Whats your favourite song from probably the greatest album of all time and why?


Side A
"What's Going On" (Al Cleveland, Marvin Gaye, Renaldo Benson) – 3:52
"What's Happening Brother" (James Nyx, M. Gaye) – 2:44
"Flyin' High (In the Friendly Sky)" (M. Gaye, Anna Gordy Gaye, Elgie Stover) – 3:49
"Save the Children" (Cleveland, M. Gaye, Benson) – 4:03
"God is Love" (M. Gaye, A. Gaye, Stover, Nyx) – 1:49
"Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)" (M. Gaye) – 3:14

Side B
"Right On" (Earl DeRouen, M. Gaye) – 7:31
"Wholy Holy" (Cleveland, M. Gaye, Benson) – 3:08
"Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)" (M. Gaye, Nyx) – 5:26
[b][Edited 11/5/07 1:27am]

Mercy Mercy Me. It's so soothing. I love listening to it. I like the whole album actually. It never gets old.
[Edited 11/5/07 2:45am]

I'd have to go with "What's Going On" beating out "Inner City Blues." Both tracks show uncanny insight into their respective issues that has kept them relevant for the past 36 years (and counting). The jazzy title track features a fantastic vocal performance by Marvin -- at different times showing pain, frustration, disappointment, and empathy. The multi-tracked vocals are sublime and the scatting is perfect.

Of course, the entire album is sensational. "God Is Love" is particularly underrated.

AlexdeParis said:

My favourite is What's Happening Brother? Because it's simply an extension of What's Going On?

The concept of the album was based on Marvin brother returning from the war in Vietnam and I can just imagine this conversation taking place amongst many brothas returning from vietnam in the early 70s to so much uncertainty. And once again the song is still relevant today, especially with Bush's futile war in Iraq and those returning from that war.

Flyin' High (In the Friendly Sky)



http://www.youtube.com/wa...RcgeVmJgzQ


Sad Tomorrows




http://www.youtube.com/wa...DtnZlaF-lI

Amazing, this gem still sits atop my all-time list.
Fave track is definitely "ICB". It's always relevant;
just like the title track, but this has a cool bass line.

"Inner City Blues". As a track, "What's Going On" is kind of overrated in comparison.

What's Happenin' Brother & Save The Children.

everything on the album is brilliant and maybe i've heard the most played tracks a bit too much over the years, but i still love them.

btw, i was born the same week this album was released. i'm special.

"God Is Love"

Vinny, "What's Going On" isn't overrated in comparison with any song. Even in comparison to other songs on the album. Period.

funkpill said:

It took me years to realize that Flying High was about Drugs

VinnyM27 said:

inner city blues. many have re-done it but I haven't heard anyone top angela winbush's version. her rendition is straight up memorable

What's Going On
What's Happening Brother
Mercy, Mercy Me (The Ecology)

Mercy Mercy Me (Ecology) and Save the Children are such a beautiful and classy songs without sounding corny. Not many people can sing songs about such a topics without making them sound chessy and corny.

And that's what I like about Marvin he could take a song regarding any topic from sex to saving the children and convey the same emotions when singing these songs. He didn't say because he was singing about the earth he would go all disney on us. Not many people have that kind of gift.

whatsgoingon said:

To answer the question, I really can't decide which song is my favorite! All of them are great.

But I have to say it's between "Right On", "What's Happening Brother?" and "God is Love" right now.

I LOVE the original version of "God is Love" and the original version of "Flying High in the Friendly Sky" (a/k/a "Sad Tomorrows").

That album is brilliant from start to finish!

That entire album is the stuff of legend, IMHO, but if I were forced to choose...

Inner City Blues gets my vote. It has that awesome bongo line; that funky bassline; a good groove; amazing lyrics we all can relate to; a cathartic hook; beautiful, subtle harmonies; a great little improv section... It just has it all. Even strings!
[Edited 11/5/07 15:22pm]

Timmy84 said:

I was listening to this album today after not listening to it for quite awhile-I have been more into the I want You album in more recent times- and it's a story book, you can picture the Inner Cities as he sings Inner City Blues. It is such a sublime album that will probably still be relevant in a 100 years time.

whatsgoingon said:

YES! That's what made the album great: it tells a story within a story and I feel you about "Inner City Blues", it feels you're in the streets at that moment when he sings!

Lammastide said:

Well said and I agree, "Inner City Blues" is a great song. It's probably my fave on that album followed closely by "Save The Children".
[Edited 11/5/07 15:54pm]

namepeace said:

That shit is a stone cold classic! I can almost see why Berry Gordy didn't think it would make a good single... but OTOH I can't imagine how anyone could resist such a beautiful song.

AlexdeParis said:

Eh, I could understand when you've heard it so much but me personally I never get tired of hearing that song. That is a TIMELESS song!

shucks I can rank them:

1) Flyin' High (In the Friendly Sky)
2) God is Love
3) Inner City Blues (Make me Wanna Holler)
4) What's Happening Brother
5) What's Going On
6) Mercy Mercy Me
7) Right On
8) Save the Children
9) Wholy Holy

missfee said:

I would rank mine like this


1) Whats Happening Brother
2) What's going On
3) Inner City Blues (Make me Wanna Holler)
4) Flying High in the Friendly sky
5) God is Love
6) Mercy Mercy Me
7) Save the children
8) Right on
9) Wholy Holy

I'll play, too:

1. What's Going On
2. Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)
3. God Is Love
4. What's Happening Brother
5. Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)
6. Flyin' High (In the Friendly Sky)
7. Save the Children
8. Right On
9. Wholy Holy

1.) Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)
2.) Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)
3.) What's Happening Brother?
4.) What's Going On
5.) God Is Love
6.) Save the Children
7.) Flying High in the Friendly Sky
8.) Right On
9.) Wholy Holy

But really, to list "Wholy Holy" last is funny because all of these songs are like 10's to me.
[Edited 11/6/07 7:07am]

The title track.

Why? Just 'cos.

Cloudbuster said:

Why?

My ranking from the best):
Flying High
Inner City Blues
What's Happening Brother
What's Going On
Mercy Mercy Me
Save the Children
God Is Love
Wholly Holy
Right On (the only song I consider skipping while listening to the album)

The album is made to be listened to in the order its in, and it does feel weird when I don't, but "Flying High" is such a smooth musical ride. I also love the alternate version (Sad Tomorrows). You can find it on the special edition remastered CD
[Edited 11/6/07 14:15pm]

SefraNSue said:

Sad Tomorrows.