MARVIN GAYE – His 55 Year Old Hit Single ‘WHAT’S GOING ON’ Is Highly Relevant Again Today
Top singles from the past
21 January 2026
The late great soul giant MARVIN GAYE (1939-1984) released
his hit single WHAT’S GOING ON, the title track of his 11th LP,
on 21 Jan 1971, today 55 years ago.
It went to #2 in the US. It would sell over two million
copies. More than 353 million streams on Spotify.
The album tackles police brutality and violence, other
socially related injustices, war, and climatic conditions.
Highly relevant again today.
“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, yeah
“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)
What’s going on (What’s going on)
Right on, baby
Mother, mother
Everybody thinks we’re wrong
Oh, but who are they to judge us
Simply ’cause our hair is long
Oh, you know we’ve got to find a way
To bring some understanding here today
Picket lines and picket signs
Don’t punish me with brutality
Come on talk to me
So you can see
What’s going on (What’s going on)
Yeah, what’s going on (What’s going on)
Tell me what’s going on (What’s going on)
I’ll tell you, what’s going on (What’s going on)
Right on, baby, right on”
