Marvin Gaye

Marvin Gaye’s image and music prior to recording “What’s going on” portrayed love, intimate relationships, and also sexual relations. Marvin Gaye was a Motown ledged and also a major sex symbol of the 60’s and 70s with all the greatest love songs produced by Motown at the current time.

While writing, “What’s going on” Marvin Gaye was heavily affected and influenced by many current events and negative tragedies surrounding him. Marvin’s singing partner, Tammi Terrell, had suffered and died of a serious brain tumor. Also his brother Frankie had just returned from serving in the Vietnam War and was very depressed, he told Marvin horrific stories of children eating out of garbage cans which brought a entirely new value of life to Marvin.

 Member of The Four Tops, Renaldo “Obie” Benson, came up with the song idea for “What’s Going on.” Unfortunately, The Four Tops were not interested in performing the track so Obie searched out trying to find other artists who would better compliment the song. No other artist had the courage to rise against and perform a “protest song” like “What’s going on” so Obie became unsuccessful until discovering Marvin. Upon recording “What’s going on” Marvin feel vastly in love with the track, becoming one of his most anticipated projects.

When Marvin proudly presented his masterpiece to Berry Gordy at Motown records, Berry refused to release the track, claiming it to be “The worst thing he had ever heard,” which began a Motown war. Marvin then began to boycott performing for Motown records until the track was released. In the meantime Marvin decided he wanted to be a professional football player for the Detroit Lions and began to train and practice with the team, claiming to become in the best physical shape of his life. Shortly after executive vice-president Barney Ales released the track without Gordy knowing and the song became the hottest single in America selling 100,000 copies in a single day.

A few characteristics from the “What’s Going On” album that sets it apart from other soul recordings of the mid 1960s and 70s is its messages conveyed, lyrical content, and production. Many artists at the current time were “puppet” like artist only imitating prior success song thought to be popular rather then singing and writing about relevant and current events. On the “What’s going on” album Marvin spoke out and revolted for what he believed in and did not back down. Another unique trait at that time is Marvin produced all his own music while being backed by the Funk brothers in the studio.

Marvin Gaye is one of the most inspirational musicians to date. His music is incredibly smooth while production being Sharp and on point. His lyrics are well thought, structured, and preformed exquisitely. As a person I believe he was a very independent, spoken, and respected, someone who would stand up for what they believed in and sit down for nothing, A true icon.. 

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