What's Going On
Cyndi Lyrics

Mother, mother
Cyndi Lauper addresses mother, as a symbol of compassion and care

There's too many of you crying
She acknowledges that there are too many people crying, a symbol of pain and suffering

Brother, brother, brother
She also addresses brother, another symbol of kinship and fraternity

There's far too many of you dying
She recognizes that many people are dying, a symbol of violence and injustice

You know we've got to find a way
Cyndi Lauper believes that a solution must be found to these problems

To bring some lovin' here today
She suggests that love must be brought into the world to eradicate hate and violence

Father, father
Cyndi Lauper also addresses father, as a symbol of guidance and authority

This don't need to escalate
She makes it clear that violence is not the answer to the problems we face

You see, war is not the answer
She repeats the message that war will only lead to more suffering

For only love can conquer hate
She believes that only love can overcome hate and violence

Picket lines and picket signs
She mentions picket lines and picket signs as symbols of protest against injustice

Don't punish me with brutality
She pleads against being punished with physical force and brutality

Talk to me, so you can see
She asks for dialogue and communication to foster empathy and understanding

Oh, what's going on?
She wonders what is happening in the world, why so much pain and suffering exists

Everybody thinks we're wrong
She recognizes the prevalence of different opinions and judgments

Who are they to judge us
She challenges the authority others assume to judge and condemn

Just because our hair is long
She points out how trivial and superficial differences can be the basis for discrimination and persecution

To bring some understanding here today
She emphasizes the importance of understanding to resolve conflicts and bring peace

Tell me what's going on
Cyndi Lauper calls for someone to explain and make sense of the current state of affairs