Marvin Gaye wrote this song about 40 years ago. I was singing it to myself today thinking about how it speaks not only of then...but of now, and then I found this video. Please watch it.
Have I ever sent you the song "Goodness Gracious" by the late Kevin Gilbert? Much like "What's Going On" it resonates more today than it did when it was written and recorded.
BTW, I LOVE "What's Going On"-- I have an acapella version of it sung by session vocalist Tommy Funderburk with Jason Scheff (of Chicago), Bobby Kimball (of Toto), and Joseph Williams (formerly of Toto) backing him up. It's actually pretty good.
I have to wonder if any of you even glanced at the video. If not, I understand I don't always check out videos people post either. I guess the statement I wanted to make was more about the utterly horrifying things that have gone on in our world that are depicted in the video. Perhaps I chose the wrong blog for my depressive thoughts. I usually try to keep it light here.
I knew exactly what you were talking about, and that's one reason why I said what I did. It was a couple of years after Tammi Terrell died that Marvin began writing and recording songs like "What's Going On", and the like. Few people in that era had the ability to express themselves like Marvin could, and I always thought of him as a musical version of Dick Gregory, who I greatly admired, as well.
11 comments:
It's a great song on a great album and it still resonates today.
A song for the ages. And nice to have you back.
-- david
I had that playing on Monday ....and then had it in my brain yesterday....
R&R today on The Couch
Have I ever sent you the song "Goodness Gracious" by the late Kevin Gilbert? Much like "What's Going On" it resonates more today than it did when it was written and recorded.
BTW, I LOVE "What's Going On"-- I have an acapella version of it sung by session vocalist Tommy Funderburk with Jason Scheff (of Chicago), Bobby Kimball (of Toto), and Joseph Williams (formerly of Toto) backing him up. It's actually pretty good.
Marvin was the man. Period. End of sentence. No more discussion.
I have to wonder if any of you even glanced at the video. If not, I understand I don't always check out videos people post either. I guess the statement I wanted to make was more about the utterly horrifying things that have gone on in our world that are depicted in the video. Perhaps I chose the wrong blog for my depressive thoughts. I usually try to keep it light here.
That's exactly why I think it's a song for the ages--it speaks to both unspeakable horrors and unshatterable dreams.
-- david
Thanks, David. Sorry if I seem overly sensitive - I guess I have been lately! I
I knew exactly what you were talking about, and that's one reason why I said what I did. It was a couple of years after Tammi Terrell died that Marvin began writing and recording songs like "What's Going On", and the like. Few people in that era had the ability to express themselves like Marvin could, and I always thought of him as a musical version of Dick Gregory, who I greatly admired, as well.
He had so many fantastic songs but this probably stands at the top of his list.
I agree with bruces sentiments. I love marvin for how he exposes his soul..painfully so, in his music.
If I had to grab 2 or 3 CD's that I had to listen to the rest of my life...one would be "Whats goin on"
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