身為一個虔誠的基督徒，Marvin Gaye覺得自己可以透過歌聲改變這醜陋的世界，於是開始著手寫一些歌，What's Going On就是這樣的作品。剛開始，這首歌並不受Motown大老闆支持，老闆認為生活已經夠苦了，幹嘛在歌曲中還談這些嚴肅
的事情？但Marvin Gaye心意已決，不惜以退出Motown來要脅老闆。於是這首單曲才發行上市，沒想到大受好評，直衝排行榜冠軍。

Marvin Gaye--What's Going On (Live)

Mother, mother
There's to 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 - Yah
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
Ya, what's going on
Ah, what's going on
(Background music and conversation)
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
Oh, what's going on
What's going on
I'll tell you Ya, what's going on - Uh
Ah, what's going on
Right on baby
Right on baby