By CHANCELLOR OF SOUL (152.163.253.70) on Sunday, March 28, 2004 - 01:57 pm:

Hey SDer's......33 years ago...this past weekend
March 27, 1971....one of the most inspirational
songs ever recorded.......during the 70's era....
"What's Going On b/w God Is Love".....hit No 1
for approximately 5 weeks straight on the R&B
Singles !!!!........Tell me how some of you on
this forum feel about this song.......how you felt when you first heard it.......and do you
still have the same kind of affections for this
song as you did 33 years ago ??? I know I still
do!!! ........

Peace,
Mike Boone
(Chancellor of Soul)

chancellorofsoul.com

By Juicefree20 (151.205.175.122) on Sunday, March 28, 2004 - 03:25 pm:

Hey Chancellor!!! I was 10 when I first heard What's Goin' On, on the radio in the Spring Of '71. I thought that Marvin took him game to a whole new level with that song. That Sax intro was sublime, the bassline, the chord changes, those soaring voices, everything about that song was perfect. I loved that song then & I love it now. What I find sad is the fact that his lyrics are as true today then, as they are today. When you look at the news, and all of the issues going on, you realize how little has truly changed. What's Goin' On is timeless, it's still relevant to our lives & the question he asked in March 1971, is still very relevant today in March 2004. That song has truly stood the test of time. Somehow, things seemed to be so much better then.

Juice

By Nosey (64.12.117.16) on Sunday, March 28, 2004 - 04:03 pm:

Well, I was able to get a sneak preview of the song. Back in 1970 while visiting my cousin in Detroit, he took my girlfriend and I to Marvin's house when he lived on Outer Drive in Southfield. He was sitting at his white, baby grand piano and let us listen to the song. (That was when he was beefed up and trying out for the Detroit Lions). I didn't like it at first but I was soooo excited about being there that of course I said it was nice! (Lord, knows I wish I could find those pictures! Maybe Diane has them........I'll give her a call.) If I find them, I'll post them whenever I can get to a scanner and decifer the instructions on how to scan.

So when the record came out no one believed us in the clubs and bars that we had heard the record before they did!

I have fond memories of meeting him and getting to know him somewhat during 1971 via Ma Bell. Nuff said about that!

By Helene (217.32.166.37) on Sunday, March 28, 2004 - 04:11 pm:

I just can't believe how that song can be 33 years old.

"War is not the answer, for only love can conquer hate". How very true.

For me, whenever I hear that song on the radio, not only does it transport me back to what seemed to be a better place - it also involves me in some moments of really deep thinking.

I was 15 in 1971 - a time for becoming more socially aware of issues far beyond my experience at that time.

I don't think it will ever date, and the whole album is a must have.

If, for some reason, I were only allowed to own 5 albums - I'd have to have that one among them.

By Garo (192.234.106.2) on Sunday, March 28, 2004 - 05:13 pm:

I had just turned 13 and was hanging around at a local college radio station- getting some experience- when What's Going On was out.
Then came summer..and Mercy Mercy Me!
Great music, great memories!

By DyvaNaye (152.163.253.70) on Sunday, March 28, 2004 - 05:51 pm:

This song is a R&B classic. Long after many other songs have come and gone, this masterpiece will remain revelant to the times in which it will be played...A song that was well ahead of its time, and prophetic in its nature.

33 years huh?...man oh man...

By LadyMystique (216.108.206.177) on Sunday, March 28, 2004 - 10:26 pm:

33 years old and still relevant after all these years!

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Monday, March 29, 2004 - 01:43 pm:

Damn, Chancellor! You mean to tell my "What's Going On" single is almost as old as ME!?!

Where's my Clairol Just For Men hair dye....

Kevin Goins - KevGo

By DyvaNaye (209.212.74.212) on Monday, March 29, 2004 - 02:08 pm:

Kev Go: Try Henna Rinse...that works better for the Gray Hair in men. LOL.

DyvaNaye

By CHANCELLOR OF SOUL (63.78.189.114) on Monday, March 29, 2004 - 03:37 pm:

You guys are hysterical !! LOL

Peace,
Mike Boone
(Chancellor of Soul)

chancellorofsoul.com

By bigdaddyg2k4 (205.138.54.1) on Monday, March 29, 2004 - 04:06 pm:

This classic masterpiece, released during the height of the Vietnam war, is still fresh and important today as we fight another war, this time in Iraq and Afghanistan. No one has delivered a more powerful message about the questioning of our willingness to hurt each other, the world and how we can learn to love one another than Marvin Gaye and the song for all generations, "What's Going On". A song so perfect for the time and world we live in today, it was remade by a cluster of artists such as 'Nsync, Alicia Keys and others as a heart wrenching response to the events of September 11, 2001. Had not Marvin believing so strongly and fighting for this single and album of the same name to be released, it would've been locked away in the Motown vaults forever because then President and Founder Berry Gordy thought it was a "protest" song/album and never believed in its message of peace, love and understanding. BIG MISTAKE. Now looking back on hindsight, Berry found the error in his ways of not embracing the masterpiece it is today, and now stands a true believer in the song and the man who made it history.

By Gary (66.73.238.5) on Monday, March 29, 2004 - 04:15 pm:

I was in high school. WGO didn't sound anything like any of the Motown hits I knew and loved up to that point, but it instantly became my favorite Marvin Gaye song of all time. Still is today.