Review of What's Going On by Marvin Gaye
For my first review on Rayview, I wanted to start with a project that felt right to me. I came to the conclusion that it had to be my personal favorite album of all time, “What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye. It might not be the most original choice out there, but this album is a perfect example of what music can be. It’s emotional, it’s beautiful, it’s political, and it does not shy away from being original.
Marvin Gaye was at the lowest point in his life. Troubles in his marriage to Anna Gordy, the building of a massive tax debt (that would later in his career even exile him to Europe), a growing drug addiction, and probably what hit him the most emotionally: Tammi Terrell, his partner in smooth romantic duo soul crime, was diagnosed with a brain tumor that took her life at the incredibly young age of 24. It caused Marvin to fall into a depression that, by 1970, was too much for him to handle. He put a handgun to his head and attempted to commit suicide. Thankfully for Gaye and, to be honest, for all music lovers across the world, the father of Berry Gordy stepped in and saved his life.
Though the father of Berry Gordy saved his life in a very literal way, Marvin Gaye felt his musical career was a lifeless version of his potential. He was not happy with the music he was creating while working for Motown Records and was done being a simple puppet for safe, three-minute romantic love songs. He released “That’s the Way Love Is” but did not promote it, and because his partner Tammi died the same year, Marvin Gaye was not seen performing for roughly two years. During this time, he also switched from the clean-shaven, loved-by-everybody’s-mother persona to the rough sex figure we know today.
Marvin Gaye was already changing into a more conscience and reflective person. When his brother Frankie Gaye returned from the Vietnam War, he brought stories of confusion, fear, and loss. Hearing about the psychological toll the war took on soldiers deeply affected Marvin. The stage was set for creating one of the most influential and legendary albums ever created.
“The police was beatin’ on them, but they weren’t bothering anybody. I saw this, and started wondering what the fuck was going on. What is happening here? One question leads to another. Why are they sending kids so far away from their families overseas? Why are they attacking their own children in the streets here?” – Renaldo “Obie” Benso
It all started with Four Tops bass singer Renaldo “Obie” Benson witnessing police brutality committed against anti-war protesters. Witnessing all of this happening, he brought these experiences to Motown songwriter Al Cleveland in Detroit, forming the first concept draft of “What’s Going On.” After the rest of the Four Tops declined to continue with the production of the song due to it being too political and too much of a protest song, Renaldo offered it to Marvin Gaye. With Gaye even first trying to double it and giving it to the next person, in this case The Originals, Renaldo finally convinced Marvin Gaye to continue upon the promising concept. Though it did have to be tweaked lyrically, turning it from a Four Tops protest song into more of a personal story shaped by everything Gaye had experienced during those turmoil-filled years, it also marked a real revolution in sound through the instrumentals, driven by the Funk Brothers’ mastery of jazz-influenced soul.
“When you heard that song, you could see the people and feel the hurt and pain. We measured him for the suit and he tailored the hell out of it.” – Renaldo “Obie” Benso
The suit felt too political for Motown label head Gordy, who really did not understand the song and thought Marvin was going too far. But with a smooth threat of never releasing anything again, Marvin finally got it released. It became a massive hit, topping the Hot Soul Singles chart for five weeks and selling over two million copies. Funny, because during conversations with the expert Gordy, he allegedly called it:
“The worst thing I’ve ever heard in my life.”
Blown away by the news of “What’s Going On” being such a commercial success, Gordy and Gaye struck a deal. Marvin Gaye was allowed full creative freedom in the creation of the album, with the only rule being that it had to be finished in 30 days, before the end of March. This artistic freedom is probably one of the most important moments in soul music history, as it led to all future Marvin projects having full creative freedom, and not only for Marvin himself but also for other artists like Stevie Wonder, changing the ways of Motown for good.
“Say, man, I just don’t understand what’s going on across this land Ah, what’s happening, brother?”
During the recording and writing of the album, many of the previously mentioned struggles of the late ’60s return for inspiration, with the second song on the album, “What’s Happening Brother,” being directly inspired by his brother and Vietnam War veteran Frankie Gaye. The lyrics are told from the perspective of a serviceman returning to a country he barely recognizes, one that has spit him out after he gave it everything. Everything is different. Are they still getting down where we used to go and dance? What’s happening, brother? What’s happening?The veteran feels like he was left behind in another time and is unable to catch up, leaving him unable to get a job, unable to earn an income, and, let’s be honest, if we compare this to real life, probably cast out onto the street to live the rest of his life in a country he sacrificed everything for.Listening to the instrumentals, a relaxing bongo rhythm plays alongside that bassline recorded by James Jamerson, which was apparently improvised, and it makes me wonder: what’s happening, brother?
“And I go to the place where good feeling awaits me – Self destruction’s in my hand”
“Save the Children” follows up with a different message that shines more of a light on Marvin’s worldview, which was very hopeless and filled mostly with pain. Gaye asked one important question:
“Who really cares to save a world in despair?”
Album Artwork
Cover art by Jim Hendin
The album art for What's Going On perfectly reflects how the album itself sounds. It is a very personal experience, with Marvin Gaye feeling close to you, as if having a conversation, or more accurately, listening to him preach. The beautiful close-up photo of Marvin Gaye was taken by Motown photographer Jim Hendin in Detroit.
It shows Marvin in the iconic pointy-collar raincoat, standing outside in the rain. The color of the album, mainly green with a tint of blue, matches the mood of the music perfectly and also fits with the overall story of Marvin Gaye breaking through his depression and artistic slavery for Motown. Whereas previous album covers of Marvin were colorful or showed him in romantic poses with the biggest smiles possible, this one shows him with a mixed facial expression of weariness, vulnerability, and seriousness.
Though simple, it is a textbook example of photography conveying and enhancing the message of an album through its cover art.
Featured Tracks
editorial
1 rating
It’s a nice album, but I don’t view it as one of the best albums of all time. I see how the concept is great and still relevant today though. The album starts with a great 4 track run, but after that, it gets inconsistent. God is Love, Right On, and Wholy Holy are just weaker than the rest. They’re fine, but don’t belong on a “Greatest album of all time”. There are some highlights, also. The opener and title track of the album is just very beautiful with an incredible arrangement, which also is there on Merc Mercy Me, which I also love. What’s Happening Brother is another amazing track but with that it ends. The two songs that follow it are great as well and so is the closing track of the album, but these three songs are the best in my opinion. This album can be beautiful (Title track), but it also can get boring (Right On). If it were more consistent, I would’ve given it a better score. One thing though: The album is constructed very well, and the songs flow nicely into each other. The light production is also incredible, it’s airy and easy to listen to. Marvin Gayes voice (and what a voice) is mixed well, and so are the strings, which add a lot of depth and fullness to the tracks they’re used in.