Marvin gaye whats going on lyrics meaning

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It’s blood on the ground, and it’s happening again and again.

You know we’ve got to find a way
To bring some loving here today

This is the first call to action in the song.

Gaye doesn’t offer a complex strategy. It encourages listeners to reflect on the societal issues and injustices that persist, urging them to seek answers and take action.

As the song progresses, Gaye acknowledges societal judgments, particularly regarding appearances with the line "Mother, mother, everybody thinks we're wrong, simply 'cause our hair is long." This line represents the generational and cultural divides of the era and reinforces the need for understanding and acceptance.

In conclusion, "What's Going On" by Marvin Gaye is a poignant commentary on the social and political upheaval of its time.

“Fortunate Son” by Creedence Clearwater Revival

“Fortunate Son” takes aim at the class divide during the Vietnam War. It shows how the rich and powerful avoid the consequences of the war while others are forced to fight.

Related: “Fortunate Son” Song Meaning


4.

This timeless masterpiece seems irreplaceable, its influence transcending eras. The song's recurring phrases and imagery underscore these themes, making it a timeless call for empathy and unity in a world marked by division and strife.

Lyrics

Addressing "mother," likely representing motherly care and compassion.

There's too many of you crying

Expressing concern about the number of people who are crying, indicating widespread suffering.

Brother, brother, brother

Addressing "brother," suggesting a sense of brotherhood and unity.

There's far too many of you dying

Expressing distress over the high number of people dying, possibly due to conflict or hardship.

You know we've got to find a way

Emphasizing the need to find a solution or path forward.

To bring some lovin' here today, eh eh

Urging the importance of bringing love and compassion to the present moment.


Addressing "father," potentially representing authority figures or those in power.

We don't need to escalate

Discouraging the escalation of conflicts or violence.

You see, war is not the answer

Asserting that war is not the solution and that love is the only way to overcome hatred.

Reiterating the need to find a path to love and unity.

You know we've got to find a way

Urging the importance of bringing love and compassion to the present moment.

To bring some lovin' here today, oh oh oh


Picket lines and picket signs

Mentioning "picket lines and picket signs," which may symbolize protests and social unrest.

Don't punish me with brutality

Expressing a desire not to be treated brutally or violently as a result of protesting.

Talk to me, so you can see

Encouraging open communication and dialogue to foster understanding.

Questioning the current state of affairs, asking what is happening.

Repeating the question, "What's going on?" to emphasize the need for answers.

Repeating the question, seeking clarity and understanding.

Repeating the question to stress the importance of finding out what is happening.


Referring to the present time, suggesting an urgency to address the issues at hand.

Encouraging positive actions and attitudes.

Acknowledging and supporting brotherhood and unity.

Encouraging a positive outlook and attitude.


Mother, mother, everybody thinks we're wrong

Addressing "mother" again, with a focus on public perception and judgment.

Oh, but who are they to judge us

Questioning the judgment of others based on appearance, specifically mentioning long hair.

Simply 'cause our hair is long

Stressing the need for understanding and acceptance.

Oh, you know we've got to find a way

Reiterating the importance of finding a way to foster understanding.

Urging the importance of bringing understanding to the current situation.


Picket lines and picket signs

Repeating the mention of "picket lines and picket signs" as symbols of protests.

Don't punish me with brutality

Reiterating the desire not to be treated brutally due to protests.

Encouraging open communication and dialogue as a means to address issues.

Emphasizing the importance of talking to foster understanding.

Repeating the question "What's going on?" to seek answers.

Repeating the question, emphasizing the need for clarity.

Asking for information and understanding about the current situation.

I'll tell you what's going on, ooh ooh ooh ooh

Offering to provide insights into what is happening.

Encouraging positive actions and attitudes.

Reiterating the call for positive actions and attitudes.

Marvin Gaye SongsPublished: December 21, 2023

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People have to choose to change it.


Chorus: Protest and Brutality

Picket lines (Sister) and picket signs (Sister)

This describes a protest and people demanding change.

The repeated “Sister” shows solidarity and urgency, like a plea to pay attention.

These aren’t random protests.

This plea for non-violence underscores the futility of war and suggests that love is the only antidote to the hatred and hostility that fuel such conflicts.

The mention of "picket lines and picket signs" and the request "Don't punish me with brutality, talk to me so you can see what's going on" highlight the importance of open communication and understanding.

It marked a turning point in the journey of Motown’s musical style, proving that songs carrying meaningful social messages could also find a place in the hearts of the masses. The masterwork captures the spirit of the early 1970s, highlighting a period marked by activism, civil unrest, and a passionate call for change.

The Vietnam War was at its height, and many young American men of every color were being drafted, sent overseas, and returned in coffins.

The song’s inception began with Cleveland, but it was with Gaye’s input that it evolved into the iconic track we know today. Beyond its commercial success, the song carries a profound meaning, delving into Gaye’s fervent social and environmental apprehensions. However, its impact went way beyond just numbers and positions.

He simply asks for kindness and compassion.

He’s saying that the solution isn’t more anger, it’s love.


Verse 2: War and the Wrong Solutions

Father, father
We don’t need to escalate

Just like with “mother” and “brother,” “father” may represent authority, possibly political leaders, military officials, or older generations.

The word “escalate” is referring to war and the rising tensions in everyday life.

This work stands as the best-selling album of Gaye’s illustrious career.

marvin gaye whats going on lyrics meaning

The profound grief and introspection following Terrell’s passing resonated with the deep emotional undercurrents present in “What’s Going On.” Moreover, Gaye’s documented struggles, including his battles with depression and substance abuse, underscore the song’s poignancy. A songwriter and guitarist with more than 20 years of experience, he brings a lyrics-first perspective to music, both in creation and analysis.

“What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye is a profound reflection on the turbulent times of the late 1960s and early 1970s, addressing issues of war, poverty, and civil rights.

It highlights how people focus on appearances instead of substance.

Long hair, a symbol of the 1960s counterculture, becomes a stand-in for all the ways society wrongly labels peaceful protestors as rebels or threats.

Oh, you know we’ve got to find a way
To bring some understanding here today

In the final lines, the message shifts from “love” to “understanding.”

Love might be the goal, but the first step is just listening and actually seeing each other as human beings.


“What’s Going On” Song Meaning: A Plea for Peace in a Time of Chaos

“What’s Going On” came out during one of the most difficult periods in modern U.S.

history. “People Got to Be Free” is a powerful call for tolerance and peace.


5. Inspired by the social upheavals of the late 1960s, including the civil rights movement and anti-Vietnam War protests, Gaye wanted to create a song that addressed these issues head-on. The country was stuck in the Vietnam War and civil rights protests were met with violence.

It was a reflection, a mirror held up to a society in turmoil. And how can we stop hurting each other? This line signifies the pain and suffering experienced by individuals, particularly African Americans, in a society fraught with racial inequality and unrest.