Emtap to play
Amtap to play
Dtap to play
Gtap to play
Ctap to play
Key
E
Difficulty
Beginner
Capo
None
Chords
Em · Am · D · G · C
What’s Going On Chords – Guitar
Marvin Gaye’s soulful protest anthem about war and social injustice. Beginner difficulty in the key of E.
Soul Groove (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456
Tip: Use a light touch and let the chords ring out to match the song’s smooth feel.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
E
Mother, mother
B
There’s too many of you crying
E
Brother, brother, brother
B
There’s far too many of you dying
E
You know we’ve got to find a way
C#m B
To bring some loving here today, yeah
Chorus
E
Father, father
B
We don’t need to escalate
E
You see, war is not the answer
B
For only love can conquer hate
E
You know we’ve got to find a way
C#m B
To bring some loving here today
Verse 2
E
Picket lines and picket signs
B
Don’t punish me with brutality
E
Talk to me, so you can see
B
Oh, what’s going on
E
What’s going on
C#m
Yeah, what’s going on
B
Ah, what’s going on
Chorus
E
Father, father
B
We don’t need to escalate
E
You see, war is not the answer
B
For only love can conquer hate
E
You know we’ve got to find a way
C#m B
To bring some loving here today
Bridge
E B
Right on, baby
E B
Right on, baby
C#m
Right on
B
Right on
Verse 3
E
Mother, mother
B
Everybody thinks we’re wrong
E
Oh, but who are they to judge us
B
Simply because our hair is long
E
Oh, you know we’ve got to find a way
C#m B
To bring some understanding here today, yeah
Chorus
E
Father, father
B
We don’t need to escalate
E
You see, war is not the answer
B
For only love can conquer hate
E
You know we’ve got to find a way
C#m B
To bring some loving here today
Outro
E
Oh, oh, oh
B
Oh, oh, oh
E
Right on, baby
B
Right on, baby
E
Right on, baby
B
Right on, baby
E
Right on, baby
B
Right on, baby
E
Right on, baby
B
Right on, baby
E
…
Practice tip: Master the simple two-chord progression (E to B) before adding the C#m chord, and focus on the vocal-like phrasing of your strumming.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "What’s Going On"?
You need 5 beginner-friendly chords: Em, Am, D, G and C.
Is "What’s Going On" easy to play on guitar?
It is rated beginner and uses only 5 chords in the key of E, making it a good choice for players at that level.
What key is "What’s Going On" in?
It is in the key of E.
Who wrote "What’s Going On"?
It was written by Marvin Gaye, Al Cleveland, Renaldo Benson, and released in 1971.
Emtap to play
Amtap to play
Dtap to play
Gtap to play
Ctap to play
Key
E
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
G-C-E-A
Chords
Em · Am · D · G · C
What’s Going On Chords – Ukulele
Marvin Gaye’s soulful protest anthem about war and social injustice. Beginner difficulty in the key of E.
Soul Groove (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456
Tip: Use a light touch and let the chords ring out to match the song’s smooth feel.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
E
Mother, mother
B
There’s too many of you crying
E
Brother, brother, brother
B
There’s far too many of you dying
E
You know we’ve got to find a way
C#m B
To bring some loving here today, yeah
Chorus
E
Father, father
B
We don’t need to escalate
E
You see, war is not the answer
B
For only love can conquer hate
E
You know we’ve got to find a way
C#m B
To bring some loving here today
Verse 2
E
Picket lines and picket signs
B
Don’t punish me with brutality
E
Talk to me, so you can see
B
Oh, what’s going on
E
What’s going on
C#m
Yeah, what’s going on
B
Ah, what’s going on
Chorus
E
Father, father
B
We don’t need to escalate
E
You see, war is not the answer
B
For only love can conquer hate
E
You know we’ve got to find a way
C#m B
To bring some loving here today
Bridge
E B
Right on, baby
E B
Right on, baby
C#m
Right on
B
Right on
Verse 3
E
Mother, mother
B
Everybody thinks we’re wrong
E
Oh, but who are they to judge us
B
Simply because our hair is long
E
Oh, you know we’ve got to find a way
C#m B
To bring some understanding here today, yeah
Chorus
E
Father, father
B
We don’t need to escalate
E
You see, war is not the answer
B
For only love can conquer hate
E
You know we’ve got to find a way
C#m B
To bring some loving here today
Outro
E
Oh, oh, oh
B
Oh, oh, oh
E
Right on, baby
B
Right on, baby
E
Right on, baby
B
Right on, baby
E
Right on, baby
B
Right on, baby
E
Right on, baby
B
Right on, baby
E
…
Practice tip: Master the simple two-chord progression (E to B) before adding the C#m chord, and focus on the vocal-like phrasing of your strumming.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "What’s Going On"?
You need 5 beginner-friendly chords: Em, Am, D, G and C.
Is "What’s Going On" easy to play on guitar?
It is rated beginner and uses only 5 chords in the key of E, making it a good choice for players at that level.
What key is "What’s Going On" in?
It is in the key of E.
Who wrote "What’s Going On"?
It was written by Marvin Gaye, Al Cleveland, Renaldo Benson, and released in 1971.
Emtap to play
Amtap to play
Dtap to play
Gtap to play
Ctap to play
Key
E
Difficulty
Beginner
Left Hand
Root notes
Chords
Em · Am · D · G · C
What’s Going On Chords – Piano
Marvin Gaye’s soulful protest anthem about war and social injustice. Beginner difficulty in the key of E.
Soul Groove (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456
Tip: Use a light touch and let the chords ring out to match the song’s smooth feel.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
E
Mother, mother
B
There’s too many of you crying
E
Brother, brother, brother
B
There’s far too many of you dying
E
You know we’ve got to find a way
C#m B
To bring some loving here today, yeah
Chorus
E
Father, father
B
We don’t need to escalate
E
You see, war is not the answer
B
For only love can conquer hate
E
You know we’ve got to find a way
C#m B
To bring some loving here today
Verse 2
E
Picket lines and picket signs
B
Don’t punish me with brutality
E
Talk to me, so you can see
B
Oh, what’s going on
E
What’s going on
C#m
Yeah, what’s going on
B
Ah, what’s going on
Chorus
E
Father, father
B
We don’t need to escalate
E
You see, war is not the answer
B
For only love can conquer hate
E
You know we’ve got to find a way
C#m B
To bring some loving here today
Bridge
E B
Right on, baby
E B
Right on, baby
C#m
Right on
B
Right on
Verse 3
E
Mother, mother
B
Everybody thinks we’re wrong
E
Oh, but who are they to judge us
B
Simply because our hair is long
E
Oh, you know we’ve got to find a way
C#m B
To bring some understanding here today, yeah
Chorus
E
Father, father
B
We don’t need to escalate
E
You see, war is not the answer
B
For only love can conquer hate
E
You know we’ve got to find a way
C#m B
To bring some loving here today
Outro
E
Oh, oh, oh
B
Oh, oh, oh
E
Right on, baby
B
Right on, baby
E
Right on, baby
B
Right on, baby
E
Right on, baby
B
Right on, baby
E
Right on, baby
B
Right on, baby
E
…
Practice tip: Master the simple two-chord progression (E to B) before adding the C#m chord, and focus on the vocal-like phrasing of your strumming.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "What’s Going On"?
You need 5 beginner-friendly chords: Em, Am, D, G and C.
Is "What’s Going On" easy to play on guitar?
It is rated beginner and uses only 5 chords in the key of E, making it a good choice for players at that level.
What key is "What’s Going On" in?
It is in the key of E.
Who wrote "What’s Going On"?
It was written by Marvin Gaye, Al Cleveland, Renaldo Benson, and released in 1971.
Emtap to play
Amtap to play
Dtap to play
Gtap to play
Ctap to play
Key
E
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
gDGBD (Open G)
Chords
Em · Am · D · G · C
What’s Going On Chords – Banjo
Marvin Gaye’s soulful protest anthem about war and social injustice. Beginner difficulty in the key of E.
Soul Groove (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456
Tip: Use a light touch and let the chords ring out to match the song’s smooth feel.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
E
Mother, mother
B
There’s too many of you crying
E
Brother, brother, brother
B
There’s far too many of you dying
E
You know we’ve got to find a way
C#m B
To bring some loving here today, yeah
Chorus
E
Father, father
B
We don’t need to escalate
E
You see, war is not the answer
B
For only love can conquer hate
E
You know we’ve got to find a way
C#m B
To bring some loving here today
Verse 2
E
Picket lines and picket signs
B
Don’t punish me with brutality
E
Talk to me, so you can see
B
Oh, what’s going on
E
What’s going on
C#m
Yeah, what’s going on
B
Ah, what’s going on
Chorus
E
Father, father
B
We don’t need to escalate
E
You see, war is not the answer
B
For only love can conquer hate
E
You know we’ve got to find a way
C#m B
To bring some loving here today
Bridge
E B
Right on, baby
E B
Right on, baby
C#m
Right on
B
Right on
Verse 3
E
Mother, mother
B
Everybody thinks we’re wrong
E
Oh, but who are they to judge us
B
Simply because our hair is long
E
Oh, you know we’ve got to find a way
C#m B
To bring some understanding here today, yeah
Chorus
E
Father, father
B
We don’t need to escalate
E
You see, war is not the answer
B
For only love can conquer hate
E
You know we’ve got to find a way
C#m B
To bring some loving here today
Outro
E
Oh, oh, oh
B
Oh, oh, oh
E
Right on, baby
B
Right on, baby
E
Right on, baby
B
Right on, baby
E
Right on, baby
B
Right on, baby
E
Right on, baby
B
Right on, baby
E
…
Practice tip: Master the simple two-chord progression (E to B) before adding the C#m chord, and focus on the vocal-like phrasing of your strumming.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "What’s Going On"?
You need 5 beginner-friendly chords: Em, Am, D, G and C.
Is "What’s Going On" easy to play on guitar?
It is rated beginner and uses only 5 chords in the key of E, making it a good choice for players at that level.
What key is "What’s Going On" in?
It is in the key of E.
Who wrote "What’s Going On"?
It was written by Marvin Gaye, Al Cleveland, Renaldo Benson, and released in 1971.
Emtap to play
Amtap to play
Dtap to play
Gtap to play
Ctap to play
Key
E
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
G-D-A-E
Chords
Em · Am · D · G · C
What’s Going On Chords – Mandolin
Marvin Gaye’s soulful protest anthem about war and social injustice. Beginner difficulty in the key of E.
Soul Groove (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456
Tip: Use a light touch and let the chords ring out to match the song’s smooth feel.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
E
Mother, mother
B
There’s too many of you crying
E
Brother, brother, brother
B
There’s far too many of you dying
E
You know we’ve got to find a way
C#m B
To bring some loving here today, yeah
Chorus
E
Father, father
B
We don’t need to escalate
E
You see, war is not the answer
B
For only love can conquer hate
E
You know we’ve got to find a way
C#m B
To bring some loving here today
Verse 2
E
Picket lines and picket signs
B
Don’t punish me with brutality
E
Talk to me, so you can see
B
Oh, what’s going on
E
What’s going on
C#m
Yeah, what’s going on
B
Ah, what’s going on
Chorus
E
Father, father
B
We don’t need to escalate
E
You see, war is not the answer
B
For only love can conquer hate
E
You know we’ve got to find a way
C#m B
To bring some loving here today
Bridge
E B
Right on, baby
E B
Right on, baby
C#m
Right on
B
Right on
Verse 3
E
Mother, mother
B
Everybody thinks we’re wrong
E
Oh, but who are they to judge us
B
Simply because our hair is long
E
Oh, you know we’ve got to find a way
C#m B
To bring some understanding here today, yeah
Chorus
E
Father, father
B
We don’t need to escalate
E
You see, war is not the answer
B
For only love can conquer hate
E
You know we’ve got to find a way
C#m B
To bring some loving here today
Outro
E
Oh, oh, oh
B
Oh, oh, oh
E
Right on, baby
B
Right on, baby
E
Right on, baby
B
Right on, baby
E
Right on, baby
B
Right on, baby
E
Right on, baby
B
Right on, baby
E
…
Practice tip: Master the simple two-chord progression (E to B) before adding the C#m chord, and focus on the vocal-like phrasing of your strumming.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "What’s Going On"?
You need 5 beginner-friendly chords: Em, Am, D, G and C.
Is "What’s Going On" easy to play on guitar?
It is rated beginner and uses only 5 chords in the key of E, making it a good choice for players at that level.
What key is "What’s Going On" in?
It is in the key of E.
Who wrote "What’s Going On"?
It was written by Marvin Gaye, Al Cleveland, Renaldo Benson, and released in 1971.
Emtap to play
Amtap to play
Dtap to play
Gtap to play
Ctap to play
Key
E
Difficulty
Beginner
Harp Key
C Diatonic
Chords
Em · Am · D · G · C
What’s Going On Chords – Harmonica
Marvin Gaye’s soulful protest anthem about war and social injustice. Beginner difficulty in the key of E.
Soul Groove (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456
Tip: Use a light touch and let the chords ring out to match the song’s smooth feel.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
E
Mother, mother
B
There’s too many of you crying
E
Brother, brother, brother
B
There’s far too many of you dying
E
You know we’ve got to find a way
C#m B
To bring some loving here today, yeah
Chorus
E
Father, father
B
We don’t need to escalate
E
You see, war is not the answer
B
For only love can conquer hate
E
You know we’ve got to find a way
C#m B
To bring some loving here today
Verse 2
E
Picket lines and picket signs
B
Don’t punish me with brutality
E
Talk to me, so you can see
B
Oh, what’s going on
E
What’s going on
C#m
Yeah, what’s going on
B
Ah, what’s going on
Chorus
E
Father, father
B
We don’t need to escalate
E
You see, war is not the answer
B
For only love can conquer hate
E
You know we’ve got to find a way
C#m B
To bring some loving here today
Bridge
E B
Right on, baby
E B
Right on, baby
C#m
Right on
B
Right on
Verse 3
E
Mother, mother
B
Everybody thinks we’re wrong
E
Oh, but who are they to judge us
B
Simply because our hair is long
E
Oh, you know we’ve got to find a way
C#m B
To bring some understanding here today, yeah
Chorus
E
Father, father
B
We don’t need to escalate
E
You see, war is not the answer
B
For only love can conquer hate
E
You know we’ve got to find a way
C#m B
To bring some loving here today
Outro
E
Oh, oh, oh
B
Oh, oh, oh
E
Right on, baby
B
Right on, baby
E
Right on, baby
B
Right on, baby
E
Right on, baby
B
Right on, baby
E
Right on, baby
B
Right on, baby
E
…
Practice tip: Master the simple two-chord progression (E to B) before adding the C#m chord, and focus on the vocal-like phrasing of your strumming.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "What’s Going On"?
You need 5 beginner-friendly chords: Em, Am, D, G and C.
Is "What’s Going On" easy to play on guitar?
It is rated beginner and uses only 5 chords in the key of E, making it a good choice for players at that level.
What key is "What’s Going On" in?
It is in the key of E.
Who wrote "What’s Going On"?
It was written by Marvin Gaye, Al Cleveland, Renaldo Benson, and released in 1971.