What’s Goin’ On sung by Marvin Gaye
December 4, 2008 by EditMotown50
Filed under Marvin Gaye, Motown 50 Disc 2
Rolling Stone magazine ranked “What’s Goin’ On” as the fourth greatest song of all time in 2004. It was co-written by Marvin Gaye and was also the title track of his 1971 album. As a single, it reached number 1 in the US R&B charts. Curiously enough, Motown boss Berry Gordy tried to prevent the release of the single originally (deeming it uncommercial) but when Gaye threatened to stop recording altogether for Motown, he relented.
The single eventually sold some 2.5 million records for Motown, making it Marvin Gaye’s biggest popular hit since “I heard it through the Grapevine” in 1968.
Sample “What’s Goin On” on Motown 50 here: Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
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My favourite Marvin Gaye track is still River Deep, but this runs a close second. A contemporary comment on the state of the US at the start of the Seventies. It was obviously heartfelt.