Jan20

“what’s going on” – on mlk day.

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Gem/Redfern – Getty Images

January 20, 1971

Marvin Gaye releases hit single, “What’s Going On.”

In early 1971, on the heels of the Civil Rights Movement and in the midst of the Vietnam War, soul singer Marvin Gaye first crooned the words “Mother, mother, there’s far too many of you crying / Brother, brother, brother, there’s far too many of you dying” — heartbreaking lines that would resonate with millions of listeners, then and now. ​ The powerful protest ballad “What’s Going On” skyrocketed to No. 2 on the Billboard charts, the first tune of Gaye’s to overtly tackle political themes and a far cry from his earlier love songs. Produced by the singer himself, the track paved the way for other Motown artists to claim more agency in their careers and helped reinforce the genre’s potential to be a mouthpiece for social justice issues. Listen to the song and learn more about its making.​

January  1960 – Washington D.C., U.S. – Reverend MARTIN LUTHER KING, Jr. preaching at an event; Photo © Keystone/Zuma

 

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61 responses »

  1. The is the first time I ever heard this song. I confess I probably wasn’t giving much attention to what was going on. (Same as a lot of people not paying attention to what’s going on today) But whatever it was it seems it’s still going on today and will well into the future.

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  14. Being a child of the 60’s, this has to be one of my favorite all time songs..and sadly still so relevant today. I always get teary hearing it.
    I was in high school when MLK, Jr. was killed and a large group of us walked several miles from our school through downtown to a small black church in Flint, Michigan for a service. It was heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time. I will never forget it. Chris

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  15. I did not know this about Gaye’s work. Thanks for sharing, Beth. Will focus on MLK’s legacy today and not the other thing going on. 🙏😊 Hope you’re all hanging in there ok today!

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    • glad you liked it. the song was released at the height of the Vietnam War, “What’s Going On” is a call for peace, protesting both the war as well as violent police responses to antiwar protests.

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