It's Valentine's Day, and I felt that there couldn't be a better way to re-invigorate our drive for optimism and hope in the face of despair than with a song from Motown legend Marvin Gaye. "What's Going On" was written during the time of the Nixon Presidency and the Vietnam War; today, during another imperial presidency which seeks to escalate yet another unjust war, Marvin Gaye's words and his music are no less powerful.
Amazing Live Performance from 1972
This performance also features the awesome bass playing of the legendary James Jamerson - one of the only live appearances he made, as he usually stuck to studio work. Enjoy!
lyrics
What's Going On - Marvin Gaye, 1971.
Mother, mother
There's too many of you crying
Brother, brother, brother
There's far too many of you dying
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some lovin' here today - Ya
Father, father
We don't need to escalate
You see, war is not the answer
For only love can conquer hate
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some lovin' here today
Picket lines and picket signs
Don't punish me with brutality
Talk to me, so you can see
Oh, what's going on
What's going on
Ya, what's going on
Ah, what's going on
In the mean time
Right on, baby
Right on
Right on
Father, father, everybody thinks we're wrong
Oh, but who are they to judge us
Simply because our hair is long
Oh, you know we've got to find a way
To bring some understanding here today
Oh
Picket lines and picket signs
Don't punish me with brutality
Talk to me
So you can see
What's going on
Ya, what's going on
Tell me what's going on
I'll tell you what's going on - Uh
Right on baby
Right on baby