The Best of the Best: Marvin Gaye's What's Going On

    Guys! We've got soul today! We're going to be talking about Marvin Gaye's legendary, inspirational, monumental 11th studio album, What's Going On. This album regularly tops best albums of all time lists. On Acclaimed Music's website, it is currently ranked 5th. And for so many great reasons, guys. I'm not even kidding when I say the first minute of this record changed my life. I immediately bought it as soon as I finished it. I revisit it regularly. It's so good I don't even sing along to it, I just listen to appreciate it in all of its beauty and marvel. 

    The opening of the first track and title track, "What's Going On" is so classy. Seriously. It's rich. It has such pure heart too. Gaye's crystal voice gives you the cold chills and a warm hug at the same time. The song's composition is also just so fantastic. It will never not be a great song. And the lyrics? Truly a sign of the times that spoke to those that lived during that time. And all throughout the record there's just so many lyrics that one can find comfort in though they're told as a universal truth. Especially with Gaye's comforting, calm demeanor being the one delivering them. "You see, for war is not the answer," Gaye croons, "for only love can conquer hate/you know we've got to find a way/to bring some lovin' here today."

    Gaye's confidence also carries the record in a way that not many artists can pull off. The man himself is R&B and soul embodied into one person. Gaye can sing any emotion, and it come straight from his heart.

    Another cool thing about the record is that the tracks perfectly segway right into the next one. Just check out that transition from "What's Happening Brother" to "Flyin' High (In the Friendly Sky)." Ever so slightly changing it up from track to track without losing an ounce of momentum or excitement. In fact, raising it. Check out the intro of "Save the Children" for that. 

    I think you can see What's Going On's influence even today. Heck. Just look at Beyoncé's latest two records. More specifically RENAISSANCE. Where each track expertly blends right into the next with precision and purpose. Gaye's vocal work here has also surely inspired countless generations of artists and will continue to do so. 

    At 9 tracks, the record leaves you wanting a little more, but you also can't wait to relisten again and recapture the magic. I think it's hard to make a masterpiece of an album like this. But a genius, airtight 9-10 track album just has to be easier than creating a 15 track critically acclaimed record. Let alone the 30+ track albums artists drop these days. 

    Overall, you can't go wrong with What's Going On. It's brilliant. It's a classic. It's inspiration itself. Please give it a quick listen. It goes by so fast that you're left gasping by how beautiful it is. I don't think you'll regret it if you've not already heard it already!

Rank: S Rank. Hey, mercy, mercy me. Hey, things ain't what they used to be.

Recommendation: When you need to feel inspired and picked up!

Standouts:

    Every single track. No joke.