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Total ratings: 5206
Length: 3:46
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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
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, oh (oh)
Picket lines ''(sister)'' and picket signs ''(sister)''
Don't punish me ''(sister)'' with brutality ''(sister)''
Talk to me ''(sister)'', so you can see ''(sister)''
Oh, what's going on ''(what's going on)''
What's going on ''(what's going on)''
Yeah, what's going on ''(what's going on)''
Oh, what's going on ''(what's going on)''
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 ''(brother)'' and picket signs ''(brother)''
Don't punish me ''(brother)'' with brutality ''(brother)''
Come on, talk to me ''(brother)'', so you can see ''(brother)''
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)''
If this song does not rate as a 10, then there is no 10.
you just inspired me to make it a 10
In the 60s, "escalate" was a very highly charged political term referring to escalating the war in Vietnam. Political leaders (that is to say, hawks) promulgated a policy of escalation that would send someone else's sons off to die in a useless and futile war. Thus began a long decline in public trust of political leaders who entirely failed the U.S. in the 60s and accelerated through Nixon.
Sad times but it left an enduring musical legacy that may never be surpassed.
Well summarized. Thanks!
And for our next act... Ukraine.
Man, you could not be more right. The levels of crazy over Ukraine today outstrip anything I remember from Vietnam, Iraq or Afghanistan.
In the 60s, "escalate" was a very highly charged political term referring to escalating the war in Vietnam. Political leaders (that is to say, hawks) promulgated a policy of escalation that would send someone else's sons off to die in a useless and futile war. Thus began a long decline in public trust of political leaders who entirely failed the U.S. in the 60s and accelerated through Nixon.
Sad times but it left an enduring musical legacy that may never be surpassed.
Very well stated! GREAT TUNE!! Thanx RP!
In the 60s, "escalate" was a very highly charged political term referring to escalating the war in Vietnam. Political leaders (that is to say, hawks) promulgated a policy of escalation that would send someone else's sons off to die in a useless and futile war. Thus began a long decline in public trust of political leaders who entirely failed the U.S. in the 60s and accelerated through Nixon.
Sad times but it left an enduring musical legacy that may never be surpassed.
52 years since this song came out and we're still asking "What's going on?".
I wrote a dissertation long ago about the Vietnam War and why it was lost. The biggest and best documented reason was that America poured more and more money into a cesspool of corruption that they themselves created within South Vietnamese society.
Documents are now coming out about the ridiculous levels of graft and corruption in Afghanistan during our time there. No lessons were learned in all that we lost in 'Nam. So we do it all over again, and again, and again.
The more things change...
Very true!! Read: "Secrets" by Daniel Ellsburg (Pentagon Papers fame) . & "In Retrospect" by Robert McNamara (Secretary of Defense under JFK & LBJ). Both books confirm what you stated in great detail!! Both books are great & worth reading!!
Will we never learn?
I wrote a dissertation long ago about the Vietnam War and why it was lost. The biggest and best documented reason was that America poured more and more money into a cesspool of corruption that they themselves created within South Vietnamese society.
Documents are now coming out about the ridiculous levels of graft and corruption in Afghanistan during our time there. No lessons were learned in all that we lost in 'Nam. So we do it all over again, and again, and again.
The more things change...
And for our next act... Ukraine.
Thank you for sharing this.
So you can see
What's goin on
Still so true today
Ever notice how musically interesting the bass is in this song? It is both the melodic and rhythmic center of this song (apart from Mr. Gaye, of course). James Jamerson was one of a kind.
IMO the "melodic and rhythmic center" of all Motown songs he played in. From John Paul Jones to Jaco Pastorius, it's impossible to find a bassist with some jazz/blues orientation who wasn't influenced by him. And to think that he was only paid $50 (I think around $300 today) per song, with no retainer or royalties, for a long period of time.
I really like this song, but I can't stand the constant and repetitive "party" conversation running in the background:
"What's happening?"
"Right on!"
"What's happening?"
"Right on!",....
Sure wish there was a version without all that distracting stuff.
distracting to you, but to others it helps to make the song even better than it would be without it.
while I enjoy what they produced in their short, often tragic lives, what could they have produced if they lived for another 44 years.
then again, bright stars and all that.....
His father put up with the drugging. the chaos long enough, and at the end Marvin was violent.
And "drugging" is a legitimate reason to kill someone?
what planet do you live on?
and his father with his running around in women's clothing and beating Marvin and his wife senseless? That's ok then in your eyes is it?
Man your such plonker! 🤫
This is as real and respectful of a way that I can ask this question: Who can both rate this a 1 and like Radio Paradise? I just can't see those things as existing together.
I can't figure anyone rating this a '1', much less an RP listener.
Combination of a beautiful voice, great melody, and man - the lyrics.
"What's happening?"
"Right on!"
"What's happening?"
"Right on!",....
Sure wish there was a version without all that distracting stuff.
I wrote a dissertation long ago about the Vietnam War and why it was lost. The biggest and best documented reason was that America poured more and more money into a cesspool of corruption that they themselves created within South Vietnamese society.
Documents are now coming out about the ridiculous levels of graft and corruption in Afghanistan during our time there. No lessons were learned in all that we lost in 'Nam. So we do it all over again, and again, and again.
The more things change...
I have long felt the government failed to explain why. They just said do. That was the wrong point. By far.
Holy buckets, this album will be 50 in May. Relevant as ever indeed!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/What's_Going_On_(Marvin_Gaye_album)
Sorry, that's political. It's oozing out of my pores.
If you're offended, have a beer and email me in the morning.
Thank you for doing your part to make civil war the answer... Marvin, were he alive, wouldn't approve.
Sorry, that's political. It's oozing out of my pores.
If you're offended, have a beer and email me in the morning.
Thank you for doing your part to make civil war the answer... Marvin, were he alive, wouldn't approve.
Gaye intervened in a fight between his parents on the afternoon of April 1, 1984 in the family house in the West Adams district of Los Angeles, and he became involved in a physical altercation with his father Marvin Gay Sr. Gay Sr. shot Gaye twice, once in the chest, piercing his heart, and then into Gaye’s shoulder. The shooting took place in Gaye's bedroom at 12:38 p.m. The first shot proved fatal. Gaye was pronounced dead at 1:01 p.m. after his body arrived at California Hospital Medical Center, one day short of his 45th birthday.
His father put up with the drugging. the chaos long enough, and at the end Marvin was violent.
If not now, when?
RIP Marvin Gaye.
"Everything is everything."
I wrote a dissertation long ago about the Vietnam War and why it was lost. The biggest and best documented reason was that America poured more and more money into a cesspool of corruption that they themselves created within South Vietnamese society.
Documents are now coming out about the ridiculous levels of graft and corruption in Afghanistan during our time there. No lessons were learned in all that we lost in 'Nam. So we do it all over again, and again, and again.
The more things change...
Unfortunately, the same crap. Maybe worse.
Truly one of the greatest albums of the 70's; and perhaps one of the greatest ever.
Greatgreat segue from John Coltrane's "Naima". Who opened this with the sax?
Trane died at 40, Marvin was gone at 44--such a shame.
As the story goes, Marvin handed his father the gun that ended his life.
A self fulfilling prophecy?
Only Chicago?
307 mass shootings across the US in first 312 days off 2018, i.e. one each day.
https://www.businessinsider.co...
Give that gun control nonsense a rest.
True today.
True tomorrow.
Only 28 are a perfect 10.
This is one of them.
I agree I lower my rating 3
This entire album is transcendental.
Yep...clearly worth playing twice !
Okay, weird....I’m watching twilight zone and listening tonRPBduring commercials. One song ended and the same song started again....
dun dun dun!!!
So very nice we got to hear it twice.
OR
"Was it the same cat?"
For me its a godlike timeless classic and part of an album that is a touchstone for it's era politically. I already loved it and then I saw a documentary about Marvin doing a concert days after a nearby riot and despite warnings from police his gig might start a riot. Instead his gig was credited with easing tensions.
I'm with you on this one, Sloggydog....make LOVE not WAR, right? Hell....I've been at 9 too long on this GEM...so 9→10.
PEACE and LONG LIVE RP!!
For me its a godlike timeless classic and part of an album that is a touchstone for it's era politically. I already loved it and then I saw a documentary about Marvin doing a concert days after a nearby riot and despite warnings from police his gig might start a riot. Instead his gig was credited with easing tensions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDTXljIqxRE
So true!
Timeless, yes! What a great message, and really too bad that this isn't the 'default' thought process for EVERYONE on earth. Why should we kill each and destroy when we can love and create instead? (unfortunately I think $$ has a lot to do with it)
This is a 10 rated track for me
frantically bobbing positive emoji
Lem Barney, too.
HOF #20.
56 career INTs. Many of them off Minn. QBs.
Jamerson's bass on this track is iconic. The story is that he came in from a night of carousing, hung over, read through the charts once, and played the most amazing bass track ever. Years later after Motown moved to LA, a local wise guy—having heard the story about how it was invented—bet Jamerson a good deal of money that he couldn't recreate it on the spot. Jamerson collected.
Yes, that is really an outstanding bass track, very melodic and tasty without "over-doing it": perfect.
Sorry, that's political. It's oozing out of my pores.
If you're offended, have a beer and email me in the morning.
Lem Barney, too.
CKLW in the 1960's was the best AM radio in the land.
Motown and Beatles and everything in between.
I grew up in burbs of Detroit, fond fond memories of CKLW, and growing up in the Motown sound. A very good documentary "Standing in the Shadows of Motown" amazing video! Worth seeing.
oldsaxon wrote:
Where are today's voices? We have fallen into the trap and I wish...hope, really...that someone will stand up and say these things again.
There are probably still a lot of people saying "these things"; whether or not anyone is listening is another story.
so true
45 years later and the lyrics sound like they were written today
Too true. This one and Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler) also.
Motown and Beatles and everything in between.
Have to agree. Didn't hear much beyond top 40 on WJR back then.
This is one of those songs I remember hearing blare from a car speaker hanging from the visor on the school bus with an AM radio sitting precariously on the dashboard.
This is sweet music to my soul.
kimschoice wrote:
Right on....Another 10 is Mercy Mercy Me on my short list
Right on....Another 10 is Mercy Mercy Me on my short list
"Right on, brutha!"
45 years later and the lyrics sound like they were written today
Not entirely
Everybody thinks we're wrong
Oh, but who are they to judge us
Simply 'cause our hair is long
but replace hair with beard and it will hold for at least another decade
45 years later and the lyrics sound like they were written today
So true. Composed by Obie Benson
Cool!
45 years later and the lyrics sound like they were written today
CKLW in the 1960's was the best AM radio in the land.
Motown and Beatles and everything in between.
We all miss you dude.
Marvin & his drugs had made his father's life a living hell. And no one regretted that shooting more than he.
This is not really true. Marvin Jr. was no saint and had problems with paranoia and drug abuse, but his father shot him in cold blood.
Marvin's father was an abusive man and it was his abuse of Marvin's mother that lead Jr to confront him physically. Shortly after the physical altercation, Marvin Sr. returned to Jr's room and shot him in the heart. Then he fired another round into his son from point blank range. Marvin Sr. swore if any child of his ever put a hand on him he would kill him/her. And so he did.
Right on baby.
Father, father
We don't need to escalate
You see, war is not the answer
For only love can conquer hate
Sadly, his father didn't heed the words. Makes me shiver.
Marvin & his drugs had made his father's life a living hell. And no one regretted that shooting more than he.
Is this song ONE MINUTE past its expiration date?
Just how stupid, or how brilliant, can human beings be?