This 1971 release coming in at number 16 on the Best of the 70's list is, in my opinion, the greatest album ever made. Lyrically it's brilliant, musically it's flawless, and if you don't know anything about Marvin Gaye, you'll learn very quickly listening to this album that he is one of the best singers in pop music history.
Ultimately this album has an overall message that I find to be the most compelling of any album I've ever heard, and I think that message is best understood by listening to the song "God Is Love." Essentially the essence of this album comes down to two lines in this song.
"He made this world for us to live in, and gave us everything
And all he asks of us is we give each other love."
It really is that simple and yet we make it so complicated.
There is never a bad time to play this album.
Following the Rhapsody rating method I give it 5 out of 5 stars for Great.
I'm very happy you got to write this review.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading this review.
ReplyDeleteIn complete agreement about the record and the review.
ReplyDeleteIt's just one perfect song after another on this thing.
What's Going On came out in May 1971, and then Curtis Mayfield released Roots five months later. I've liked a few of the songs, hearing them on greatest-hits compilations or on the radio or whatever. But, until this morning, I'd never heard the full album, and it's very great, too.
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