When Marvin Gaye released What’s Going On in 1971, it initially intended to be rooted in the issues of 70s America. Instead, it predicted the United States’ social conditioning on issues that still plague the Western world today.
By 1971, Gaye grew disillusioned with several aspects of his life. Chief among them was his waning relationship with his Motown label, a revolutionary label that was among the first to take African American artists seriously in mainstream music. The Detroit label propelled Gaye to international stardom in the 50s and 60s with hits such as “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.”
Gaye’s influence on Motown had cross-cultural appeal and introduced the privileged white music industry to the burgeoning soul and rhythm and blues genres that formed the crux of Motown’s sound.
In the 60s, America was in its economic and cultural boom. This contrasted with the growing civil rights peace movements that first brought the bubbling social issues to the broader American consciousness. Gaye grew frustrated Motown was oblivious to these issues, seemingly neglecting the opportunity to be an outlet for social change.
This was confirmed when Gaye released his album What’s Going On—a socially conscious album that marked a stark contrast with his idyllic persona of the 50s, which had brought Motown and Gaye so much success with an audience that wanted their music like they wanted their society, docile. Berry Gordy, the Motown label head, was hesitant to release a protest album, leading Gaye to threaten to never record for Motown again if the album wasn’t released.
The first track “What’s Going On?” perfectly captured the essence of what Gaye endeavours to ask of his audience, but what he seeks to find within himself. Noting later that “God wrote this album,” Gaye looked to achieve something he had never done before musically.
This track is Gaye at his most despondent, his faith shaken not only in God but society. He petitions mothers, fathers, and brothers with the eponymous question, and seemingly gets no answer from anyone he asks.
This hopelessness is shattered in the last portion of the song, with the swelling strings, drums, and bass indicating Gaye’s resolve and mission to find the answer himself.
In a prophetic track, Gaye discusses ecological disaster on “Mercy Me (The Ecology).” With the line “Oil wasted on the oceans and upon our seas/fish full of mercury,” Gaye brings attention to an issue largely unbroken in mainstream Western culture at the time.
The song serves as a warning from Gaye to society while reminding listeners of an issue yet unsolved.
The album is cathartic and poetic for both Gaye and the listener. The album’s arc charts Gaye’s personal revitalization, reaffirming his faith in love and cooperation and our capacity to achieve both.
The narrative across the album moves from nihilism to optimism. The album’s emotional through line, underpinned by real social tensions makes What’s Going On a masterpiece.
The album was a landmark accomplishment for African American artists, marking the first concept album for soul music. Concept albums at this time were reserved for “white” genres including rock ‘n’ roll. Gaye laid the groundwork for Black artists to explore storytelling in their music, such as Kendrick Lamar on his album To Pimp a Butterfly.
Though the album’s question goes unanswered, Gaye’s work conveys its most enduring and important message. He leaves it to the audience to rationalize the world we inhabit, with neither government nor possessions providing the means for solving society’s great issues.
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