What's Going On

Recorded at Hitsville in Detroit on May 6, 1971, with Marvin Gaye on lead and backing vocals, piano, and box drum. The session also featured The Funk Brothers, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Lem Barney and Mel Farr on backing vocals, and David Van DePitte as conductor. It marked a sharp break from Motown’s usual dance-oriented formula by directly addressing war, social unrest, and urban hardship. The single became a major crossover hit and helped secure Gaye greater artistic control over his work. It is widely treated as one of the defining soul recordings of its era and one of the most influential songs in modern popular music. Its title track status, critical stature, and repeated inclusion on major all-time lists have kept it central to Marvin Gaye’s legacy.