What's Going On

Marvin Gaye was already an established recording artist prior to "What's Going On" He was the ladies man of his time and that led to his many romantic duets. He was Motown's best selling male vocalist. He had made a number of energetic, dance songs that cast him as a smooth soul figure. His success lead him to fellow best selling female artist Tammi Terrell. Their partnership symbolized the peak of a soul duet. Over time though Tammi developed a brain tumor and eventually died from it. His earlier music was a young spirited Rhythm and Blues and soul that would define the Motown Sound. The social concerns that influenced this album were the police attacks on the minorities of society. The drug trade and scene that had started to pick up pace in America. The racism that very strong at that point in time. The government oppressions and the unnecessary wars. The lyrical themes on the album were very politically driven. He questioned the government's ways of handling situations. All the social injustices he had to endure he put it in his music. The album is a very personal outspoken album that reached millions. The obstacles Marvin Gaye faced were very grave. He had lost a friend that was very near and dear to him. That affected him as a person which obviously affected his music. The overall content of the album was just so different from the Marvin Gaye everybody knew that made it hard for people to accept. They had to make the music more radio friendly against Gaye's will. What set the album apart was that it was socially conscious. He took care of the production and songwriting himself. The classical and jazz mixed instrumentation was brand new. The impression this album gives is that it definitely was going for a revolution. He wanted to change the game with this one and surely did.