3rd October 2009

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the brilliance of marvin gaye’s “what’s going on”

What’s Going On is the groundbreaking tenth studio album from Mr. Marvin Gaye, released in 1971. Three reasons why I think What’s Going On is one of the best albums of all time.

—>First and foremost, the brooding, sometimes melancholic tracks on What’s Going On were a drastic departure from Marvin’s prior work (upbeat tracks like “It Takes Two”, “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”, “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing”). The songs on the album dealt with deep issues like environmentalism, political corruption, drug abuse, and the Vietnam War:

—>Secondly, the way in which the entire album was structured was revolutionary for soul music. Each song runs into the next, and the nine songs on the album are ordered to tell the story of a returning Vietnam War veteran who is shocked to see injustice and hatred running amok in the country he had just fought to defend. Concept albums were previously property of Pink Floyd, the Who, and Elton John, and it was a big shakedown in the world of soul when Marvin entered the concept-album fray with What’s Going On. (It’s the only Motown/soul concept album I’m familiar with; if there are more, by all means let me know.)

—>Third: The album is truly one solid piece. A big reason for this is a distinctive central musical theme/chord progression that recurs several times throughout the record; kind of a song cycle. The melody comes in and out at key points in the record to unify What’s Going On into more than just a collection of songs, but a singular, well-crafted work.

I wanted to point out the recurring theme each place it appears and lead those not familiar through this unbelievable soul album. (Actually this subject is one of the original ideas that initially spurred me to start writing t t j m d.)

After some exceedingly scientific youtube research (as is done with most of my posts), here is the case-study. I’ll embed the video for each song in which the theme appears, and provide links to the point in each song where the theme comes up; just in case you just want to hear the theme in each song.

Enjoy the majesty that is Marvin Gaye…

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—>Track One / Track Two - “What’s Going On” / “What’s Happening Brother”

The record starts off with a sequence of two songs, both excellent in their own right. (“What’s Happening Brother” begins at 3:52.)

The chord progression that will recur again and again to set the tone of the record originally appears in “What’s Going On” at 1:37, and again at 2:57. The same chord progression/theme appears again right at the beginning of in “What’s Happening Brother” at 3:52, albeit a little slowed down.

—>Track Three: “Flyin’ High (In the Friendly Sky)”

The repeating theme doesn’t appear in “Flyin’ High (In the Friendly Sky)”, but it’s a very interesting song nonetheless. Grandiose percussion and strings quietly accompany Marvin’s lamenting voice, to complete a song that almost sounds like a plea for help.

—>Track Four - “Save the Children”

“Save the Children” also doesn’t feature the elusive chord progression. It’s a call-and-answer, fatalistic song that questions why we (the royal “we”) “should save a world that is destined to die.” The song finds its answer: we should save it for the children. [I think Michael Jackson took notes on this song for this, this, and of COURSE this.]

—>Track Five - “God is Love”

Marvin comforts the masses with his assertion that “God is Love” (I always thought love was a battlefield. Oh well. Tomato tom-ahh-to.) “…And all he asks of us is that we give each other love.” Good point, Marv. The song ends abruptly, as it rolls right into “Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)” to finish Side 1 of the record…

—>Track Six - “Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)”

And we find, once again, the recurring melody within this a beautiful song. The progression kicks back in at 2:12 to close out Side 1 of the record.

—>Track Seven - “Right On”

Side 2 opens up with “Right On”; a completely different sound from the first six songs. And featuring a pretty mean yazz flute. Much funkier than the first half of the record. But still with the same amount of signature Marvin whooping.

—>Track Eight - “Wholy Holy”

Similar in style to “Flyin’ High” earlier on the record, “Wholy Holy” is a slow, deliberate, melodically aesthetic song where Marvin ruminates on holiness in general. (Although isn’t “wholy” actually spelled “wholly”? I’ll let it slide THIS time, Marvin Gaye, but only because you won 4,687 Grammys.)

—>Track Nine - “Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)”

And so, we reach the end of What’s Going On, and it really couldn’t end in a better fashion: with my favorite song on the record. The track has a sublimely mellow funk feel, featuring one Marvin Gaye on piano. If you don’t nod your head like yeah to this, you should probably reconsider everything about yourself. I can’t really explain how much I love this song. Give it a few listens.

The best part, of course, is the end: where the rhythm breaks down at about 4:18, and then Marvin reverts back to lyrics from the opening track (“What’s Going On”) alongside cascading piano lines. And THEN, the record as a whole comes full circle.

At 4:53, the original and recurring chord progression eases back in, and softly ends the record: just as it opened the record, and just as it ended the first side of the record.

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And WHEW. I’m spent. What a collection of music. The thematic elements and cohesive concept notwithstanding, these songs are all just great songs. The fact that they’re bound together with common themes and a plot just makes the collection that much more interesting. And the much-discussed chord progression that spans the album and makes so many appearances makes the record into one unified work.

Here’s the express version of each of the progression’s appearances, all directly linked to those appearances:

Track One: “What’s Going On” (and a second location)

Track Two: “What’s Happening Brother”

Track Six: “Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)”

Track Nine: “Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)”

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Hope you enjoyed listening through What’s Going On, truly one of the great records of all time. Thanks for reading, as always, and we’ll see you soon.