Song Meaning
Kris Allen's rendition of "What's Going On" isn't just a cover; it's a somber echo resonating across generations. Originally a plea for peace during the Vietnam era, Allen's take confronts a timeless cycle of conflict and misunderstanding. The opening lines, "Mother, mother / There's too many of you crying / Brother, brother, brother / There's far too many of you dying," immediately establish a landscape of loss, a familial heartbreak amplified to a societal scale. It's a direct address to the core human relationships fractured by violence and injustice. The song meaning is rooted in this primal pain, this disruption of the fundamental bonds that should unite us. The lyrics speak to a deep-seated yearning for connection and empathy.
The verses expand on this initial cry, challenging authority figures and societal norms. "Father, father / We don't need to escalate / You see, war is not the answer / For only love can conquer hate" isn't naive idealism; it's a pointed critique of power structures that prioritize aggression over compassion. This echoes the psychological concept of 'splitting,' where complex issues are reduced to simplistic 'us vs. them' narratives, blinding individuals to nuanced solutions. The lyrics suggest a desperate need to transcend this divisive mindset. The repeated plea to "find a way / To bring some loving here today" underscores the urgency of bridging these divides.
The chorus, with its iconic repetition of "What's going on," functions as both a question and an accusation. It's a challenge to complacency, a demand for accountability. The lines "Picket lines and picket signs / Don't punish me with brutality" highlights the personal cost of social activism, the vulnerability of those who dare to speak out against injustice. The inclusion of "everybody thinks we're wrong / Oh, but who are they to judge us / Simply because our hair is long" touches upon themes of prejudice and the suppression of dissenting voices. In essence, Kris Allen's interpretation captures the enduring relevance of the song's message: a desperate call for understanding, empathy, and an end to the cycles of violence that continue to plague our world.
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