"War Is Not The Answer...For Only Love Can Conquer Hate"

Mother, mother

There's too many of you crying

Brother, brother, brother

There's far too many of you dying

You know we've got to find a way

To bring some loving here today

Father, father

We don't need to escalate

You see, war is not the answer

For only love can conquer hate

You know we've got to find a way

To bring some loving here today

Picket lines and picket signs

Don't punish me with brutality

Talk to me, so you can see

Oh, what's going on

What's going on

What's going on

Ah, what's going on

Father, everybody thinks we're wrong

Oh, but who are they to judge us

Simply because our hair is long

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

To bring some understanding here today

Oh, picket lines and picket signs

Don't punish me with brutality

Talk to me

So you can see

What's going on

Yeah, what's going on

Tell me what's going on

I'll tell you what's going on

During the 1960s, most songs were surrounded with themes of war and protest. Some songs influenced rallys and were the rebel yells for crowds of people against the Vietnam War. After secluding himself for almost two years, Marvin Gaye released his war-themed album What's Going On. Above are the lyrics to one of his hit songs from the record, also titled "What's Going On". In the song, told from the perspective of Gaye's brother, who was a returned soldier from combat, Marvin takes on a different perspective of protest and war. He says "Only love can conquer hate" and offers alternatives to protesting war. Instead of acting violently, he uses care and love as the alternative.

The song opens with the line "Mother mother, there's too many of you crying". Right away, the song gives an emotion of remorse and sadness at the occuring events. The verse continues with the line "Brother...there are far too many of you dying". By using the words "Mother", "Brother", "Father", it shows that the conflicts are close to home, relateable, and effective every aspect of family. But following these lines, Gaye says "You know we've got to find a way to bring some loving here today". He does not suggest violence and protests but wants peace to conquer the terrible war.

The line "picket lines and picket signs, don't punish me with brutality/talk to me so you can see what's going on" is a prime example of the alternatives the song offers. Instead of yelling and fighting, Marvin Gaye says to "talk" and learn about "what's going on". The lyrics are still anti-war: "war is not the answer/for only love can conquer hate", however, it's main power message is cooperation between those affected by the war.