what is the issue in this song?
I read from wikipedia that it basically refers to the Vietnam war in 1959. It was written by Marvin Gaye inspired by the view point of a Vietnam war veteran returning to the country he was fighting for and seeing nothing but injustice, hatred, and suffering.
...but i also read from someone that i could refer to the civil rights movement? im so confused please help me! thank u!
2007-04-18 17:35:23 · 7 answers · asked by fossilized sap 2 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Music
Vietnam War, pollution, racial problems, protests and violence, kinda all the things that were going on in the world at that time. I remember it was trying times. I graduated from high school in 1970 and that song was out around that time.
2007-04-19 05:35:54 · answer #1 · answered by BoosGrammy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's both. Early in the song he sing about "there's far too many of you dying". He's singing about the black men who are dying disproportionaltely in the Vietnam War. Later he sings about "picket lines and picket signs, don't punish me with brutality" That's about the civil rights movement. I remember this song clearly. I was a very small boy when it came out, and it always made me cry because I missed my brother who was in the Air Force. I think the time is wrong on it, though. It came out in 1971.
2007-04-19 00:39:54 · answer #2 · answered by tranquility_base3@yahoo.com 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am an avid Marvin fan have been forever... Whats goin on was about the Vietnam war..
"Mother mother theres to many of you cryin and.. brother brother brother theres far to many of you dyin"..
"You know we've got to find a way.. to bring some love in here today..
Picket signs and picket lines.. don't punish me with brutality, come on talk to me so you can see.. whats goin on"
" You see war is not the answer, for only love can conquer hate".
Marvin was all about peace and love during the the war..
I feel his death was one of the greatest tragedies in my lifetime..
I actualy did a tribute page to Marvin if you'de like to see it..
The line picket signs.. was not about the civil rights movement it was also about the war in nam.. the hippies were beaten for being against the war and protesting against the war.. " Don't punish me with brutality"
Brother Brother.. refers to all men who were fighting the war.. not a black thing...We were all brothers and sisters during the peace movement...
2007-04-19 00:43:29 · answer #3 · answered by sweetmoonwine 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Did you read the lyrics? They are kinda self explanitory.
Yes, it's a protest about the war, the way Vets were treated when they returned from the war.
Yes, You could also apply that to the civil rights movement but it's really all about that miserable war.
2007-04-19 00:40:10 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was about the war and civil rights But to me it was about the time and place we were in then. and you being confused is understandable, it was a very confusing time If you haven't already listened to the whole album, do so.It is a great album.
Hope this helps you
2007-04-19 00:54:39 · answer #5 · answered by degothedog 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The statement that Marvin Gay asks in his song
"whats goin on" was simply a greeting from the 60s just like "hows it going, baby, ""whats happening,"" how you doing", " Whats up"etc.etc., andf if you listen to the song, he is asking his girl "what is going on between us?"real simple
2007-04-19 00:44:20 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
equality. Getting to know someone prior to making judgment. It's about the war as well... but there is a greater meaning there.
2007-04-19 00:46:35 · answer #7 · answered by Starlyn 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋