At the time, Marvin Gaye was witnessing an overwhelming amount of violence, hatred, and brutality—so much so that he couldn’t stay silent any longer. The result? He exploded with a masterpiece of a record. But not everyone was on board. Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown, was hesitant to release it, firmly believing that his artists shouldn’t get political. Fortunately, other forces within the label worked behind the scenes to push the record forward.

Then, in January 1971—much to the surprise of both Gaye and Gordy—the What’s Going On 45 single hit record stores, instantly becoming a massive success. And I have to say, this is one of my all-time favorite songs. The harmonies alone are stunning, with Gaye recording his vocals twice to create that layered, almost ethereal effect. And let’s not forget the bassline—played by the legendary James Jamerson, who, according to stories, laid it down while drunk on the studio floor. Hey, who am I to complain? The track slaps.

Oh, and if you haven’t yet, check out the Detroit Mix—it’s got a warmer, richer tone compared to the original. Pure magic.