Such a simple question that’s usually a great way to start a conversation. Many times it’s asked with different intonations and occasionally with a profanity or two mixed in.

2 vastly different but yet similar songs come to mind with this question. Each song with a different style and message but both powerful in their own ways.

Marvin Gaye

“What’s Going On” was inspired by Renaldo Benson, of the Four Tops, telling his story of arriving at Berkeley on May 15, 1969 and witnessing “Bloody Thursday”, an anti-war protest that was violently broken up by police.

Listening to Marvin Gaye perform this song in his laid back style, it’s jazzy and slightly upbeat rhythm allows one to enjoy the song and get carried away by the melody. But, when you focus on the words themselves there’s a solid message behind the easy going song. It’s an anti-war song and a call to stop the fighting and killing.

“Father, Father, We don’t need to escalate. You see, War is not the answer for only love can conquer hate.”

“Picket lines and picket signs. Don’t punish me with brutality. Talk to me so you can see what’s going on.”

4 Non-Blondes

In stark contrast to this song, 4 Non Blondes released “What’s Up” in 1993, but most people know it by the chorus “What’s Going On”.

This song is upbeat, poppy, and easy/fun to sing along to. There’s definitely a feeling of anger that come’s through but it’s never really clear what they’re angry and frustrated about. The general consensus is that it’s about the general unhappiness that comes from being young and struggling to get by.

I believe it’s so relatable because so few of us know what we’re doing with our lives in our early-mid 20s. Along with the pressures of being young women trying to get on with life but feeling stuck. I remember being drawn to this song based on the way it tapped into my personal frustrations at the time.

“And I pray, oh my God do I pray, I pray every single day for a revolution”

“And so I wake in the morning and I step outside and I take a deep breath, and I get real high. And I scream at the top of my lungs What’s Going On?”

It appears that by keeping the source of their frustration vague, the song lyrics touched so many people in different ways, but all felt like the song was about them.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/What%27s_Up%3F_(4_Non_Blondes_song)

These songs still resonate and connect with people 20+ years later. So many of us ask “What’s going on” every single day.