This album is a Masterpiece!!! He should have won a Grammy but Lou Rawls won with the song he sang 'Natural Man". I've stopped watching the grammies after that because I believe it was a very unfair choice. Marvin's music is still being played. I like Lou but Marvin's "What's Going On" was about love and concern for the environment and the people of this world. Natural Man was all about self and nobody else.
made in the 70s....sadly this song could have been made today...
an interestingly peculiar and rumored history for the great Marvin Gaye, especially towards the end of his career with the more meaningful songs like this one...
I'm 19 and most of the stuff my generation enjoys I see as a bunch nonsense. I wish I could've lived the same life growing up, but with this music on the radios and all in people's iPods.
@Peejbrah92 You are wize beyond your years. Marvin's been dead almost 30 years and this jam dropped over 40 years ago. People are still reppin' this cut because marvin had talent. What's being played today is disposable, and your generation will have nothing to look back on. It's each generations repsonsibility to leave something wothwile behind for the next, and this has not been the case for the most recent generations.
One of the best albums ever...... the message after 30 years is still relevant as when it was recorded. Marvin was a genius that knew how to bear his soul and speak his heart
hey baby what you know good, um 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, what else is new my friend, besides what i read, can't find no work, can find no job my friend, money is tighter than it's ever been, say man i just don't understand what's going on across this land, ahh what's happening brother ... what's been shakin up and down the line, i wanna know cause...
Brilliant, wonderful. Thank you for the beautiful song. This song gives me strength. Marvin Gaye and The Funk Brothers, the best musicians in the world. This is real music. Thanks Marvin and The Funk Brothers.
This is James Jamerson's track. He nailed this and made it into the one of most beautiful and heart rending and soulfu pieces of music period. Jamerson was chosen as the bass player by Marvin cos he knew no one could nail this album which he played most of the bass on.
@palmares77 -theres love making and then there LURRRRRVE making - this is once of those things that every once in a while magic happens in life and we have spiritual and musical tune that kinda has never been surpassed and I find it difficult to find it being surpassed in terms of the effect on the soul and the ears..... Rejoice is all I can say!!
I was listening to a radiodocumentary about Isaac Hayes last night. He was telling storys about his life and career and a funyy one had Marvin in it.
Isaac had performed at Apollo I think it was early seventies and had hooked up with a smokin hot woman and was about to get it on. They went over to her place and to set the right mood she put on a newly released record.......
.......That was the first time Isaac heard "Whats going on". According to him he never did make love to that woman, he just kept listening to the record all through the night totally blown away.
The more things change the more they stay the same....Mankind/Government seems doomed to repeat the same wars, the same money troubles, the same mistakes...They tell you forgive and forget and start fresh...But that's the problem, 'cause if we remember our mistake, then maybe, just maybe we wouldn't keep reliving bad history over, and over again!
More than a few thousand have died in the current war-the toll on Afghan and Pakistani non-combatants has been higher than that of US soldiers. Total casualties in Iraq do approach 100,000. Is a song about war and poverty relevant at any period any time, any moment? There was a stretch during the 90's where we were not at war and the economy was humming along nicely. The footage shows poverty is not just an issue of the total figure, but how it disproportionately affects the black community.
Exactly 40 years later and this album is still hauntingly relevant. If only musicians today could make music like this speaking of topical issues. Don't get me wrong, i enjoy partying and getting slizzard in a blizzard, but can we have some social awareness in the mainstream?
@ripmeast21 Judging from the current state of mainstream music, I think you're asking too much. If "The Club" isn't mentioned in a song then you probably won't hear it on the radio. Music needs a revolution
Without a doubt in my mind the "What's going on" album was the most poignant, significant work of genius in our lifetime. This particular song was my favorite from the album. Marvin was troubled but when he was on his game he was the best!!!!
Shut the fuck up about this song being visionary and shit. Make any song about war and poverty and it will be relevent at any period, any time, any moment. And this song war FAR more relevant and powerful when it was written than it is now, you know when the vietnam war was going on and people were being drafted forced into a war and a hundred some thousand people that died, compared to the few thousand in this dinky little war. as well poverty that was worse tenfold than it is now. Good song
Poverty is just as bad now as it was then massive job loss and forclosures prove that and I would argue that this song is Just as relevant now as it ever was. Vietnam was a debacle and so was this war.
@Tempest78 haha right on man wats happened to music? it's just meaningless music full of sellouts on the radio these days, unless they're playing ol' skool jams like this lol
@murdok620 a sacrifice aint worth it. to sarcrafice something is to bring give up something valueable. Souljah Boy aint worth anything compared to Marvin Gaye. To compare these two men is an insult to Marvin. Souljah Boy aint even on his level.
This is by far my most favorite album of all time. It has crossed every line of the human consciousness and its as relevant today as it was 40 years ago! from beginning to end! WE MISS YOU SO MUCH MARVIN.
@hiphop90sbaby Who are you telling! I'm 20 years old and I sit here and listen to "real music" with my moms. Our generation has a lack of talent when it comes to the entertainment business.
The haunting voices in the beginning of the masterpiece are a great opener for a rockin' base track! This is better than Mercy, Mercy, Me because the chord changes are so unexpected. I love it.
@hiphop90sbaby Who are you telling! I'm 20 years old and I sit here and listen to "real music" with my moms. Our generation has a lack of talent when it comes to the entertainment business.
@hiphop90sbaby Who are you telling! I'm 20 years old and I sit here and listen to "real music" with my moms. Our generation has a lack of talent when it comes to the entertainment business.
Marvin Gaye, Donnie Hathaway and Curtis Mayfield were some very socially aware brothers, may they RIP!! Many of these issues still plague the world today! What's Happening Brothers. You always knew!!
have probably listened 2 this song more than all of marvin's classics. and thats saying alot. definitely one of my all time favorite joints right here. timeless
bY THE WAY THIS ALBUM WAS THE BEST ALBUM OF ALL TIMES-WE JUST WASN'T REALLY READY FOR THE TRUTH. MAIN STREAM SOCIETY LIKES TO STAY IN DENIAL....................... JUST LIKE TODAY.................DITTO
can't find no work, can't find no job my friend- are things really getting better like the new(paper) said- Hell no Money is tighter than it's ever been, whats happenin bro almost 40 yrs later, we still askin whats happenin brother- tell me man how in the hell have u been?
@ryanminga I just heard this for the first time while driving. I think I have had maybe 3 songs that stopped me in my tracks while listening. This is one of them. If Jamerson's bass doesn't move you in this song, you have no soul. This is my favorite Jamerson piece.
When I heard this song on the first anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, I figured it would be fittingly appropriate enough. Many personnel were suffering from post traumatic stress disorder while trying to pick up the pieces of their hearts and rebuild their lives.
this song was written during the war in veit dam, and all the bros, cous, uncles, marvin gave alots of hope to people, when the fellows came back from fighting this is all they had to calm them down from being so scared, somebody had to tell them the truth about what was happening to them, simply put
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When I heard this song after another from the previous song of track1, I got da soul, because i began to dance!
unionfunk 3 days ago
When I heard this song after another from the previous song of track1, I got da soul, because i began to dance!
unionfunk 3 days ago
This album is a Masterpiece!!! He should have won a Grammy but Lou Rawls won with the song he sang 'Natural Man". I've stopped watching the grammies after that because I believe it was a very unfair choice. Marvin's music is still being played. I like Lou but Marvin's "What's Going On" was about love and concern for the environment and the people of this world. Natural Man was all about self and nobody else.
medusa7ful 5 days ago
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If you're ready to step up and recognise the crisis humanity is in, view our short video.
watch?v=U31CbWZVpTw
AntithesisStudios 2 weeks ago
made in the 70s....sadly this song could have been made today...
an interestingly peculiar and rumored history for the great Marvin Gaye, especially towards the end of his career with the more meaningful songs like this one...
R I P Marvin Gaye
DJSIMPLYP 2 months ago
Jamerson changed how this song spoke ! He took a word and made it a sentence ! WOW
praxkan 3 months ago
To see what we're destroying, view our short video. /watch?v=uUk83PX2UrM
AntithesisStudios 3 months ago
I'm 19 and most of the stuff my generation enjoys I see as a bunch nonsense. I wish I could've lived the same life growing up, but with this music on the radios and all in people's iPods.
Peejbrah92 3 months ago
@Peejbrah92 You are wize beyond your years. Marvin's been dead almost 30 years and this jam dropped over 40 years ago. People are still reppin' this cut because marvin had talent. What's being played today is disposable, and your generation will have nothing to look back on. It's each generations repsonsibility to leave something wothwile behind for the next, and this has not been the case for the most recent generations.
meyersd66 2 weeks ago
war is here what else is new my friend cant find no work cant find no job! u know who it is Mustafa from the H town as salaam alaikum
ksmile3m1 4 months ago
RIP TROY DAVIS!!!!....
JBoogie1 5 months ago 4
and now marvin?are you whith james,earl andeddie bongo playing music?
melas96 5 months ago
he sings the truth
JustOnePiece92 6 months ago
These songs all seem so effortless....
Amazing
sebassucc 6 months ago
still play this ablum to this day..my adult children know it & also my grands
16 & 17 yrs old...
sweetlove1171 6 months ago
One of the best albums ever...... the message after 30 years is still relevant as when it was recorded. Marvin was a genius that knew how to bear his soul and speak his heart
nechidon 7 months ago
hey baby what you know good, um 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, what else is new my friend, besides what i read, can't find no work, can find no job my friend, money is tighter than it's ever been, say man i just don't understand what's going on across this land, ahh what's happening brother ... what's been shakin up and down the line, i wanna know cause...
bftiger75 7 months ago
whoo!
hnh4 7 months ago
To see what is wrong with the world, view our short video. /watch?v=tQusK75Gt2w
AntithesisStudios 7 months ago
Classic. Relevant from now till the year 5000...hopefully our ignorance will be eliminated by then
rohitganesh100 8 months ago
can't find no work, can't find no job my friend, money is tight than its ever been...true today in 2011
bigemacstyle 9 months ago 4
the bass line! the bass line! james jamerson - the greatest.
davidturner9823 9 months ago 2
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THUMBS UP TO THEM SISTAS SINGING BACKGROUND VOCALS!
palmares77 9 months ago
Brilliant, wonderful. Thank you for the beautiful song. This song gives me strength. Marvin Gaye and The Funk Brothers, the best musicians in the world. This is real music. Thanks Marvin and The Funk Brothers.
funk231t 9 months ago
This is James Jamerson's track. He nailed this and made it into the one of most beautiful and heart rending and soulfu pieces of music period. Jamerson was chosen as the bass player by Marvin cos he knew no one could nail this album which he played most of the bass on.
Sal1675 9 months ago
@Sal1675 James Jamerson made love to this track with that guitar. AMAZING his spectrum.
palmares77 9 months ago
@palmares77 -theres love making and then there LURRRRRVE making - this is once of those things that every once in a while magic happens in life and we have spiritual and musical tune that kinda has never been surpassed and I find it difficult to find it being surpassed in terms of the effect on the soul and the ears..... Rejoice is all I can say!!
Sal1675 9 months ago
i miss you marvin
thescatterbrain123 9 months ago
what is new my friends..................
cool2t 9 months ago
Comment removed
omarqure 10 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
I was listening to a radiodocumentary about Isaac Hayes last night. He was telling storys about his life and career and a funyy one had Marvin in it.
Isaac had performed at Apollo I think it was early seventies and had hooked up with a smokin hot woman and was about to get it on. They went over to her place and to set the right mood she put on a newly released record.......
omarqure 10 months ago
.......That was the first time Isaac heard "Whats going on". According to him he never did make love to that woman, he just kept listening to the record all through the night totally blown away.
omarqure 10 months ago
Comment removed
omarqure 10 months ago
maa nikaaa
SvItoJ 1 year ago
Asian women on the street lushfmlk.info
mihiribrayan 1 year ago
is that the flaming lips in the background at :41? hahah
mrsaganscosmos 1 year ago
The more things change the more they stay the same....Mankind/Government seems doomed to repeat the same wars, the same money troubles, the same mistakes...They tell you forgive and forget and start fresh...But that's the problem, 'cause if we remember our mistake, then maybe, just maybe we wouldn't keep reliving bad history over, and over again!
aholmes99 1 year ago
More than a few thousand have died in the current war-the toll on Afghan and Pakistani non-combatants has been higher than that of US soldiers. Total casualties in Iraq do approach 100,000. Is a song about war and poverty relevant at any period any time, any moment? There was a stretch during the 90's where we were not at war and the economy was humming along nicely. The footage shows poverty is not just an issue of the total figure, but how it disproportionately affects the black community.
454SD 1 year ago
Exactly 40 years later and this album is still hauntingly relevant. If only musicians today could make music like this speaking of topical issues. Don't get me wrong, i enjoy partying and getting slizzard in a blizzard, but can we have some social awareness in the mainstream?
ripmeast21 1 year ago
@ripmeast21 Judging from the current state of mainstream music, I think you're asking too much. If "The Club" isn't mentioned in a song then you probably won't hear it on the radio. Music needs a revolution
juxmjnr 1 year ago
Without a doubt in my mind the "What's going on" album was the most poignant, significant work of genius in our lifetime. This particular song was my favorite from the album. Marvin was troubled but when he was on his game he was the best!!!!
DarkHalo08 1 year ago
Shut the fuck up about this song being visionary and shit. Make any song about war and poverty and it will be relevent at any period, any time, any moment. And this song war FAR more relevant and powerful when it was written than it is now, you know when the vietnam war was going on and people were being drafted forced into a war and a hundred some thousand people that died, compared to the few thousand in this dinky little war. as well poverty that was worse tenfold than it is now. Good song
TouchMeTherePlease 1 year ago
@TouchMeTherePlease
Poverty is just as bad now as it was then massive job loss and forclosures prove that and I would argue that this song is Just as relevant now as it ever was. Vietnam was a debacle and so was this war.
cduone 1 year ago
WHAT'S HAPPENING BROTHA ,DIG THIS FOR A MINUTE. MARVIN UNDERSTOOD IT BEFORE WE DID .THIS IS ONLY OUR TODAY!!!
Raliek126 1 year ago
What in the world? Who are the 2 bozos that didn't like this?smdh
JayLa76 1 year ago
I'm echoing other sentiments now. I am into soul, rock, country but NOTHING can surpass this album.
Motown delayed it's release. US governmnt pressure during Vietnam war? Surely not...
mrbollocks 1 year ago
i would sacrifice souljah boi for marvin gaye in a jiffy man thumbs up if u would too lol
murdok620 1 year ago 30
@murdok620 : I'm with you - Thumbs up, toes up and everything else up if we can throw out the rest of these no-account modern "singers" too!
Tempest78 1 year ago
@Tempest78 haha right on man wats happened to music? it's just meaningless music full of sellouts on the radio these days, unless they're playing ol' skool jams like this lol
murdok620 1 year ago
@murdok620 a sacrifice aint worth it. to sarcrafice something is to bring give up something valueable. Souljah Boy aint worth anything compared to Marvin Gaye. To compare these two men is an insult to Marvin. Souljah Boy aint even on his level.
JPalto 3 months ago
@JPalto Any living soul is valuble my brother!!
murdok620 3 months ago
@murdok620 Ahh you got me there!
JPalto 3 months ago
@murdok620
that would be a h_ll yes
Arthro92 3 weeks ago
jamerson flowing like water on this track
koolfraser 1 year ago
@koolfraser -jamerson is all over this track and he recorded it on his back
Sal1675 9 months ago
@koolfraser -Jamerson nailed this track and made it into one of the top tracks of all time. Unsurpassable.
Sal1675 9 months ago
This is by far my most favorite album of all time. It has crossed every line of the human consciousness and its as relevant today as it was 40 years ago! from beginning to end! WE MISS YOU SO MUCH MARVIN.
BARBARALACERDA 1 year ago
THANK YOU MARVIN ON & ON YOUR VIBRATIONS WILL 4EVER B PLAYED THANK YOU 4 THE UPLOAD :) SUNSHINE SMILES ~ NAMASTE ~
nightgrooveruk 1 year ago
Love this song am 29 and this was my fav song when i was 19 :) still loving it
KuteyKristy 1 year ago
Marvin's tribute to his brother Frankie, just back fron Viet Nam, The best Nam song ever!!!
tonywallacess45 1 year ago
@tonywallacess45 this a damn good Nam song, but listen to the Players song, he'll be back. That is a good song too!!
toicannon 1 year ago
incredibly underrated.
roscoegino 1 year ago
this is my favorite song on the whats going on album
bapes100 1 year ago
our musicians and artists are also our prophets. Listen to the lyrics!
1301Precious 1 year ago
this is more than music, some deep music a breath of fresh air compared to todays crap
sw2ryder 1 year ago
Comment removed
Kenteman 1 year ago
What's with the lame commercial at the end?!!?!?
carvinblack 1 year ago
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@hiphop90sbaby Who are you telling! I'm 20 years old and I sit here and listen to "real music" with my moms. Our generation has a lack of talent when it comes to the entertainment business.
mt0808 1 year ago
The haunting voices in the beginning of the masterpiece are a great opener for a rockin' base track! This is better than Mercy, Mercy, Me because the chord changes are so unexpected. I love it.
kswanson20 1 year ago 2
@kswanson20 Jamerson, Jamerson, Jamerson.....a song within a song. I would have given anything to have seen him live and sit in a session with him.
Kenteman 1 year ago
Peace and Love, only few words 4 true Beauty.
zeBiancaz 1 year ago
James Jamerson owned this track soooo hard.
m8cct 1 year ago 2
How about Jamerson on that bass?!!! One of his greatest performances on record.
speechrighter 1 year ago 2
@speechrighter
James Jamerson straight up owned this track.
m8cct 1 year ago 14
@m8cct, i agree. Mr. Jamerson is killing the bass in this song. Instrumental play like this is what is missing from todays music.
summersbr1 1 year ago
@m8cct 1:11- 1:51--- Just a killer groove by Jamerson.
Kenteman 1 year ago
@m8cct no doubt
KhalDrogo76 3 months ago
im 16 i like rap but my grandfather showed me this cd and this song and hes so good!
hayesb558 1 year ago 2
I wasnt even born in the 70's and this music makes me feel as if I should've been, this is an artist...and this is coming from a 15 year old...
hiphop90sbaby 1 year ago 3
@hiphop90sbaby Who are you telling! I'm 20 years old and I sit here and listen to "real music" with my moms. Our generation has a lack of talent when it comes to the entertainment business.
mt0808 1 year ago
@hiphop90sbaby Who are you telling! I'm 20 years old and I sit here and listen to "real music" with my moms. Our generation has a lack of talent when it comes to the entertainment business.
mt0808 1 year ago
The Best ever!!!!!!! MARVIN!!!!!!!!!!!
alk3forever 1 year ago 2
I miss the 70's. :(
lunafae 2 years ago
Marvin Gaye, Donnie Hathaway and Curtis Mayfield were some very socially aware brothers, may they RIP!! Many of these issues still plague the world today! What's Happening Brothers. You always knew!!
ztruth4u 2 years ago 4
Comment removed
ztruth4u 2 years ago
I've listened to so many timeless classics from Marvin Gaye, but, sad to say, I've never heard this song until now!
I've been playing this over and over since then!! True masterpiece of real music!!!
The world lost this man way too soon!!
MrWhatevaman 2 years ago 2
Listening to this makes you feel like MARVIN is looking at us TODAY and speaking on THESE TIMES. REAL MUSIC!!!!
vaughnvdg 2 years ago 3
War is hell. when will it end?
Sgant2nd 2 years ago 4
Masterpiece!
justalittlebiased 2 years ago
have probably listened 2 this song more than all of marvin's classics. and thats saying alot. definitely one of my all time favorite joints right here. timeless
Walib 2 years ago
bY THE WAY THIS ALBUM WAS THE BEST ALBUM OF ALL TIMES-WE JUST WASN'T REALLY READY FOR THE TRUTH. MAIN STREAM SOCIETY LIKES TO STAY IN DENIAL....................... JUST LIKE TODAY.................DITTO
54cookie1 2 years ago 48
Who's denying, this album was a smash hit at the time of release and it's considered one of if not the best album to come along in many circles.
larsreal9 2 years ago
@54cookie1 :-)
theman2017inc 1 year ago
can't find no work, can't find no job my friend- are things really getting better like the new(paper) said- Hell no Money is tighter than it's ever been, whats happenin bro almost 40 yrs later, we still askin whats happenin brother- tell me man how in the hell have u been?
54cookie1 2 years ago 7
marvin gaye es el mas grande
n12n23g 2 years ago
He was so cool with his lyrics... I love it!!!
MsBeall502 2 years ago 2
"What's been shaken up and down the line
I want to know cause I'm slightly behind the times"
always loved this lyric and the way it ends the song.
Glinteye 2 years ago 5
this has to be the greatest bassline ever written.....
ryanminga 2 years ago 4
wasn't written!
ishredu 2 years ago
@ryanminga I just heard this for the first time while driving. I think I have had maybe 3 songs that stopped me in my tracks while listening. This is one of them. If Jamerson's bass doesn't move you in this song, you have no soul. This is my favorite Jamerson piece.
Kenteman 1 year ago
When I heard this song on the first anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, I figured it would be fittingly appropriate enough. Many personnel were suffering from post traumatic stress disorder while trying to pick up the pieces of their hearts and rebuild their lives.
wonderglory 2 years ago 4
probably one of the most down to earth song's ever heard
riihtnow 2 years ago 7
this song was written during the war in veit dam, and all the bros, cous, uncles, marvin gave alots of hope to people, when the fellows came back from fighting this is all they had to calm them down from being so scared, somebody had to tell them the truth about what was happening to them, simply put
jameswynne51 2 years ago
sameole, sameole
dexregal 2 years ago
This song came out in 1971 and it is SO relevant today it is scary. But what a beautiful song.
raiders75 2 years ago 69
@raiders75 I was just about to post the same comment. :-)
LAWoman323213 1 year ago
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This was his best song.
USAisAntiWhite 2 years ago 2
Are things really getting better like the newspaper say? That's a really good question. I'll holla at y'all and let y'all marinate on this question:)
jarbon5 3 years ago 3