(listen at whatsgoingon.muxtape.com)
Chances are that those who are more or less unfamiliar with Marvin Gaye associate him with 1) “Let’s Get it On” (the song) and 2) “Sexual Healing,” in that order. While both of these songs are classics in their own right, they obscure the fact that Marvin Gaye is responsible for the best album of all time. It is called “What’s Going On.”
Before I comment upon why it is the best album of all time, I realize that many of you have been led astray by false proclamations of greatness of certain movies, songs, or records. I’ll forgive you for a bit of suspicion, but, in the present case, such apprehension is entirely unfounded.
Released in 1971, “What’s Going On” was a testament to the tumultuous times of the day. Nevertheless, the songs are just as lyrically potent and politically relevant today. Hitting on such themes as the effects of war (the title track), destruction to the environment (Mercy Mercy Me [The Ecology]), empathy for suffering friends and neighbors (What’s Happening Brother), and, among others, the sad state of urban America (Inner City Blues [Makes Me Wanna Holler], which also has one of the most bad ass bass lines).
Marvin Gaye allegedly told Smokey Robinson that god/God was writing the album, and that Gaye was just the vessel. As a result of this (or despite this depending on your predilections), the results are striking. Have a listen at: whatsgoingon.muxtape.com.
