Les Hooper is a composer from Los Angeles, USA. His music ranges from class… Read Full Bio ↴Les Hooper is a composer from Los Angeles, USA. His music ranges from classical to blues and jazz; from commercials to concert commissions. His credits include movies, TV, commercials, live performances, orchestral commissions, and many published pieces of music. There are Emmies and Grammy nominations, as well as Cleos and film festival awards.

What's Goin' On?
Les Hooper Lyrics

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Mother, mother
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, yea

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

Picket lines and picket signs
Don't punish me with brutality
Talk to me, so you can see
Oh, what's going on
What's going on
Ya, what's going on
Ah, what's going on

In the mean time
Right on, baby
Right on
Right on

Father, father, everybody thinks we're wrong
Oh, but who are they to judge us
Simply because our hair is long
Oh, you know we've got to find a way
To bring some understanding here today
Oh

Picket lines and picket signs
Don't punish me with brutality
Talk to me
So you can see
What's going on
Ya, what's going on
Tell me what's going on
I'll tell you what's going on - Uh

Right on baby
Right on baby

Overall Meaning

Les Hooper's "What's Going On" is a tribute to civil rights and anti-war movements that were prevalent in the United States during the 1960s and 1970s. The song begins with the acknowledgement of the increasing number of people crying for justice, and dying as a result of war. The lyrics then suggest that love is the only answer to hate and war, and calls for bringing more peace and love into the world. The next verse refers to the protests of the time, and reiterates the call for understanding and communication, rather than violence and brutality.

Line by Line Meaning

Mother, mother There's too many of you crying
There are too many mothers crying over their lost children

Brother, brother, brother There's far too many of you dying
There are too many brothers dying, and it's not okay

You know we've got to find a way To bring some lovin' here today, yea
We need to find a way to bring love and peace to our troubled world

Father, father We don't need to escalate
We don't need to make things worse

You see, war is not the answer For only love can conquer hate
Love, not war, is the solution to our problems

Picket lines and picket signs Don't punish me with brutality
Picketing should not lead to violence and aggression

Talk to me, so you can see Oh, what's going on
Let's talk and understand each other's problems

Ya, what's going on Ah, what's going on
We need to figure out what's happening and fix it

Father, father, everybody thinks we're wrong Oh, but who are they to judge us Simply because our hair is long
Don't judge people based on how they look, or what they believe in

Oh, you know we've got to find a way To bring some understanding here today Oh
We need to strive for understanding and mutual respect

Tell me what's going on I'll tell you what's going on - Uh Right on baby Right on baby
Let's work together to make things right

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Alfred W Cleveland, Marvin P Gaye, Renaldo Benson

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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