Marvin Gaye Whats going on

Prior the recording of the album " Whats going on " Gaye began singing in his father Church. After couple years he transforms in one of the top artist of the record label Motown Records. With the hit "Ain't that Peculiar " and his duet singles with Mary Wells and Tammi Terell, because all this success Marvin was called "The Prince of Motown" and "The Prince of Soul"

What influenced Marvin Gaye to wrote the lyrics of Whats going on was his brother. His younger brother Frankie has survived a three year tour duty in Vietnam, his intention was to catch and call the people attention with this song. He says this doesn't was a protest song this was a Love Song.
His brother narrate all the bad and sad experience he went through in the war, he described the war as "Hell". He also says all the memories of that time was swimming in blood. Then Marvin ask his brother Frankie what can i do? Frankie told him he can fight in many ways specially with his music.

Berry Gordy told Marvin why do you want to ruin your career ? why do you want to put a song about the Vietnam war? Berry Gordy refused to release "Whats Going on" calling it " The worst thing I'eve ever heard in my life" Marvin immediately issued an ultimatum, until Barry Gordy and his quality control releases "Whats Going on " he would record nothing more for the company.

With the help of Renaldo Obie Benson of the four tops, Marvin start producing Whats going on. Marvin add many things to this track, he added things that where more ghetto , more natural which made it seem more like a story than a song. One of the main reason that this track was different to the other was the Lyrics Marvin used in this track, another fact it was that "whats going on" was the song Motown records didn't want to release with the approval of Berry Gordy. The album instrumentation also provided a more romantic and love atmosphere than the other releases.

Listening to the album "Whats going on" make me understand the real passion someone can have with the music. This is a really great album for all the passion he put on it. His really good mixing album with great techniques and instrumentations.