What's Happening Brother
Marvin Gaye(마빈 게이) Lyrics
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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
What's going on across this land
Ah what's happening brother,
Ay, what's happening, 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
What's happening brother
Ah what's happening brother
What's happening my man
Ah what's happening brother
Say it man!
What's happening brother
What's been shaken up and down the line
I want to know 'cause I'm slightly behind the time
Marvin Gaye's "What's Happening Brother" is a poignant message song about the state of the US during the Vietnam War. In this song, Gaye expresses his concerns about the state of the nation, muses over the progress made in the world, points out that he can't find work, and wonders about his friends' lives. The song was made at a time when many soldiers were returning from the war and worried about the state of their country.
Gaye starts the song by inquiring what good the lady he's speaking to knows. She is pleased to see that he is back, as she knew he would be. Gaye goes on to discuss the war and declare that "War is hell" and asks when it will end, and when people will start getting together again. Gaye then suggests that the state of the world is not getting better as the paper claims. He laments the lack of employment and how the money is tighter than ever. He wonders aloud why things are happening in the country as he doesn't understand the current state of affairs.
Gaye concludes that he wants to know what is happening in his community, where they used to go to dance, and if their ball club would win the pennant. He then turns to a friend and asks how he's doing, hoping that everything is well in his life. In conclusion, he is worried that things are changing faster than he can keep up, and he wants to know what's happening.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey baby, what'cha know good
Greetings, my friend. What positive news do you have to share?
I'm just gettin' back, but you knew I would
I have returned as expected, my friend.
War is hell, when will it end,
The effects of war are terrible. When will it come to a stop?
When will people start gettin' together again
When will people unite again and find common ground?
Are things really gettin' better, like the newspaper said
Is the situation truly improving, as the media claims?
What else is new my friend, besides what I read
What other relevant news is there, apart from what I've already heard?
Can't find no work, can't find no job my friend
I'm having difficulty finding employment, my friend.
Money is tighter than it's ever been
Finances are very tight, more than ever before.
Say man, I just don't understand
I'm quite confused, my friend.
What's going on across this land
What is the state of affairs throughout the entire country?
Ah what's happening brother,
My friend, please tell me:
Ay, what's happening, what's happening my man
What's the situation, my friend?
Are they still gettin' down where we used to go and dance
Do people still dance at the places we used to frequent?
Will our ball club win the pennant,
Do you think our sports team will win the championship?
Do you think they have a chance
Do you believe they have a likelihood of succeeding?
And tell me friend, how in the world have you been
How have you been, my friend?
Tell me what's out and I want to know what's in
Please update me on what's fashionable and trendy.
What's the deal man, what's happening
What's going on, my friend?
What's happening brother
Please update me, my friend.
Ah what's happening brother
Please tell me, my friend.
What's happening my man
What's going on, my friend?
Ah what's happening brother
What's the update, my friend?
Say it man!
Please tell me, my friend!
What's happening brother
What's the situation, my friend?
What's been shaken up and down the line
What developments have occurred recently?
I want to know 'cause I'm slightly behind the time
I'd like to know, as I'm not entirely up-to-date.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MARVIN GAYE, MARVIN P GAYE, JAMES NYX
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
El francotirador
Lyrics:
Hey baby, what you 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?
Ay, what's happening? What's happening my man? Woo
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?
What's happening, brother?
Ah, what's happening, brother?
What's happening my man?
Woo, ah, what's happening, brother?
Say it, man, woo
What's happening, brother?
What's been shaking up and down the line?
I want to know 'cause I'm slightly behind the times
Woo-hoo, ooh-ooh
Spegen
as someone who loves soul, R&B, rap and many other genres
I respectfully disagree
rap is "rhythm and poetry" and a lot of modern rap (that are popular) doesn't follow that
I wasn't a fan of rap especially seeing stuff like "Gucci Gang" or those type of rap song that is trash,
but then I got listening to Kendrick, MF DOOM, Aesop Rock, Black Thought, 2Pac, Nas and André 3000 (Outkast or the guy who made "Hey Ya!"/ "Ms. Jackson" "Roses") (Big Boi Included) and it introduced me to another world of place that I wasn't aware of, these rap have poetry, philosophy,
intricate rhymes, figurative, poignant and overall spectatular lyricism embedded to them which was perfect for me (as I like poetry and philosophy)
especially the album "To Pimp A Butterfly" by Kendrick Lamar, it has Jazz, funk, soul, r&b, rock, etc.
It utilizes components of music in such a flawless way (putting this just incase cause people keep saying rap is not music cause it "doesn't use" harmony and melody and components of music in general)
accompanied by it's poetic rapping
and the fact that it has some of the best jazz musicians around and great artists alike (George Clinton included) to be on the album
I don't expect you to change to be honest but I hope that you can be more open-minded and not bash the entirety of rap purely cause of the trash rap songs that are popular and mainstream. It's fine if you don't like rap, but don't bash the entire genre
well have a good day
Carl Rome
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?
Ay, what's happening? What's happening my man? Woo
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?
What's happening, brother?
Ah, what's happening, brother?
What's happening my man?
Woo, ah, what's happening, brother?
Say it, man, woo
What's happening, brother?
What's been shaking up and down the line?
I want to know 'cause I'm slightly behind the times
Woo-hoo, ooh-ooh
Diego Rojas Sebastian
"What's Going On" doesn't exist without "What's Happening Brother", if you ask me. It's two faces of the same coin. One of the most stunning albums ever made, this song brings me to tears every time.
FactsOnlyPlease!
AMEN! He gets right to the point in this cut, but I always wished that it was longer!
The Anointed One
You're right both of the songs are so similar.
newage5D
Add to it Mercy mercy and God is my friend
Lenwood Williams
Rolling Stone magazine voted this the greatest album in the history of the world and I agree with them 💯💯💯💯, and I also agree with you about What's Happening Brother, I think that it's an extension of What's Going On.... And I listen to the album if not every day I listen to it almost everyday....
Angelo Council
Brothers are saying " the only thing they give us, USA's culture, drugs ", it's appears ; some people don't know what happened to the lndians' children still to today n culturvating people cultures;
AsianLightning
This album is truly legendary, one of the most truthful albums that still speaks 50 years later.
Petorina Lee
I agree with you.
Thefunksoulbro
Sadly true, although the tide is turning 🙏
Patrick Stromann
This track has never lost its relevance. America's endless wars...