Marvin Gaye, What’s Going On (1971)

If Marvin Gaye had been a better athlete—or less obstinate—we might not have gotten one of the greatest albums of all time. In 1970, after the death of his musical partner Tammi Terrell, the Motown singer tried out for the Detroit Lions. When he returned to music, it was on his own terms. What’s Going On was an epic response to his brother Frankie’s letters from Vietnam—politically charged and musically ambitious, a soul album with jazz time signatures and classical instrumentation. The album’s posture was one of lament for the way things were rather than an angry protest, making the message both clear and difficult to tune out. It was such a departure from Gaye’s radio-friendly pop that his brother-in-law Berry Gordy Jr. initially refused to release it on Motown Records. Gaye had produced the album himself with backing from the Funk Brothers, and presented it as a complete nine-song suite. It was a singular vision and one that hasn’t lost its power over time.—Josh Jackson

01 - What's Going On
02 - What's Happening Brother
03 - Flyin' High (In the Friendly Sky)
04 - Save the Children
05 - God Is Love
06 - Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)
07 - Right On
08 - Wholly Holy
09 - Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)
10 - God is Love
11 - Sad Tomorrows

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