2007-02-05 04:09:57 · 2 answers · asked by He listens, He knows 1 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Music
Tammi Terrell died of brain cancer on March 16, 1970. Gaye subsequently went into self-seclusion, and did not perform in concert for nearly two years. He tried various spirit-lifting diversions, including a short-lived attempt at a football career with the Detroit Lions. He trained hard but the team's managers turned him down without a tryout. He continued to feel pain with no form of self-expression. As a result, he entered the studio on June 1, 1970 and recorded the songs "What's Going On", "God is Love", and "Sad Tomorrows" - an early version of "Flying High (In the Friendly Sky)".
Gaye wanted to release "What's Going On" (sample (help·info)). Motown head Berry Gordy refused, however, calling the single "uncommercial". Gaye refused to record any more until Gordy gave in, and the song became a surprise hit in January 1971. Gordy subsequently requested an entire album of similar tracks from Gaye.
2007-02-05 04:20:11 · answer #1 · answered by babygyrl_nyc 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It was a vietnam war, drug abuse, and poverty at that time. Thats what inspire him to make that song.
2007-02-05 04:18:19 · answer #2 · answered by Pumpkin 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋