Before What’s Going On,
Marvin Gaye was a well-known Motown artist, already having garnered much
attention for hits like “Pride and Joy” and “Hitch Hike”. He was well-liked by
the Motown consumer base and was known for his friendly personality and
popularity with the ladies.
Producer and songwriter Norman Whitfield was simultaneously one of Marvin Gaye’s most valuable acquaintances and one of his worst enemies. With Whitfield constantly pushing Gaye to – and often over – the breaking point in his studio, there were many violent encounters, sometimes bordering on physical altercations. Though the relationship was tense, they had each other to thank for Gaye’s huge Motown success.
After the positive reception of “Grapevine”, renamed to “I Heard It Through the Grapevine”, and the release of Gaye’s album In The Groove, Gaye began working on his groundbreaking and controversial album What’s Going On, which he would self-produce.
Tammi Terrell, a singer who often partnered up with Gaye, was diagnosed with a brain tumour, and died three years later in 1970. It was this traumatizing event that sent Gaye into a deep depression. Adding to his sadness were the regular letters from his brother Frankie who was serving a tour of duty in Vietnam. The letters described the violent horrors of war, as well as the angst and conflicted feelings of the soldiers – specifically black soldiers – who were fighting and killing for something they did not believe in. Gaye was a changed man. Motown was no longer enough for him. He wanted something more authentic.
It wasn’t long before Obie Benson showed Gaye one of his songs that he and Al Cleveland had written called “What’s Going On”. Gaye immediately identified with the lyrics, and agreed to self-record and produce the song. Unfortunately, Barry Gordy, Jr., head of Motown, didn’t like the result. “What’s Going On” sounded nothing like the usual Motown release, and Gordy deemed it “too political”, stating it had no chance of making money. In response, Gaye threatened to stop recording for Motown unless the song was released. Gordy relented.
The critics loved it. The populous loved it. What’s Going On and the title track were a hit. Fusing classical and jazz (both instrumentation and composition), What’s Going On was revolutionary in both its musical and lyrical elements, becoming the very first soul concept album, and one of the first soul albums to discuss political and environmental topics.
“What’s Going On” is a song that most everyone has heard. It is hugely influential and incredibly emotional. I have always very much enjoyed the song, but I had never sat down and heard the entire album all the way through. Doing so was a wonderful experience. The other songs echo the title track’s feel and message. There is one word for this album: powerful.
Producer and songwriter Norman Whitfield was simultaneously one of Marvin Gaye’s most valuable acquaintances and one of his worst enemies. With Whitfield constantly pushing Gaye to – and often over – the breaking point in his studio, there were many violent encounters, sometimes bordering on physical altercations. Though the relationship was tense, they had each other to thank for Gaye’s huge Motown success.
After the positive reception of “Grapevine”, renamed to “I Heard It Through the Grapevine”, and the release of Gaye’s album In The Groove, Gaye began working on his groundbreaking and controversial album What’s Going On, which he would self-produce.
Tammi Terrell, a singer who often partnered up with Gaye, was diagnosed with a brain tumour, and died three years later in 1970. It was this traumatizing event that sent Gaye into a deep depression. Adding to his sadness were the regular letters from his brother Frankie who was serving a tour of duty in Vietnam. The letters described the violent horrors of war, as well as the angst and conflicted feelings of the soldiers – specifically black soldiers – who were fighting and killing for something they did not believe in. Gaye was a changed man. Motown was no longer enough for him. He wanted something more authentic.
It wasn’t long before Obie Benson showed Gaye one of his songs that he and Al Cleveland had written called “What’s Going On”. Gaye immediately identified with the lyrics, and agreed to self-record and produce the song. Unfortunately, Barry Gordy, Jr., head of Motown, didn’t like the result. “What’s Going On” sounded nothing like the usual Motown release, and Gordy deemed it “too political”, stating it had no chance of making money. In response, Gaye threatened to stop recording for Motown unless the song was released. Gordy relented.
The critics loved it. The populous loved it. What’s Going On and the title track were a hit. Fusing classical and jazz (both instrumentation and composition), What’s Going On was revolutionary in both its musical and lyrical elements, becoming the very first soul concept album, and one of the first soul albums to discuss political and environmental topics.
“What’s Going On” is a song that most everyone has heard. It is hugely influential and incredibly emotional. I have always very much enjoyed the song, but I had never sat down and heard the entire album all the way through. Doing so was a wonderful experience. The other songs echo the title track’s feel and message. There is one word for this album: powerful.
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