What's Going On
Music Relief 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

In this iconic song by Marvin Gaye, he addresses the social and political issues of his time, focussing on poverty, war, and civil rights in the United States. The opening lyrics, "Mother, Mother, there's too many of you crying / Brother, brother, brother, there's far too many of you dying" highlight the pain and sorrow caused by the Vietnam War, and how it affected not just its victims, but their loved ones too. Gaye calls for people to come together and find a way to bring love and understanding into the situation, rather than escalating the war.


The chorus repeats the question "What's going on?" and Gaye urges people to look beyond the surface level struggles of picket lines and signs and instead strive for real communication and connection. He also speaks to the cultural divide of the time with the lyric "Father, father, everybody thinks we're wrong / Oh, but who are they to judge us / Simply because our hair is long," highlighting the generational gap between the youth culture and the establishment. Overall, What's Going On is a poignant and bittersweet call for peace and unity in a time of strife.


Line by Line Meaning

Mother, mother There's too many of you crying
Addressing mothers of the world, highlighting that there are too many people crying due to miseries and sorrows around them.


Brother, brother, brother There's far too many of you dying
Addressing brothers of the world, highlighting that there are far too many people dying due to conflicts, wars, and violence.


You know we've got to find a way To bring some lovin' here today, yea
Expressing the urgent need to find a way to bring love and compassion to the world, and do it today.


Father, father We don't need to escalate
Addressing fathers of the world, and emphasizing that we don't need to make things worse by escalating tension and violence.


You see, war is not the answer For only love can conquer hate
Explaining that war is not the solution to world problems; rather, we need to conquer hate and violence with love and compassion.


Picket lines and picket signs Don't punish me with brutality
Referring to protests and demonstrations, and pleading not to punish them with brutality and police violence.


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
Asking people to talk and communicate to understand what is happening in the world and the reasons behind it.


In the mean time Right on, baby Right on Right on
Encouraging people to continue to do the right thing and take positive actions to make the world a better place.


Father, father, everybody thinks we're wrong Oh, but who are they to judge us Simply because our hair is long
Addressing fathers again, and expressing frustration that people are criticizing and judging them for their appearance and beliefs.


Oh, you know we've got to find a way To bring some understanding here today Oh
Reiterating the need to find a way to bring understanding and tolerance to the world, and do it today.


Tell me what's going on I'll tell you what's going on - Uh Right on baby Right on baby
Encouraging people to have open and honest conversations about the world's problems, and expressing support for positive actions to make a difference.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ALFRED W CLEVELAND, MARVIN P GAYE, RENALDO BENSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@jonathandahl3431

My good friend and work colleague Rozalla is here too all in a great cause. Xxx

@phillipphillippson8456

Now That’s What I Call Music! 29 bought me here

@penny1262

#OneLove#OneHeart always ❣

@terrytezzbigtel

I bought this on cassette single when I was young because Yazz was in it but ended up loving the whole song and memorised both rap bits 😂. I just used to play it over again

@sergiogiappi4313

KIM APPLEBY <3

@JulianHadden1

I've just realised that I filmed some of this video - the bit featuring Aswad. I was a cameraman for ITN at the time, and we'd gone to interview them and get some shots. They were going away on tour I think so weren't going to be around for the video shoot, so asked if they could use our footage, and I actually shot more for them. I've still got the material so will upload it.

@jazzyjeffv1

Have you still got the footage?

@MrRaymchopper

GREAT song! Thank you for sharing..

@sarahcellblockh1562

Hand this over to today's 'Artists', you wouldn't would you, you just wouldn't!!!!!

@DJMARCIORECHEVENTOS

Love it

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