What's going on

Marvin Gaye, What's Going On...1970



Lyrics:
Mother, mother
There’s too many of you crying
Brother, brother, brother
There’s far too many of you dying
You know we’ve got to find a way
To bring some lovin’ here today - Ya
Father, father
We don’t need to escalate
You see, war is not the answer
For only love can conquer hate
You know we’ve got to find a way
To bring some lovin’ here today
Picket lines and picket signs
Don’t punish me with brutality
Talk to me, so you can see
Oh, what’s going on
What’s going on
Ya, what’s going on
Ah, what’s going on
In the mean time
Right on, baby
Right on
Right on
Father, father, everybody thinks we’re wrong
Oh, but who are they to judge us
Simply because our hair is long
Oh, you know we’ve got to find a way
To bring some understanding here today
Oh
Picket lines and picket signs
Don’t punish me with brutality
Talk to me
So you can see
What’s going on
Ya, what’s going on
Tell me what’s going on
I’ll tell you what’s going on - Uh
Right on baby
Right on baby

Thanks to Graycharles for posting this today on his site, www.graycharles.com




In 1970, I was three years old. I think more and more often about the times in which I grew up, the social instablity, the political scene, the war. I was sheltered as I grew up, as were most people my age today. I have found it fascinating to look at that time now as an adult and see how the events our country experienced in the late 60’s and 70’s has shaped modern culture today.

And what amazes me even more is how music was then, and is now, a conduit for the thoughts, joys, bewilderment, frustration, etc., of present day man.

Today’s “popular” music to me seems to be a pretty accurate reflection of our self absorption and our greediness, our hedonistic tendencies. While we may lament that “real” music hasn’t been on the scene for a while, I think we need to look long and hard at ourselves first. Pop culture, while it can in some ways be thrust on us and marketed to us, is still and extension of who we are as people.

I think artists like Taylor Hicks, Jack Johnson, Marc Broussard, John Mayer, even controversial artists like the Dixie Chiicks, are finding the spotlight not only because of their talent, but because they are resonating with a population that has begun to soul search…again. And it’s about time. We may not always agree with the message the singer has to communicate, but we can agree that we need to stop living on the surface and start finding meaning in life…all aspects of life, even the arts.

Enjoyed reading the lyrics to this song. They are timeless and were a great catalyst for me to express some things that have been churning in my head for a while.