It was a time of upheavals
and unrest, the war in Vietnam Race Riots, and the Anti war movement in the US
and the music was changing from love songs to protest songs. In the mist of all
this chaos came Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going
On” a concept album that Marvin produced with the help of some great
songwriters and arrangers.
Before recording “What’s Going
On” Marvin fashioned himself as a “Sinatra-styled balladeer” determined
not to conform, and his work with various producers in the early 60’s made him
a solo star in the Motown machine. The many jewels in the Motown crown were his
hit songs with Smokey Robinson’s production of ”Ain’t That Peculiar,”
and “I’ll Be Doggone”,
Holland-Dozier-Holland’s ”How Sweet It Is,” and “Can I Get A Witness” pushed
him to the top of the charts, he also had great success as a duet partner with
Tami Terrell. He greatest success as a solo artist came when he teamed up with
Norman Whitfield with songs like “I Heard It Through The Grapevine”, “That’s the Way Love Is” and “Too Busy Thinking About My
Baby” Marvin’s star climbed the charts.
There was a song “What’s Going
On” written by Renaldo "Obie" Benson of the Four Tops and lyricist
Al Cleveland that addressed the issues of the day. This song was first offered
to The Four Tops who turned it down, and with Marvin’s rebellious nature and
being a spiritual guy they had a match for the song. Marvin
broadened his vision after Benson and Cleveland dropped the song on him and
decided what his next project would be. After hearing the horrors that his
younger brother faced in the war and how his reward for sacrificing for his
country was no jobs, and being hated for fighting the war, and his sorrow for
the loss of Tami Terrell and his artistic frustrations and the social climate
would help his project.
As far as
Motown was concerned this album would ruin Marvin’s career and put a blight on
Motown because of its protest nature and Barry Gordy was having none of it
after all Marvin was their “hottest artist,
the sex symbol of the '60s and '70s” and Marvin changing his appearance by
growing a beard and the wearing of jeans would do more harm to Motown’s clean
cut image. Barry Gordy said of the song "the worst thing I've
ever heard in my life". Because of Gordy’s reaction to the song Marvin
issued his ultimatum that when Gordy released “What’s
Going On” Marvin would not record anything
for Motown. Finally in January 1971 without Gordy’s knowledge “What’s Going On” was
released, Barry Gordy hit the roof when he found out because he hated the song,
after the first days sales of 100,000 Barry’s attitude changed. “What’s Going On” made it to the #2 spot on the Pop
charts and #3 on the R&B charts.
The album “What’s Going On”
impressed me, it was a anthem back in the
day and in the community we played it all the time. I am moved by the
production and the vocal arrangements on this album.
Hey Laman,
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I want to compliment on how wonderful your blog is set up. I like your idea of incorporating pictures within your blog, and, in general, your blog site looks appealing and interesting. Second, I appreciate your blog regarding Marvin Gaye. I find it interesting to study the relationship between Marvin and Berry. Although they were family through marriage, it seemed extremely volatile. I also wonder how many artists are “out there” that never really have the moment to shine, because their material is rejected by Quality Control at the label. Marvin’s What’s Going On was revolutionary to the point of being studied to this very day, and yet Berry could not see past the fact it was different from other Motown hits. Simultaneously, Marvin believed so much in his work, he stopped writing anything else until it was released. I find his courage to be inspiring along with the courage to share the message he did in his album.