The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Mother, mother
There's too 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, eh eh
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, oh oh 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
Yeah, what's going on
Ah, what's going on
In the mean time
Right on, baby
Right on brother
Right on babe
Mother, mother, everybody thinks we're wrong
Oh, but who are they to judge us
Simply 'cause our hair is long
Oh, you know we've got to find a way
To bring some understanding here today
Oh oh oh
Picket lines and picket signs
Don't punish me with brutality
C'mon talk to me
So you can see
What's going on
Yeah, what's going on
Tell me what's going on
I'll tell you what's going on, ooh ooh ooh ooh
Right on baby
Right on baby
There's too 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, eh eh
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, oh oh 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
Yeah, what's going on
Ah, what's going on
In the mean time
Right on, baby
Right on brother
Right on babe
Mother, mother, everybody thinks we're wrong
Oh, but who are they to judge us
Simply 'cause our hair is long
Oh, you know we've got to find a way
To bring some understanding here today
Oh oh oh
Picket lines and picket signs
Don't punish me with brutality
C'mon talk to me
So you can see
What's going on
Yeah, what's going on
Tell me what's going on
I'll tell you what's going on, ooh ooh ooh ooh
Right on baby
Right on baby
Lyrics submitted by yuri_sucupira
What's Going On Lyrics as written by Marvin P Gaye Alfred W Cleveland
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, O/B/O DistroKid, Capitol CMG Publishing, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
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I believe this is about Viatnam. One of Marvins mant greats.
This song is so beautiful, but the situation between him and his father is even more sad when you hear the lines about their conflict...
Personally, I believe Marvin Gaye died because he was too good for this world...he deserved more than this place
@TheSyndicate88 Actually the song is about social injustice and is consciously aware of the atrocities of Vietnam. The party at the beginning is a celebration of the homecoming of Marvin's brother from the war and Marvin found him "different." Yeah, PTSD
Hooray for the original, wonderful, beautiful song. Thanks, Marvin, wherever you may be right now.
Listen.... enough about Tupac and Biggie, who stood for violence. Let a man rest in the same kind of peace that he stood for - R.I.P. Marvin Gaye!
yeah...good song
this is a great song that has a message too its definitely an antiwar song, and the war of marvin gaye's generation was vietnam "don't punish me with brutality" police brutality its a political song, in a way. but its gorgeous too. i loved it when cuba gooding jr sang it in jerry magurie
haha, that was funny as hell whe ncuba goding sang that
APC is the awesome for covering this song.
This song means so much to me, not least because my father used to have this playing all the time when i was a kid.
If you listen really closely you can hear so many different layers to this song, it is truly amazing. the emotion in Marvin's voice in this song is unparalleled by any other singer i have heard in recent years.
The song speaks very openly and candidly about racism, war, sexism and even ageism.
Marvin, wherever you are, what you've given to this world in this song is a lot. Thank God for you!!
I agree. If you listen closely to the intro of the song Marvin and his friends are at a party: "Hey man, this is a groovey party...solid." Then, before the first lyric in the song: "Hey man, what's your name?" There's a pause, then: "Terry thing is the everything."<br /> <br /> And then again later in the song: "Solid", "Smoke This", and again: "What's your name...Terry thing is the everything".<br /> <br /> I'm just curious as to whom Gaye is referring to a "Terry".<br /> <br /> Finally, there's cudo's to the Greek Philosopher Socrates.
Basically, I see it as a call for communication instead of using violence to resolve conflicts.