By Baylor Brooks
What’s Going On was a groundbreaking album by R&B and Soul artist Marvin Gaye, as the record turns fifty years old, it’s just as relevant as ever. From the lyrics reflecting on the harsh treatment of African-Americans in the United States, to the revolutionary sonic sounds on several tracks.
The concept album came out in May of 1971. Gaye wanted to focus on making his music more socially relevant, he was quoted as saying, “I realized that I had to put my own fantasies behind me if I wanted to write songs that would reach the souls of people. I wanted them to take a look at what was happening in the world.” One of the main inspirations for the album was Gaye’s brother, Frankie, a Vietnam veteran. The theme of war and violence hangs over the entire album. The title track states “Brother, brother, brother. There’s far too many of you dying.” Marvin Gaye chooses a gentle approach to the album, he never shouts or screams, his voice is soft and soothing, simply asking for change in his country. The jazz, orchestral, and gospel influences gives the entire album a fresh and new feel despite being over fifty years old. Inspiration is still felt to this day as the themes and lyrics are sadly just as relevant in today’s world. As of the most recent list, Rolling Stone Magazine ranks it as number one on the 500 greatest albums of all time list.
The closing track to the record is “Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holla).” This song discusses the frustrations that Marvin Gaye feels, as the album closes, he’s fed up. Some of the key topics being the horrid treatment of Black Americans, reasons like war, economic trouble, and police brutality. He continues to repeat the phrases “Makes me wanna holla, the way they do my life” and “This ain’t livin” in the background of the song. A haunting chant to end the record. To quote one of the final verses, “Mother, Mother, Who are they to judge us?”
The Walnut Street Journal 