https://sandmanjazz.wordpress.com/2020/09/23/30-day-doctor-album-challenge-day-23/

Marvin Gaye, I feel has a voice that appeals to the masses. He encouraged us to not be complacent. “Gaye returned to Hitsville U.S.A., when he recorded “What’s Going On“, inspired by an idea from Renaldo “Obie” Benson of the Four Tops after he witnessed an act of police brutality at an anti-war rally in Berkeley. Upon hearing the song, Berry Gordy refused its release due to his feelings of the song being “too political” for radio. Gaye responded by going on strike from recording until the label released the song. ” NPR has a different spin on the story about a Vietnam soldier returning home and everything is different.

Unfortunately, it sounds so familiar because police brutality still exists. And soldiers are coming back questioning why they put their lives on the line. (links are below)

What’s Going On

Marvin Gaye

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

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Alfred W Cleveland / Marvin P Gaye / Renaldo Benson

What’s Going On lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Interesting read.

https://www.npr.org/2000/08/07/1080444/npr-100-whats-going-on

Marvin never had the opportunity to fulfill his potential because he was killed by his own father in an argument.

Many institutions have posthumously bestowed Gaye with awards and other honors including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and inductions into the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame, the Songwriters and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marvin_Gaye