What's Happening Brother
Everette Harp Lyrics


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Hey baby, what'cha know good
I'm just gettin' back, but you knew I would
War is hell, when will it end,
When will people start gettin' together again
Are things really gettin' better, like the newspaper said
What else is new my friend, besides what I read
Can't find no work, can't find no job my friend
Money is tighter than it's ever been
Say man, I just don't understand
What's going on across this land
Ah what's happening brother,
Oh ya, what's happening my man
Are they still gettin' down where we used to go and dance
Will our ball club win the pennant,
do you think they have a chance
And tell me friend, how in the world have you been.
Tell me what's out and I want to know what's in.
What's the deal man, what's happening
What's happening brother
Ah what's happening brother
What's happening my man
Ah what's happening brother




What's been shaken up and down the line
I want to know cause I'm slightly behind the time.

Overall Meaning

Everette Harp's song What's Happening Brother is a soulful expression of concern and confusion about the state of the world. The song deals with several issues including war, unemployment, and poverty. The opening line, "Hey baby, what'cha know good," suggests a casual exchange between two old friends catching up after a period of absence. The singer laments the ongoing war and wonders when it will end. The repetition of the line, "When will people start gettin' together again," suggests a longing for unity and solidarity among people in the face of conflict and adversity.


The lyrics also highlight the struggles of the working class, with lines like "Can't find no work, can't find no job my friend, money is tighter than it's ever been." There is a sense of frustration and helplessness in the singer's voice as he grapples with the harsh reality of economic hardship. The song then takes a more lighthearted turn as the singer reminisces about old times, wondering if people are still "gettin' down where we used to go and dance." This shift in tone highlights the bittersweet nature of nostalgia, as the singer longs for a simpler time before the world became so complicated.


Line by Line Meaning

Hey baby, what'cha know good
Asking the listener if they know anything about recent occurrences in the world.


I'm just gettin' back, but you knew I would
Acknowledging that the listener was aware that the singer would return.


War is hell, when will it end,
Expressing the opinion that war is a terrible experience.


When will people start gettin' together again
Questioning when individuals will start cooperates with one another and establishing harmony among each other.


Are things really gettin' better, like the newspaper said
Questioning whether the current situation in the world is actually improving or not, as conveyed by the media.


What else is new my friend, besides what I read
Wondering what else is there to know beyond the already known facts.


Can't find no work, can't find no job my friend
Sharing the difficulty of finding job opportunities.


Money is tighter than it's ever been
Describing the financial situation as tighter than ever before.


Say man, I just don't understand
Expressing puzzlement toward what is going on in the world.


What's going on across this land
Asking what is the current scenario in the world.


Ah what's happening brother,
Addressing the listener as 'brother' and inquiring about the current happenings.


Oh ya, what's happening my man
Referring to the listener as 'my man' and repeating the question.


Are they still gettin' down where we used to go and dance
Asking if the places where the singer and the listener used to go and have fun are still functional.


Will our ball club win the pennant,
Questioning the probability of their favorite sports team winning the contest.


do you think they have a chance
Asking the listener if they believe the singer's favorite team has the possibility of winning.


And tell me friend, how in the world have you been.
Asking about the listener's well-being.


Tell me what's out and I want to know what's in.
Enquiring about the current trends and popular things in the world.


What's the deal man, what's happening
Asking again about the current events in the world.


What's happening brother
Repeating the question directly to the listener.


Ah what's happening brother
Using the listener's title again to repeat the question.


What's happening my man
Repeating the question with a friendly term for the listener.


Ah what's happening brother
Using the listener's title again to repeat the question.


What's been shaken up and down the line
Enquiring about the events and changes in the current world scenario.


I want to know cause I'm slightly behind the time.
Requesting information as the artist feels they are getting out of touch with the current situation.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Marvin P Gaye, James Nyx

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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