The 45 Greatest Songs of All Time That Sparked A Cultural Reset
What’s Going On, Marvin Gaye, 1971, R&B/Soul
“What’s Going On” was born out of inspiration from Renaldo Benson’s real-life experiences of police brutality. It was composed by Benson, Al Cleveland, and Prince of Soul Marvin Gaye, with Gaye producing the record himself. The song was released in 1971 and was described as an exquisite plea for peace on earth.
Rising to prominence for his Motown sound in the ’60s, the release of “What’s Going On” marked his shift into a more personal theme in music. The song sold over two million copies and became Gaye’s second-most successful song in history. Its success allowed him to produce his music, leading to an album of the same name.
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