What’s Going On

Song Meaning

The lyrics open with a direct address to maternal and fraternal figures, painting a stark picture of widespread sorrow and loss. The narrator observes "too many of you crying" and "far too many of you dying," establishing an immediate tone of anguish and urgency. This sets the stage for a plea for peace, directly confronting the idea of conflict by stating, "war is not the answer / For only love can conquer hate." The core message is a desperate search for a path forward, a collective "way / To bring lovin' here today." The central tension arises from a perceived societal disconnect and injustice. The narrator questions the judgment of others who deem them "wrong," specifically pointing to superficial differences like "our hair is long." This suggests a conflict rooted in misunderstanding and prejudice, where the established order fails to listen or empathize. The repeated question, "What's going on?" acts as a desperate cry for explanation and understanding amidst this chaos and division. The lyrics employ a powerful, almost liturgical repetition that amplifies their impact. The direct appeals to "Mother, mother" and "Brother, brother" create a sense of familial and communal suffering. The chorus, with its insistent "Picket lines" and "picket signs," highlights public protest, immediately juxtaposed with a plea against "brutality." This contrast between outward expression of dissent and the experience of harsh response underscores the narrator's plea to "Talk to me / So you can see." Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics lies in their raw, unvarnished plea for empathy and de-escalation. By grounding the grand themes of war and hate in personal addresses and relatable experiences of judgment, the narrator crafts a powerful call for dialogue. The insistent questioning and the simple, yet profound, desire to "bring lovin' here today" resonate as a genuine expression of pain and a hopeful, albeit urgent, demand for change.