The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Hey baby, what'cha know good
I'm just gettin' back, but you knew I would
War is hell, when will it end?
When will people start gettin' together again?
Are things really gettin' better, like the newspaper said?
What else is new my friend? Besides what I read
Can't find no work, can't find no job, my friend
Money is tighter than it's ever been
Say, man, I just don't understand
What's going on across this land
Ah, what's happening, brother?
Ay, what's happening? What's happening my man? Woo
Are they still gettin' down where we used to go and dance?
Will our ball club win the pennant?
Do you think they have a chance?
And tell me, friend, how in the world have you been?
Tell me what's out and I want to know what's in
What's the deal man, what's happening
What's happening, brother?
What's happening, brother?
Ah, what's happening, brother?
What's happening my man?
Woo, ah, what's happening, brother?
Say it, man, woo
What's happening, brother?
What's been shaking up and down the line?
I want to know 'cause I'm slightly behind the times
Woo-hoo, ooh-ooh
I'm just gettin' back, but you knew I would
War is hell, when will it end?
When will people start gettin' together again?
Are things really gettin' better, like the newspaper said?
What else is new my friend? Besides what I read
Can't find no work, can't find no job, my friend
Money is tighter than it's ever been
Say, man, I just don't understand
What's going on across this land
Ah, what's happening, brother?
Ay, what's happening? What's happening my man? Woo
Are they still gettin' down where we used to go and dance?
Will our ball club win the pennant?
Do you think they have a chance?
And tell me, friend, how in the world have you been?
Tell me what's out and I want to know what's in
What's the deal man, what's happening
What's happening, brother?
What's happening, brother?
Ah, what's happening, brother?
What's happening my man?
Woo, ah, what's happening, brother?
Say it, man, woo
What's happening, brother?
What's been shaking up and down the line?
I want to know 'cause I'm slightly behind the times
Woo-hoo, ooh-ooh
Lyrics submitted by yuri_sucupira
What's Happening Brother Lyrics as written by James Nyx Marvin P Gaye
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
Marvin's brother got back from the war a slightly changed man and this is about the trouble he had fitting back into society after experiencing trauma in the war. It's almost like 'Whats Going On part 2'
^ said it perfect boozm. Song's about a guy who left for Vietnam and doesn't recognize the landscape when he got back to the "world". Song appears in a great scene in the movie Dead Presidents. Honestly probably my favourite song on the album
Why has no one commented on this song? It's fantastic! You guys had it right on the meaning, not much more I can add to it :)
@AmarothVartaak Well you just explained why nobody commented. What more do you want anyone to say. It's called song meanings and the meaning was explained.