What's Going On?
1 of 10
The album begins with “What’s Going On” and eventually returns to the same theme in the closing seconds of the final track. Which song ends the album?
"God is Love"
"Wholly Holy"
"Inner City Blues"
"Mercy Mercy Me"
2 of 10
According to the album, what do you have to do “if you wanna love?”
Thank the lord
Go where the good feeling awaits
Turn on, feel it
Save the babies
ANSWER: This line comes from “Save the Children.” This line comes from “Save the Children.”
3 of 10
What issue does “Mercy Mercy Me” tackle?
The environment
Drug addiction
Mistreatment of veterans
The collapse of the middle class
ANSWER: The song’s full title is “Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)” and asks “Where did all the blue sky go?” and “What about this overcrowded land?” The song’s full title is “Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)” and asks “Where did all the blue sky go?” and “What about this overcrowded land?”
4 of 10
Besides the normal backing band and members of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, who also performs on the album?
The mayor of Detroit
Two members of the Detroit Lions
A chorus of Vietnam veterans
Carly Simon
ANSWER: Gaye had actually unsuccessfully tried out for the Lions during a period of depression before he started recording the album. Mel Farr and Lem Barney of the Lions came on to sing in the background. Gaye had actually unsuccessfully tried out for the Lions during a period of depression before he started recording the album. Mel Farr and Lem Barney of the Lions came on to sing in the background.
5 of 10
What line comes after “Mother, Mother” in the title track?
There's far too many of you dying
We don't need to escalate
You know we've got to find a way
There’s too many of you crying
6 of 10
Where did Gaye perform the album live, in its entirety, in his first live performance since the death of longtime collaborator Tammi Terrell?
Madison Square Garden
Outside the White House
The Kennedy Center
The Hollywood Bowl
ANSWER: The live Kennedy Center performance was eventually included in a special re-release. Next year, John Legend and The Roots will recreate the performance. The live Kennedy Center performance was eventually included in a special re-release. Next year, John Legend and The Roots will recreate the performance.
7 of 10
In “Inner City Blues,” what does Gaye say is “a natural fact?”
That he can't pay his taxes
That God is love
That panic is spreading
That crime rises with no money
ANSWER: The lyrics go “Hang ups, let downs, bad breaks, set backs / Natural fact is, Honey, I can’t pay my taxes” The lyrics go “Hang ups, let downs, bad breaks, set backs / Natural fact is, Honey, I can’t pay my taxes”
8 of 10
Which of the following covers of various songs from the albums is NOT real?
“What’s Going On” by Michael McDonald
“Wholly Holy” by Aretha Franklin
“Mercy Mercy Me” by The Strokes
“What’s Happening Brother” by Stevie Nicks
ANSWER: The title track was famously covered by Cindy Lauper, but also had versions recorded by Quincy Jones, Donny Hathaway, Los Lobos, Coldplay, Joe Cocker and others. The title track was famously covered by Cindy Lauper, but also had versions recorded by Quincy Jones, Donny Hathaway, Los Lobos, Coldplay, Joe Cocker and others.
9 of 10
The album is sung from the viewpoint of a ________.
Veteran returning from Vietnam
Priest
Homeless man
Drug addict
ANSWER: The album’s anti-Vietnma stance is, in part, inspired by the experience of Gaye’s brother, Frankie, who had just returned from a three-year stint overseas. The album’s anti-Vietnma stance is, in part, inspired by the experience of Gaye’s brother, Frankie, who had just returned from a three-year stint overseas.
10 of 10
Which of these songs was released after “What’s Going On?”
"I Heard It Through The Grapevine"
"Let's Get It On"
“Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”
“It Takes Two”
