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Whats Going On

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90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

Tuning: standard - eBGDAE
the chords are not that basic, 
Chords used:
      Emaj7      C#m7      F#m11      B9sus4      Am9
[Verse 1]
Emaj7Mother, mother    There's too many C#m7of you crying
Emaj7Brother, brother, brother    There's far too many C#m7of you dying
You know we've F#m11got to find a way
To bring some B9sus4lovin' here today - Ya
[Verse 2]
Emaj7Father, father     We don't need to C#m7escalate
You see, Emaj7war is not the answer    For only love can C#m7conquer hate
You know we've F#m11got to find a way     
To bring some B9sus4lovin' here today
[Chorus]
F#m11Picket lines and B9sus4picket signs
Don't F#m11punish me with bruB9sus4tality
F#m11Talk to me, so B9sus4you can see
Oh, what's Emaj7going on
What's C#m7going on
Ya, what's Emaj7going on
Ah, what's C#m7going on
[Break]
    Am9Right on, baby   Right on  Right on 
F#m11
[Verse 3]
Emaj7Father, father, everybody C#m7thinks we're wrong
Oh, but Emaj7who are they to judge us    Simply because our C#m7hair is long
Oh, you know we've F#m11got to find a way
Bring some undersB9sus4tanding here today
Oh
[Chorus]
F#m11Picket lines and B9sus4picket signs
Don't F#m11punish me with bruB9sus4tality, Come on
F#m11Talk to me, so B9sus4you can see
Oh, what's Emaj7going on
Yeah what's C#m7going on
Tell me what's Emaj7going on
I'll tell you what's C#m7going on
[Outro ad lib]
Am9Right on baby Right on baby
|F#m11  
| Am9| F#m11  
------------------------------------------------------------------------

All chords in this song (5)

The story behind the song

"What's Going On" emerged from a moment of stark observation, as Renaldo "Obie" Benson witnessed police brutality in Berkeley. This experience sparked a question about the pain and crying in the world, and the need to bring love. The song, co-written and produced by Marvin Gaye, marked a shift in his work towards more personal and socially conscious themes. Released in 1971 as the title track of his album, it became a powerful plea for understanding and peace. Playing this song means channeling a deep, heartfelt concern for humanity and a longing for connection.

AI-written from these sources:What's Going On (song) — Wikipedia ↗Marvin Gaye — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

Story time

Whats Going On

Whats Going On

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Whats Going On

by Marvin Gaye

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Emaj7

C#m7

F#m11

B9sus4

Am9

Tuning: standard - eBGDAE

the chords are not that basic,

Chords used:

Emaj7 C#m7 F#m11 B9sus4 Am9

[Verse 1]

Emaj7 C#m7

Mother, mother There's too many of you crying

Emaj7 C#m7

Brother, brother, brother There's far too many of you dying

F#m11

You know we've got to find a way

B9sus4

To bring some lovin' here today - Ya

[Verse 2]

Emaj7 C#m7

Father, father We don't need to escalate

Emaj7 C#m7

You see, war is not the answer For only love can conquer hate

F#m11

You know we've got to find a way

B9sus4

To bring some lovin' here today

[Chorus]

F#m11 B9sus4

Picket lines and picket signs

F#m11 B9sus4

Don't punish me with brutality

F#m11 B9sus4

Talk to me, so you can see

Emaj7

Oh, what's going on

C#m7

What's going on

Emaj7

Ya, what's going on

C#m7

Ah, what's going on

[Break]

Am9

Right on, baby Right on Right on

F#m11

[Verse 3]

Emaj7 C#m7

Father, father, everybody thinks we're wrong

Emaj7 C#m7

Oh, but who are they to judge us Simply because our hair is long

F#m11

Oh, you know we've got to find a way

B9sus4

Bring some understanding here today

[Chorus]

F#m11 B9sus4

Picket lines and picket signs

F#m11 B9sus4

Don't punish me with brutality, Come on

F#m11 B9sus4

Talk to me, so you can see

Emaj7

Oh, what's going on

C#m7

Yeah what's going on

Emaj7

Tell me what's going on

C#m7

I'll tell you what's going on

[Outro ad lib]

Am9

Right on baby Right on baby

F#m11

Am9 F#m11

| |

------------------------------------------------------------------------

About Whats Going On Chords by Marvin Gaye

Learn how to play Whats Going On by Marvin Gaye with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Whats Going On chords”, “Whats Going On guitar chords”, or “Marvin Gaye Whats Going On chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Whats Going On chords and for experienced players who want accurate Whats Going On lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Emaj7, C#m7, F#m11, B9sus4, Am9.

FAQ — Whats Going On by Marvin Gaye

How do I play "Whats Going On" by Marvin Gaye on guitar?

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Are the chords for "Whats Going On" by Marvin Gaye free?

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Can I transpose "Whats Going On" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "Whats Going On" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "Whats Going On"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Whats Going On" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Whats Going On" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Whats Going On" by Marvin Gaye with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Marvin Gaye below.

What key is "Whats Going On" in?

The chords for "Whats Going On" show the original chord names (including Emaj7, C#m7, F#m11, B9sus4, Am9). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.