A 1971 Marvin Gaye single from his concept album of the same name, addressing the Vietnam War, civil rights, and the conditions of urban America.
Composition
What’s Going On was written by Renaldo Benson, Al Cleveland, and Marvin Gaye. Benson, a member of the Four Tops, drafted the song after witnessing a violent confrontation at a 1969 anti-war protest in Berkeley.
Recording
Gaye produced the track himself against the wishes of Motown’s Berry Gordy, who initially refused to release it. After it became a hit, Gaye was granted creative control of the album of the same name.
Reception
Released in January 1971, the single reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the U.S. R&B chart. The album is widely cited as one of the most influential concept albums in soul and R&B history.