Really enjoyed how smooth this whole album sounds. The lyrics and delivery feel so powerful and soulful and feel like they just hover over the instrumental, it feels very relaxing. I can really see how this became a classic at the time considering what was going on in the world.
Digital Media (deluxe edition 50th anniversary)
What’s Going On
Album by Marvin Gaye
Released 20 May 1971
Tracklist
- 1What’s Going On3:534.2 ★
- 2What’s Happening Brother2:444.2 ★
- 3Flyin’ High (In the Friendly Sky)3:504.2 ★
- 4Save the Children4:034.2 ★
- 5God Is Love1:424.2 ★
- 6Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)3:164.7 ★
- 7Right On7:324.2 ★
- 8Wholy Holy3:084.5 ★
- 9Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)5:334.4 ★
- 10What’s Going On (mono single version)3:54
- 11God Is Love (mono single version)2:51
- 12Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) (mono single version)2:30
- 13Sad Tomorrows (mono single version)2:23
- 14Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler) (mono single version)2:58
- 15Wholy Holy (mono single version)3:09
- 16What’s Going On (original single mix)3:46
- 17What’s Going On (Rhythm ’n’ Strings mix)3:514.0 ★
- 18What’s Going On (Coffeehouse mix)3:56
- 19What’s Going On (2016 duet version)feat. BJ the Chicago Kid5:06
- 20Symphony (demo)2:52
- 21I Love the Ground You Walk On (instrumental)2:27
More by Marvin Gaye
Popular lists
Release credits
- arranger [6, 9], conductor [1-9]
- instrument [1]
- mix [1-2, 2-4, 4-5, 5-6, 6-8, 8-9]
- background vocals [1]
- background vocals [1, 6], lead vocals [1, 6], mellotron [6], percussion [1], piano [1, 6], producer [1-9], vocal [4]
- background vocals [1]
- background vocals [6]
- instrument [1, 6]
- solo [6], tenor saxophone [6]
Issues
W
W12" Vinyl20 May 1971
W2x 12" Vinyl1971- W12" Vinyl1971
- W12" Vinyl (Quadraphonic)1975
W12" VinylApril 1984
W1986- W12" Vinyl1988
W1990
WCD (pink/blue CD)1993
WCD (black/gold CD)1993
W7 June 1994
WCD (club edition)1994- W7 April 1998
- W7 April 1998
W5 August 1998
W1998
WCD (made in Germany by PMDC)1998
WCD (UML)1998
WCD (made in Germany by Universal M&L)1999
W2x CD (deluxe edition)27 February 2001
W2x CD (deluxe edition)2002
W2002- W2002
W14 January 2003- W14 January 2003
WDigital Media2003
W12" Vinyl1 February 2008
WHybrid SACD (CD layer), Hybrid SACD (SACD layer, 2 channels)30 December 2008
W2x SHM-CD (deluxe edition)9 April 2009- W2x CD (deluxe edition)25 October 2010
W12" Vinyl, 2x CD (40th anniversary deluxe edition)17 May 2011- W12" Vinyl, 2x CD (40th anniversary edition)27 June 2011
- W2011
W2011
WDigital Media12 May 2012
W25 February 2013
WSHM-CD (mini‐LP)25 September 2013
WBlu-ray4 October 2013
WDigital Media (192kHz / 24bit)22 February 2014
W12" Vinyl26 May 2016
WHQCD (2018 MQA x UHQCD)20 June 2018
W2x 12" Vinyl11 January 2019
WDigital Media13 November 2020
WDigital Media (Apple Digital Master)13 November 2020- WDigital Media (deluxe edition 50th anniversary)22 January 2021
WDigital Media22 January 2021
W2x 12" Vinyl1 April 2022- W12" Vinyl24 January 2025