What’s Going On is the eleventh studio album by American soul singer, songwriter, and producer Marvin Gaye. It was released on May 21, 1971, by the Motown Records-subsidiary label Tamla.

Gaye recorded the album between 1970 and 1971 in sessions at Hitsville U.S.A., Golden World, and United Sound Studios in Detroit, and at The Sound Factory in West Hollywood, California. It was his first album to credit him as a producer and to credit Motown’s in-house studio band, the session musicians known as the Funk Brothers.

What’s Going On is a concept album with most of its songs segueing into the next and has been categorized as a song cycle; the album ends with a reprise of the album’s opening theme. The narrative established by the songs is told from the point of view of a Vietnam veteran returning to his home country to witness hatred, suffering, and injustice. Gaye’s introspective lyrics explore themes of drug abuse, poverty, and the Vietnam War. He has also been credited with promoting awareness of ecological issuesbefore the public outcry over them had become prominent.

• 1What’s Going on – Marvin Gaye, Cleveland, Al
• 2What’s Happening Brother – Marvin Gaye, Gaye, Marvin
• 3Flyin’ High (In the Friendly Sky) – Marvin Gaye, Gaye, Marvin
• 4Save the Children – Marvin Gaye, Cleveland, Al
• 5God Is Love – Marvin Gaye, Gaye, Marvin
• 6Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) – Marvin Gaye, Gaye, Marvin
• 7Right on – Marvin Gaye, Derouen, Earl
• 8Wholy Holy – Marvin Gaye, Cleveland, Al
• 9Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler) – Marvin Gaye, Gaye, Marvin

Marvin Gaye What’s Going On – 50th Anniversary 2LP Edition

Remixes from Acclaimed Producer Salaam Remi

What’s Going On: 50th Anniversary 2LP Edition bonus LP opens up the album’s writing and production palette. Featured are four rare cuts making their vinyl debut, highlighted by a previously unreleased “stripped” version of the title song, plus all six original mono single mixes and their B-sides, with all of those 7″ versions on vinyl for the first time since their original releases. Among them are alternate versions of “God Is Love” and “Flying High (In The Friendly Sky),” the latter issued on 45 as “Sad T

With two 180gm records, a tip-on heavy stock jacket, original gatefold with complete lyrics, this formidable release also includes printed sleeves with track details, a rare image from the cover sessions, and a brief essay honoring arranger David Van De Pitte. Highlighted is a main essay by acclaimed author and poet Hanif Abdurraqib who was just named one of the 25 recipients of the 2021 MacArthur “genius” grant.

With a vulnerable depth and complexity, Marvin Gaye opened the door musically, culturally, and politically for countless musicians over the last five decades to address the injustices of our world. Sitting at the No. 1 spot on Rolling Stone’s 2020 list of “The 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time,” What’s Going On has proven its evergreen relevance and its legacy will continue to influence and shape the music of future generations.

Motown Records – Marvin Gaye – What’s Going On [50th Anniversary / 2LP]