"The King of Soul"
by Deliliah Sabatella, Senior, iPreparatory Academy
by Deliliah Sabatella, Senior, iPreparatory Academy
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Black History Month is an opportunity to acknowledge the contributions of African American legends to society. In light of BHM, this article will celebrate and honor Marvin Gaye (aka. “The King of Soul”) and his most moving work “What’s Going On.”
Singer and Civil Rights activist Marvin Pentz Gaye, Jr. was born in Washington D.C. in 1939. According to editors from Biography.com, Gaye displayed a strong interest in music from a young age, mastering the piano and drums as a child. However, it was not until high school that Gaye discovered his talent and love for singing when he discovered R&B and doo-wop. In the 1950s, Gaye joined a vocal group called The New Moonglows marking the beginning of his career. |
Marvin Gaye
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Exploring the hit: "What's Going On":
Gaye’s career found success when he was signed to the Motown record label in the 60’s. Motown was an African American- owned label that featured African American artists with a unique pop- soul, feel-good sound. The label gained great popularity among people of all races; it was the first of its kind. Gaye put out a few songs with Motown, but didn’t gain major popularity until 1971 when he released what would become his most renowned work: “What’s Going On."
In her article from Performing Songwriter Magazine, Lydia Hutchinson explains that Gaye wrote “What's Going On” in 1970 after his brother, Frankie, recently came home from being stationed in Vietnam during the heights of the war. Frankie had been writing him letters detailing the dreadful war conditions and the mistreatment of African American soldiers and veterans.
Also, Hutchinson explains that although Gaye gets the most credit for the production of “What’s Going On,” the idea for the song originated from Four Tops member Obie Benson in 1969 when he witnessed a group of kids getting beaten on by police in San Francisco. Benson had been searching for someone to collaborate with him on “What’s Going On,” but he had no luck gaining support until Gaye proposed his idea for the song. Benson loved Gaye’s incorporation of the Vietnam war and gave him permission to finish and sing the song.
In her article from Performing Songwriter Magazine, Lydia Hutchinson explains that Gaye wrote “What's Going On” in 1970 after his brother, Frankie, recently came home from being stationed in Vietnam during the heights of the war. Frankie had been writing him letters detailing the dreadful war conditions and the mistreatment of African American soldiers and veterans.
Also, Hutchinson explains that although Gaye gets the most credit for the production of “What’s Going On,” the idea for the song originated from Four Tops member Obie Benson in 1969 when he witnessed a group of kids getting beaten on by police in San Francisco. Benson had been searching for someone to collaborate with him on “What’s Going On,” but he had no luck gaining support until Gaye proposed his idea for the song. Benson loved Gaye’s incorporation of the Vietnam war and gave him permission to finish and sing the song.
Marvin Gaye singing and playing piano
It is clear now that “What’s Going On” is a profound work of art, but cultural anthropology expert and Grunge.com writer, Samantha Sanders, revealed that Gaye’s Motown record label nearly prohibited the entire album from being released as they wanted to maintain political neutrality. When Gaye was told that his music was deemed unreleasable, he proposed this ultimatum: “What’s Going On” would be released or he would not release any more music under the Motown label. Ultimately, when Motown released “What’s Going On,” it quickly climbed the charts and peaked at No. 2 on Billboard’s Hot 100. The release of “What’s Going On” marked only the beginning of Gaye’s profound impact; from there, he went on to produce many more musical masterpieces and won eight Grammy awards, three NAACP awards, and an American Music award.
The ideas of peace and love Gaye advocated for remain relevant and important today as he continues to inspire listeners and creators worldwide through his music posthumously. Here is my research and analysis of the great song, "What's Going On":
The ideas of peace and love Gaye advocated for remain relevant and important today as he continues to inspire listeners and creators worldwide through his music posthumously. Here is my research and analysis of the great song, "What's Going On":
Works Cited
Hutchinson, Lydia. Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On.” Performing Songwriter Magazine. 31 March 2017. https://performingsongwriter.com/marvin-gaye-whats-going-on/“Marvin Gaye Biography.” The Biography.com. 2 Apr. 2014. https://www.biography.com/musician/marvin-gaye
“Marvin Gaye is shot and killed by his own father.” History.com. 13 November 2019. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/marvin-gaye-is-shot-and-killed-by-his-own-father
Moon, Tom. “The Story Of Marvin Gaye's 'What's Going On'.” National Public Radio. August 7, 2000. https://www.npr.org/2000/08/07/1080444/npr-100-whats-going-on
Sanders, Samantha. “The Untold Truth of Motown Founder Berry Gordy Jr.” Grunge.com. 21January2021.https://www.grunge.com/317235/the-untold-truth-of-motown-founder-berry-gordy-jr/
Septoe, Tyina. “Marvin Gaye’s ‘What’s Going On’ Is as Relevant Today as It Was in 1971.” Smithsonian Magazine. 18 May 2021. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/marvin-gayes-whats-going-relevant-today-it-was-1971-180977750/
“What’s Going On.” Genius.com website. https://genius.com/4532248
Hutchinson, Lydia. Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On.” Performing Songwriter Magazine. 31 March 2017. https://performingsongwriter.com/marvin-gaye-whats-going-on/“Marvin Gaye Biography.” The Biography.com. 2 Apr. 2014. https://www.biography.com/musician/marvin-gaye
“Marvin Gaye is shot and killed by his own father.” History.com. 13 November 2019. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/marvin-gaye-is-shot-and-killed-by-his-own-father
Moon, Tom. “The Story Of Marvin Gaye's 'What's Going On'.” National Public Radio. August 7, 2000. https://www.npr.org/2000/08/07/1080444/npr-100-whats-going-on
Sanders, Samantha. “The Untold Truth of Motown Founder Berry Gordy Jr.” Grunge.com. 21January2021.https://www.grunge.com/317235/the-untold-truth-of-motown-founder-berry-gordy-jr/
Septoe, Tyina. “Marvin Gaye’s ‘What’s Going On’ Is as Relevant Today as It Was in 1971.” Smithsonian Magazine. 18 May 2021. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/marvin-gayes-whats-going-relevant-today-it-was-1971-180977750/
“What’s Going On.” Genius.com website. https://genius.com/4532248
