album Ever
fax!!!!
The rarest art...a masterpiece. I cry every time, and since it's creation, I've been fortunate to share this album with younger adults who I've met. Because it resonates throughout time, in our society, anyone with the capacity to empathize and have compassion will find an understanding of our brothers and sisters that we may never see in our own lives. This is such a gift to all of us, and we can thank Mr. Gaye. RIP.
For Female Friday:
Ronnie Spector - ‘Be My Baby’
Toni Braxton - ‘Un-Break My Heart’
Sugarland (Jennifer Nettles) - ‘Stay’
Roberta Flack - ‘First Time Ever I Saw Your Face’
Other notables:
Christopher Cross - ‘Sailing,’
Kayne Brown - ‘Worship You,’
Kool and The Gang - ‘Celebration,’
Dan Fogelberg - ‘Same Old Lang Syne’
Luther Vandross - ‘Dance With My Father’
Voice melts like butter.
What's Crazy is this song came out in the 70's talking about the plight of the inner city poor what's changed not much he could have made this song today it still ring's true love you guys keep up the good work
It helps a lot to have the greatest studio band playing these tracks. The Funk Bros = GOAT
Jackie Wilson, " Lonely Teardrops " and
" Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher ".
Love love me some Marvin Gaye!!!!!
If you are doing Marvin Gaye, you MUST do the duets with Marvin and Tammi Terrell!
Makes cry every time! Such beauty along with such sadness.
Marvin Gaye's ENTIRE "I Want You" album is the MOST BOMB album!! MIDNIGHT LOVE album is brilliant too! There's just so much music of his to admire.
My FAVORITE Marvin Gaye album!
Ya'll have heard some stuff today, the words in this song are as meaningful today as they were back in the day. Same stuff that was going on back then, is the same stuff going on today. This song was fiya then, and still fiya today!
This entire album is a masterpiece.
This is what Marvin Gaye was all about he spoke with purpose you can not ignore the world and everyday life and be confident a great artist
I’m gonna say probably the same thing everyone else will which is Mercy Mercy Me and What’s Goin’ On are absolutely a must listen.
Marvin Gaye's voice is absolutely the best I've ever heard. With this amazing talent he was also able to evoke the pain and suffering that he wanted the world to recognize for minority groups. Poverty is a universal symptom of the failings of government. Marvin Gaye was a brilliant singer but he was also torn by not only his shortcomings but those of society as a whole. RIP Marvin you are missed.
Existing...not living. This album is timeless
Gaye was aware of his world, as were people like Richie Havens, Lennon/McCartney, Joan Baez, Dylan and others.
By now, the previous 477 comments have probably said everything there is to say about this album, but if you EVER do a full album reaction, please react to "What's Going On". It's so relevant to the times (Vietnam/Civil Rights era and, sadly, today). It's a masterpiece.
Ain't it funny how this song was made 50 years ago and it is still relevant today. Still fighting some of these same issues. Without going into the meaning, the song itself has great music and of course Marvin's voice was top tier. Angela Winbush did a cover of this and it it great as well.
Mike, in many ways more relevant today.
This was the perfect closer to a perfect album. I could talk for hours and hours about this one but i'll just relate the story of the first time I heard the song in context from the album. I was already completely amazed by it and was feeling a mixture of awe and a sense that I was listening to holy music wrapped up in a secular box. This song comes on and I immediately looked up from reading the liner notes and was like OH MAH GAWD. By the end of the song and the album I was literally in tears. Marvin once told Smokey Robinson "Smoke, this album wasn't done by me it was done by God." and truly it was. The entire album was TOUCHED....It's profoundly sad that the overall themes of WHAT'S GOING ON are pretty much as true or moreso today in 2021. There's a reason Rolling Stone ranked this as the greatest album of all time.
What’s Going On & Mercy, Mercy Me..Must listen to these… ✌️
They were the ones I was going to suggest, along with 'Save the children'.