(AOTW) What's Going On - Marvin Gaye

I was looking for something to listen to on a rainy day in LA. Typing away, I’ve been curious for the longest time about what was considered “the best” album of all time. After doing tons of research and clicking the first link, Rolling Stones has this one. I feel like everyone knows that one song by him, but let’s dive deeper.

What’s Going On is Marvin Gaye’s 11th studio album (wow, guy was cooking) and was released in 1971. While the songs are all separated, they flow right into each other, creating this beautiful sequence. While the narrator could be anyone, it is written from the point of view of a Vietnam veteran returning to his home country to witness hatred, suffering, and injustice.

Thoughts

This is just one of those albums you can get lost in. Maybe it's my new love for old casual soulful music, but this is going to be a new favorite. I can’t wait to listen again. Marvin knows how to explain emotion through not only his lyrics but also his sounds. Each is telling its own story of love and sadness and the longing for real moments that can be found in between moments of compassion. This album just feels so real to me. I get it won’t be everyone's cup of tea, and I’m not saying this is the best album of all time. What I am saying, though, is that if it's a rainy day and you are looking for something to change it up and make the day feel cinematic in a cool 70’s way, I couldn’t give ya a better option.

Favorite Tracks

• What’s Going On: Classic as it gets, Great Intro for First-Time Listeners, Fun and Swanky

• What’s Happening Brother - Oh my god, please let me sample that beginning. I keep restarting because I want to keep listening to it forever.

• Mercy Mercy Me This has become one of my favorite songs of all time; it’s that good. It’s like a warm hug; I feel his longing for the past. I want to sit on a park bench with this dude in the song and just chat and hear more. I wish it was longer.

I recently got this album on vinyl, and I’m so glad I did. It came with two bonus tracks that just added so much more to an album that I already thought was perfect. I look forward to playing this at my next dinner party. If I had to sum it up in one word, this album is timeless.

Check it out.