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50 years ago, 21 May 1971, Marvin Gaye’s eleventh studio album was released.
Unusual in the fact it was a concept album it was also a groundbreaking recording still regarded by many as the best that the mainly singles focused Motown ever produced.
Written and produced by Gaye himself, another first for the label, such is the esteem in which this recording is held, it was named #1 in Rolling Stone magazine’s list of 500 of the Greatest albums of all time, and few would argue with that accolade.
Recorded at a very dark time for Gaye, a failing marriage, his longtime duet partner Tammi Terrell had died from a brain tumour, whilst his brother, Frank, had returned home from Vietnam with horror stories that had brought him to tears.
It found Gaye wanting to address social injustice issues in his music, something the label’s Berry Gordy thought would kill his career.
What certainly forced the issue and set the theme for the album was the title track What’s Going On.
After witnessing police brutality in San Francisco, Four Tops singer Obie Benson was prompted to write the song with Motown writer Al Cleveland.
The song eventually found its way to Gaye who agreed to cover it and in Benson’s words, put the finishing touches, adding lyrics and spice to the melody, making it more “ghetto “.
It was just the inspiration Gaye needed to plow headlong into creating such an innovative and significant recording.
With the backing of Motown’s finest musicians, The Funk Brothers, musically and vocally it is Gaye’s crowning glory, an album never to be surpassed from a stable of quite incredible artists.
The rather bizarre fact about the recording of What’s Going On is it almost was never was released as a single and in a stand off with Gordy, Gaye threatened never to record for Gordy again. It eventually sold over 2 million copies and inspired a truly great album.
In an interview with Rolling Stone, Marvin Gaye discussed what had shaped his view on more socially conscious themes in music and the conception of his eleventh studio album:
“In 1969 or 1970, I began to re-evaluate my whole concept of what I wanted my music to say ... I was very much affected by letters my brother was sending me from Vietnam, as well as the social situation here at home.
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.”
Tony Woolway
Track listing
1. "What's Going On"
Marvin Gaye Al Cleveland Renaldo "Obie" Benson
3:53
2. "What's Happening Brother"
Gaye James Nyx Jr.
2:43
3. "Flyin' High (In the Friendly Sky)" Gaye Anna Gordy Gaye Elgie Stover
3:49
4. "Save the Children"
Gaye Cleveland Benson
4:03
5. "God Is Love"
Gaye A. Gaye Stover Nyx
1:41
6. "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)" Gaye 3:16
Side two
No. Title Writer(s) Length
1. "Right On"
Gaye Earl DeRouen
7:31
2. "Wholy Holy"
Gaye Benson Cleveland
3:08
3. "Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)"
Gaye Nyx
5:26
