What’s Going On

written by: Renaldo Benson/Al Cleveland/Marvin Gaye
orginally performed by: Marvin Gaye
performed live by: Sarah McLachlan & Lilith Fair artists

Lyrics

Mother, mother
There’s too many of you crying
Brother, brother, brother
There’s far too many of you dying
You know we’ve got to find a way
To bring some lovin’ here today – Ya

Father, father
We don’t need to escalate
You see, war is not the answer
For only love can conquer hate
You know we’ve got to find a way
To bring some lovin’ here today
Picket lines and picket signs
Don’t punish me with brutality
Talk to me, so you can see
Oh, what’s going on
What’s going on
Ya, what’s going on
Ah, what’s going on
In the mean time
Right on, baby
Right on
Right on

Father, father, everybody thinks we’re wrong
Oh, but who are they to judge us
Simply because our hair is long
Oh, you know we’ve got to find a way
To bring some understanding here today
Oh
Picket lines and picket signs
Don’t punish me with brutality

Talk to me
So you can see
What’s going on
Ya, what’s going on
Tell me what’s going on
I’ll tell you what’s going on – Uh
Right on baby
Right on baby

 

Appears on

What’s Going On (by Marvin Gaye / 1971)

 

Versions

 

Compilations

Album Name
Track length
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Credits

 

Collaborations

 

Trivia/Notes

– Sarah played this song with the ladies of Lilith Fair at many Lilith shows.

 

Sarah says

 

Video