Process Journal:

Mind Map:

● Ritz, David. "soul music". Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Oct. 2023,

https://www.britannica.com/art/soul-music. Accessed 25 October 2023.
● Ritz, David. "Marvin Gaye". Encyclopedia Britannica, 21 Sep. 2023,
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Marvin-Gaye. Accessed 25 October 2023.
● Carson, Clayborne. "American civil rights movement". Encyclopedia Britannica, 22
Oct. 2023, https://www.britannica.com/event/American-civil-rights-movement.
Accessed 25 October 2023.
[Intro]
Hey, hey-hey
Hey, what’s happenin’?
Hey, brother, what’s happenin’?
Boy, this is a groovy party (Hey, how you doin’?)
Man, I can dig it
Yeah, brother, solid, right on
What’s happenin’?
Hey, man, what’s happening?
W
Everything is everything
We’re gonna do a get down today, boy, I’ll tell ya

The song begins with a faint sound bite detailing a reunion amongst family members.
The entire album is told from the point of view of a Vietnam veteran returning to
America to witness hatred, suffering, and injustice.

[Verse 1]
Mother, mother
There's too many of you crying
Too many mothers crying because their sons are dying in the Vietnam war, and were
forced to fight.

Brother, brother, brother

There's far too many of you dying
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some loving here today, yeah
To stop the unnecessary war with the Vietnamese: and end the unnecessary death
of innocent young men.

[Verse 2]
Father, father
We don't need to escalate
Just as Marvin speaks to his metaphorical brothers across the nation and the
weeping mothers whose children are dead, he looks to American authority (and his
own father), urging patience rather than war and escalation.
You see, war is not the answer
A pacifistic approach would benefit everyone
For only love can conquer hate
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some loving here today, oh (Oh)

[Chorus]
Picket lines (Sister) and picket signs (Sister)
A call out to black women specifically ones who are struggling

Don't punish me (Sister) with brutality (Sister)

Talk to me (Sister), so you can see (Sister)
Talk it out, don’t fight it out.

Oh, what's going on (What's going on)

What’s happening

What's going on (What's going on)

What’s happening, nobody knows—the government isn’t telling them anything.

Yeah, what's going on (What's going on)

Oh, what's going on

[Post-Chorus]
Ah-ah-ah-ah (In the meantime, right on, baby)
Woo (Right on, baby), woo
Ah-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya, ya-ya-ya-ya-ya
Woo (Right on, baby, right on), woo
Ah-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya
Ba-da-boo-doo, boo-boo-boo-doo, boo-boo-boo
Ba-da-boo-boo-boo-doo, boo-boo-boo-ba-ba-do

[Verse 3]
Mother, mother
Everybody thinks we're wrong
Nobody is listening
Oh, but who are they to judge us
Simply 'cause our hair is long?
People are judging others because of their long hair
Oh, you know we've got to find a way
To bring some understanding here today, oh-oh

[Chorus]
Picket lines (Brother) and picket signs (Brother)
More political consciousness
Don't punish me (Brother) with brutality (Brother)
Come on, talk to me (Brother), so you can see (Brother)
Oh, what's going on (What's going on)
Yeah, what's going on (What's going on)
Tell me what's going on (What's going on)
I'll tell you what's going on (What's going on)

[Post-Chorus]
Woo-ooh-ooh-ooh (Right on, baby, right on)
Ah-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya, ya-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya
Woo, woo (Right on)
Ah-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya
Ba-da-boo-doo, boo-boo-boo-doo
Ba-da-boo-boo-boo-doo, ba-da-da-da-da-da-da

[Outro]
Woo (Right on, baby, come on, right on)
Ah-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya
Woo (Right on)
Listen, ah-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya
Da-boo-doo, boo-boo-boo-doo
Da-boo-boo-doo, boo-boo-boo

For me he is describing that we don’t need wars and all we need is love: hence his emphasis on
pacifistic approaches, rather than being violent ( and costing the lives of many people— specifically
African-Americans, through the sadness and melancholic nature, that the musical artists, ingrains so
well into the song, to convey his opinion on unnecessary aggression and conflict, hence the
repetitive use of “ there is no need to escalate,” which further helps to exemplify the singers’ moral
values (of peace and love).

● Emotional Expressiveness: Soul music is known for its emotional depth, and this album is no
exception. Marvin Gaye's smooth and emotive vocals convey a sense of sincerity and feeling
in each track.

● Gospel Influences: Soul music often draws from gospel music, and "What's Going On"
incorporates gospel-style vocal harmonies and lyrical themes of hope and spirituality.
 ● Rhythm and Groove: The album features a strong sense of rhythm and groove, with a
prominent use of percussion, basslines, and a laid-back, yet funky, feel.

● Social and Political Themes: The album's lyrics address significant social and political issues
of the time, reflecting the civil rights movement and concerns about the state of the world, at
the time.

● Horn and String Arrangements: Soul music often includes lush orchestration, and "What's
Going On" incorporates horn and string arrangements, then adding depth to the music.

● Smooth Melodies: The album's melodies are catchy and memorable, a hallmark of soul music
that keeps listeners engaged and listening to their melodies.

Overall, "What's Going On" by Marvin Gaye is a prime example of soul music, featuring its signature
emotional depth, social commentary, and musical elements that make the genre so distinctive.

● Dynamics: The song's dynamics vary to convey emotion and intensity. For example, in the
title track, "What's Going On," the dynamics are gentle and introspective during the verses,
and they build up in intensity in the chorus, reflecting the song's message of concern and
hope.

● Rhythm: The album employs a steady rhythm, often characterised by a laid-back, mid-tempo
groove. This rhythm provides a sense of relaxation and reflection. In tracks like "Inner City
Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)," the rhythm is prominent and sets the tone for the song's
social commentary, on the many issues that people had faced.

● Tempo: Many songs on the album maintain a mid-tempo pace, which is typical of soul music.
For instance, "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)" has a moderate tempo that complements the
song's ephemeral themes.

● Vocal Harmonies: Marvin Gaye's smooth and layered vocal harmonies are a defining
element. He often harmonises with himself, creating a lush and soulful vocal texture. This can
be heard in tracks like "Save the Children, What’s going on, etc.”

These musical elements come together to create a cohesive and emotionally-centred album. Marvin
Gaye's expressive vocals and the instrumentation blend seamlessly to convey the album's message
and mood.

● In my performance I want it to express the Melisma, used throughout the song to express
ranging emotions in the song, in the ranging vocals present throughout the song
 ● I would like to convey the emotions that the woman must feel as she has had enough of her
partner, referred to as "Jack," and wants him to leave, through frustration and her
determination to end things
● Through matching my vocals to the song.

Instruments heard:

● alto saxophone.
● guitar (bass.)
● drums.
● bongos, congas.
● tambourine, percussion.