Portrait of Marvin Gaye

Marvin Gaye (April 2, 1939 – April 1, 1984) was also known as the "prince of Motown" and "Prince of Soul." He was a singer, songwriter and record producer who helped shape the "Motown sound." Motown was a record label named after the automaker city Detroit, derived from "motor" and "town."

At the time of social unrest, the Vietnam War, the Black Panther party and the 1965 Watts Riots, Marvin Gaye felt he could not just continue to write love songs.His songs became themes for the 1960s civil rights movement in the US. The album What's Going On is made up of songs told by the character of a Vietnam War veteran. 

"What’s Going On" by Marvin Gaye [excerpt]

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...