Figuring Out “What’s Going On” | Breakdown & Analysis

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Also check out this live performance of “What’s Going On” into “What’s Happening Brother” - • Marvin Gaye What's G...
Incredible visualization of Jamerson’s bass line on “For Once in My Life” - • JAMES JAMERSON /// For...
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SOURCES
The book “Standing in the Shadows of Motown” - a.co/d/exMhJ90
www.soundonsou...
• Marvin Gaye on The Mak...
www.independen...
#marvingaye #soulmusic #musichistory

[@nobodynothing6551]

Imagine being so good you cant even go get drunk without literal legends begging you to come play on their records

[@nicolesherman8974]

The making of What’s Going On is bizarre considering Berry Gordy didn’t want his artists to create political music that talked about the events going on at the time. Realizing that Marvin Gaye made What’s Going On behind Berry’s back makes this album a whole a modern day masterpiece. You have to discuss Sly & the Family Stone’s answer to the Marvin’s question with There’s a Riot Goin on, released in the same year that is 1971 🔥🔥🔥

[@diggingthegreats]

Yes! It was renamed in response to this album - on a future episode!

[@SkwurrelllCheakz]

There’s a riot going on is easily one of my top 10 records. Super trippy and super funky simultaneously. I still remember the first time I heard both of the Africa Talks tracks. Mind blowing music.

[@Shades-of-76]

@@diggingthegreats Look forward to that 😎 Sly’s Riot LP is one of my top five all time records. Great content as usual, thanks 👏🏼

[@Shades-of-76]

@@SkwurrelllCheakz Likewise, so good ❤

[@cnretrowolf]

hell yeah sly next

[@bashlove9641]

It is the best album of all time for me. It never gets old.

[@rickmassimo6192]

Now try playing it just with your index finger, like Jamerson did! I used this part as my soundcheck go-to for years, but it took me a LONG time to learn it (I bought the Standing in the Shadows book a few months after it came out; the accompanying CD helped a lot). I can't imagine sight-reading it -- in fact, going back and forth between the CD and the sheet music was the best reading lesson I've ever had. Ron Carter once said he was told "Someone should be able to walk into the club during your solo and still be able to tell what song it is." Jamerson passes that test with his lines.

[@lamech006]

I've been trying to get the Aint No Mountain bass part down for 3+ years... With 2 fingers... Still working on it 😂

[@Jacqueal]

He and Stevie are the reason I love song cycle-based albums. Marvin and Stevie set the groundwork for future DJ's to have smooth, continuous sets.

[@ingmarvanderhoek6314]

The Funk Brothers finally got their recognition in Standing in the Shadow of Motown. So glad you feature this beautiful album on which they played soooo good.

[@iancpowell]

And Jameson played all that with just his right hand index finger… JJ was insane with what he pulled off his way. The Funk Bros movie is worth watching for anyone who hasn’t seen it

[@bashlove9641]

God I love this guy's videos he makes me remember why music is so important to me.

[@CantTellYou]

🎯 you nailed it

[@peyoti3482]

pls check out 'Palestinian Children' by Peyoti for President. I'd love to know your opinions ;-)

[@maybud60]

Thanks for putting together this brilliant and passionate homage to one of my all-time favourite albums. I never get tired of listening to Marvin's soaring vocals and timeless messages of peace and acceptance. It's a masterpiece! 🙏

[@nicolesherman8974]

Ooooh! I’m excited for this video!! This album is 52 years old, and it’s an ethereal ride. Listening to Wholy Holy (one of my favorites) almost brings me to tears ❤️❤️🔥🔥

[@DIRTYFINGERPROJECT]

The Funk Brothers get a lot of well deserved love and respect but a video about Leon Ware would be great.

[@lukhanyobacaza893]

You deserve the world just because you cover music that I enjoy. I would love to see you cover Maggot Brain by Funkadelic

[@donte23mj]

I'm screaming at the top of my lungs right now...YES!!! HE FINALLY DID IT!!!

[@alvarofdz.3340]

Man!!! After watching all your hiphop videos and listening to the albums for weeks, I went to find some info of one of my favourite artists, Marvin Gaye. Then I listened again his discography and 1 day after you upload this... And speaking about James Jamerson too!! You are the best person in the Internet, thank you very much for this artworks! Saludos desde España

[@EricAndThe]

Great video, I love What's Going On, one of my favourite albums. The thing is though, I can't listen to it without also listening to Sly & The Family Stone's There's a Riot Going On immediately afterwards. To me those albums go hand in hand. I hope you'll make a video on the Sly Stone album too one day.

[@johanneskolaczek4984]

Bitches Brew, Sign "☮︎" the Times, What's Goin' On: My 3 all time favorite records!

[@johanneskolaczek4984]

@@michaelgrogan35 : 🤔

[@issacflores4216]

Absolutely love this album, I spin it often on vinyl during weekend mornings to get the day started off right

[@eugeniosolo]

Please do a video about Sade! Would love to see you break down her songs :)

[@genohall2235]

Seconded, maybe the Love Deluxe Album, made her a household star…

[@SpiderDan2099]

I agree YES please! I have recently acquired the 'This Far' boxed set and digitized all 6 albums for my listening pleasure (and anyone in earshot who loves great music!) 😊 I would love to see a Digging the Greats deep dive into one or all of the bands work thus far! 🥰

[@alexjadams1970]

Do “Diamond Life”

[@rivers9368]

I love digging the greats. Not only do you u do classic hiphop albums you also cover some classical music in general.i learned a lot from all the stuff you put your effort in and I’m always excited to watch new videos 🔥

[@hopsiepike]

You are right - the album is one of the greatest headphone experiences. The way the percussive sounds of the tracks weave together to create a compelling flow, like being on a raft on a moonlit night on a river with a steady, calm yet strong current pulling you along downstream.

[@blusef1]

Omg what’s going on is one of my all time favs!! It’s up there will illmatic and endtroducing for me. I still remember the day I found the LP digging thru this guys storage shed 1 afternoon back in the 90s. It was mostly hair soundtracks and boz scaggs but a clean copy of what’s going on was in there and I left hours later going well at least I found this. My mind was blown realizing the depth, soul and realness of that album. Plus the fact that the songs seamlessly lead into one another one side A!!! 🤯🤯🤯 I rarely heard that on an album from the 70s. I was like oh this albums like the roots “do u want more” or “people’s instinctive travels..” anyway I could talk music for days…I just wanted to say thank you so much for making this. I used to dj Motown on Mondays in Sf and I’m gonna send it to my Motown loving dj friends !! I appreciate the quality videos you always put up and will subscribe to your patreon!!!

[@ykms2058]

That’s an amazing experience !!

[@aroeha.3053]

Brilliant lp and the Patreon version of this video is well worth the subscription If a Marvin lp rabbit hole opens 'Here my dear' needs a deep dive..

[@kraigpullam1696]

KZbin & the artists’ labels, etc should be more than happy and willing to fund 5 times over your analysis of these albums & greats. I can’t find anyone who is so thorough with this great music. Btw, I’d personally love to see Distant Lover & human nature…

[@livingdeadjams]

I always heard Marvin because my parents had great taste in music, but when I heard this album in its entirety on my own when I was about 20 (I'm 25 now) it changed my listening of music forever. It felt so ahead of its time, yet a time piece of when it was made. I couldn't believe it. Thank you for this video for one of my favorite albums ever. I'd like to see an S.O.S Band video or Zapp & Roger in the future. Thanks for the awesome channel!

[@jonnyjonez1]

The song transitions on this album ALONE makes this a masterpiece but go off, king.

[@cestlavie5713]

I believe What's Going On is Marvin's best in popularity, but Here My Dear is his best creative, artistic, and emotional album he's ever recorded. By the way, it's a double album.

[@ceciliafbrown373]

The best review yet my brother. Thanks!

[@dedasalmeida9047]

I'm a bass player myself, and i remember i discovered Marvin's what going on when i was 17, i learned that song as my first ever (i don't recommend anyone starting playing bass to play that song lol😂) But my excitement just overpowered the fear of first time playing an instrument and i managed to learned it lol Till this day I still play it

[@changkwangoh]

Awesome album, it has such a mood and a vibe. It should only be played on a record player with a 70’s hi-fi setup in a mid-century modern house!

[@Revwin]

I wish you talked about save the children’s bassline ! 😭

[@LadyDuchess]

Yes! That breakdown part at the end; the “Buuuut, who really cares, who’s willing to try” part is EVERYTHING!

[@mjcruiser4238]

Terrific commentary of probably one of the 4 or 5 greatest R & B songs. Here is what is magical about music -watched your video which had several facts that I had never heard before -so of course had to go to my playlist to replay What’s Going In ( probably for the multi hundredth time) and all the words still didn’t do it justice!

[@StephenLee529]

You killed that man…well done..In the Berry’s book he talks about this album, Stevie’s and a Rick James album where he was not on board and didn’t want to support it. For “What’s Going On” Barry White in an interview said Marvin asked him to produce the album and he told him he didn’t need him that he was good using the team at Motown…I love this Album I listen to it once a quarter in 1971 I was 5 …I would ask my Dad to play it from start to finish…over and over…the music of this era man….❤❤❤❤

[@maryjaneforgie9882]

Great work...did not know the sight reading part of the story, mind blown...Might I suggest a follow up...After Marvin asked What's going on? Sly replied There's a riot going on...would love to hear your analysis of that album...keep up the good work

[@twmoore60]

The percussion drums on the track are congas not bongos. Played by the legendary percussionist of the funk Brothers, Eddie “Bongo” Brown.

[@asbjrnbuevranghauberg9673]

Haha, I scrolled this far just to see if someone else had commented this. As a percussionist myself, I cringe when people refer to congas or djembe or other types of drums as “bongos” when they are not. Easy mistake to make for most people (and I probably can’t distinguish the clarinet from the oboe or soprano sax etc.) but that’s how it is. Still - a big thank you for the video, Brandon, and keep up the good work 😊

[@marktennin8927]

I'm like Wow Very low tune Bongo to say...But yes congos it is.

[@marktennin8927]

Same here Bro-Bro! Sometimes they say the Tall Bongos.smdh LOL

[@tomassantiago8101]

Just when I'm obsessed with Marvin you release this video. THANK YOU.

[@Jesse615]

Yes. A masterpiece! This is one of my Desert Island disks, for sure. Many might call it the greatest album of all time, and I would not argue with them. And I play bass and guitar, and James Jamerson is my all-time fave!

[@reeceormiston-green3329]

I watched Da 5 Bloods the other day, so this song has been on repeat. Now I'm seeing a breakdown and analysis on it. Dope! Also, I recommend that film to anyone. It's crazy. Thank you homie for the knowledge.

[@wilenedozier6961]

Thank you for this musical explanation.I have the album.I played piano, clarinet, and oboe in the band in '71. My high school just celebrated our 50th class reunion and played this song during our banquet. You're very good!

[@PAUL-rn3wt]

I love the way this guy orchestrates his videos and how his voice smoothly explains the importance of music

[@PharaohLawLess1]

Love your dive into this great composition my brotha

[@Sereck]

As one of my most loved albums i play always. i want to say that was what i needed to hear. Unreal breakdown and presented on point.

[@E34bmer]

Omg, the fact these greedy ass record companies won't let someone play their music without snatching every cent is pathetic! I don't understand how shows like this would hurt their bottom line! Love what you do bro, brings a entire appreciation to music we've heard a million times!

[@0072gldnfngr]

1:01 😂😂 I’m happy I didn’t have to say it because this is the exact reason I clicked the video so fast. Glad you’re in tune!

[@kidsonicofficial]

I had to mix the title track in College. No joke, got sick of it after mixing it so many times haha. Such a sick tune though. Didn't even know that those vocals were unintentionally recorded like that.

[@miclo_ssx]

I’m a hip hop Stan and I’ve been loving all these videos but I’ve been listening to Marvin Gaye on the daily. So weird that you made a video on it. This channel is def for me. Subbed

[@tempeff8670]

I love how you hooked us in with Marvin (who everyone knows) but schooled us on James. Another great Greats. ❤💛💚

[@eatdrinkwineguy]

One of my favourite songs and albums.

[@vw3575]

Best album cover ever. Someone put that on a billboard n I had to pause for a moment of silence. Omg

[@tammiemartinez6485]

Crazy I found your ch today and that I clicked on this video in particular because I've been listening to his greatest solo and duets hits on CD in my car non stop. Can't remember which ch did the Motown Doc with Berry and Smokey but if you haven't seen it it's a fantastic watch...

[@francescosegre]

Great video. I hope any hiphop head that happens not to know Amerigo Gazaway's double bootleg mashup album with mos def comes across this comment. ❤

[@chloemchll3774]

I always thought of this song as having a conversational element to it (almost like Marvin is playing multiple people talking to each other) and attributed it to my knowledge that Marvin was inspired by Marvin’s letters/conversations with his brother. I think the use of the two slightly different vocal tracks also helped create this effect- in the spaces where it varies it sounds almost like one is answering (or agreeing with) to the other.

[@fungusman9726]

A video about my favourite bass player from my favourite music KZbinr. I’m doing a deep dive into Jamerson’s style for my university project

[@MBinDenver]

Marvin's vocals are only panned hard L and R on the "Detroit" mix... the "commercial" mix has them panned down the middle with one of them further back in the mix (lessons from the days of mixing mono...) There are some absolutely unbelievable moments in the Detroit Mix if you can track it down... treat yourself to a whole new experience with this album... I find it more powerful than the commercial mix...

[@phillipesparza2212]

Laurin Rinder was also a drummer fro Motown. Rinder & Lewis. EL Coco and several othe disco groups on Avi Records

[@offbeatninja]

Maaaaan this is one of my favorite albums.Big up! ❤

[@crowfoot7355]

Awesome overview of a great classic 👏👏👏👏

[@PhilMoskowitz]

I was an impressionable nine year old when an older cousin came back on Army leave from Vietnam. He was an extended member of my family and had just brought the single. I played that song so much and begged my cousin to leave the song with me. He also said no. But just as he was leaving to go back to Vietnam he ended up giving me the 45 rpm record. I'll never forget it.

[@marknovelich5042]

“That’s all you get KZbin! Whachu got!?” Bro that had me dying! Too funny!!!

[@diggingthegreats]

Having to get creative with the Patreon vs KZbin edits 😂

[@authorless]

Your love for this song and album is palpable in this song.

[@assistant606]

One of my favourite albums of all time.

[@prlysis]

You are one of the best on KZbin. I hope you enjoyed your holidays.

[@bl2528]

What's Going On is arguably the best traditional R&B album

[@willardv]

arguably the best album.

[@JohnInTheVWBus]

arguably the best animal, vegetable, or mineral.

[@michaelgrogan35]

@@willardv 🤡🤡🤡

[@ThomBoecker]

Great breakdown, thank you very much!!!

[@DemoniqueLewis]

Man, this is great! Haven’t heard this song in a minute.

[@DonCR3145]

This is slowly but surely becoming my favourite channel on KZbin! The concept you have made is indeed fantastic. Keep up the good work!

[@jahbrae]

Honestly I was blown away the first time I listened to it

[@jasonmurray4714]

We need a new "What's going on" for 2020-2023

[@t_albino]

Truly one of the greatest records of all time. I'd disagree with this being a cool relaxing ride- i have to be in the right state of mind to listen to it, otherwise It really gets to me and tears me up emotionally. Marvin really wrung out all his emotions on this album and you can feel it clearly. Is it perfect throughout? Id argue some of the songs on Side A couldve been worked on, and Right On on side B is too long imo. But the overall effect is mindblowing. Marvin took the risk - and created pure perfection.

[@JohnSmithiuyytw]

Really great video. Thanks for sharing.

[@damiandarc8643]

Wrote a thesis on this entire album back in the day. One of the all time classics!!!

[@marvinwhittaker]

"What's Going On" was the first album that the musicians got credit on.

[@fancymortimer3247]

Bass player heaven with Jamerson on the low end. Would love to see a breakdown of the "I Want You" album. Thanks for the great content, sir.

[@Dekkie61]

Finally some Jamerson! My favorite of his is Bernadette tho. That bassline bangs so hard. And for some reason, hearing you speak of this album, I suddenly want to hear you discuss Good Kid M.A.A.D. city and illmatic too!

[@diggingthegreats]

I’ve got a vid on NY State of mind and One Love up already! Kendrick is on the list for Sure 🔥

[@zealousjay1993]

Stop giving up bro .. keep playing 💯💯💯👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@MakeSomeNoiseAgencyPlaylists]

nice one √ also big up for mentioning David Van DePitte √√√

[@VarianNash]

3:07 Another sample I didn't know about. I always heard Marvin's version, but never Gladys'.

[@diggingthegreats]

Jamerson is going crazy on that one 🔥

[@VarianNash]

@@diggingthegreats credit where credit is due.

[@AfferbeckBeats]

Fun fact, there were three versions of Grapevine. The Miracles' and Marvin's were recorded first and second but rejected because they didn't think it would be enough of a hit. Gladys' was recorded third but released first and it was a hit. Marvin's was released on his album in 1968 and that ended up being the biggest hit Motown had so far.

[@ErnieLeblanc]

OutStanding! - Liked and Subscribed!🎯

[@beatgordo7905]

I swear when I drive around listening to mercy Mercy Me I hear a 808. That song bump lol

[@KMreview]

This is my favorite Motown album!❤

[@gabrie406]

This couldn’t have come at a better time. While I’ve listened Marvin’s late 70s-early 80s hits before, I recently came across the What’s going on full album, and since early this month it has been, along with Stevie’s “Songs in the Key of Life”, the music that playing on repeat while driving, working out, cooking, and so on. Great video!

[@retrorocket7247]

Man ; you're pretty brave to be dealing with anything related to Marvin Gaye concerning how sue / money happy his relatives are. Still an impressive segment though. Great work.

[@riusma.]

Thank you.

[@recondo1947]

Absolutely wonderful presentation.

[@DavidGarcia-fp5hg]

Super dope video almost made me tear up it sucks his dad was crazy

[@thikdikriky1559]

How'd you get those multitracks/stems??? I've always loved how well this record was mixed. Would love to be able to load this in a DAW and analyze it

[@zealousjay1993]

Appreciate this channel 💯💯💯🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@terrysmith1434]

I’ve always concidered James Jameson the AMBASSADOR of the electric bass guitar.

[@thescatman5029]

I thought reading the Jamerson book, it was "one of the tracks to What's Going On" where he played drunk and high. I tend to agree with that sentiment, as opposed to What's Going On, itself. As much as I respect Jamerson's genius (and he's the reason I'm a musician, a bassist!), that song is too uptempo, too complicated and too perfectly played to play a line like that, fully inebriated, and on one's back. Listening to the whole album, I'm going to guess "Flying High in the Friendly Skies." That tune has a couple of "timing mistakes." Although even that song is brilliant....!

[@shaheedabdulazeez7366]

In 1965, my girl crossed over. The Funk brothers were jazz musicians.

[@larswillsen]

Yup 🙂

[@t_albino]

By the way, you talked of Tammi Terrell retiring...She died of the tumour. On stage. While performing with Marvin. I cant even imagine how that must've felt.

[@Champagneonly]

Quite possibly the greatest album ever

[@madnietzschean]

Dig your Soul and Style Bro....

[@zealousjay1993]

Thanks!

[@diggingthegreats]

Thank you for the support!

[@franciswise1183]

this is one of the GREATEST albums of ALL TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Everything on that album can be said about today, tomorrow and onwards, This was the character and similar song that Eddie Murphy played in Dreams Girls

[@Freakcent]

What a great dig! Love it.

[@johndeerishere]

Great video. Subscribed and liked.

[@ajc5129]

lol the 1-second clip of Ain't No Mountain 😂 I know that we gotta take the fall for youtube copyright strikes, I get it. but it's a testament to the song of how iconic it is if we can ID the song with one second.

[@rhodiak]

Phenomenal content bro.

[@pozitivitymusic]

Great video! … once again. 💜