What key is "What's Going On" in?

"What's Going On" by Marvin Gaye is in the key of C with a tempo of 100 BPM. Difficulty: easy.

Is "What's Going On" easy to play on piano?

Yes — this arrangement is rated easy, meaning it uses simple chord patterns and a manageable tempo. Most beginners can play through it in 1-3 practice sessions using our color-coded notes.

Can I play "What's Going On" without reading sheet music?

Yes. Our player offers a falling-notes mode (Synthesia-style) and a beginner mode with color-coded keys — both let you play along without reading traditional notation.

How long does it take to learn "What's Going On" on piano?

1–3 short practice sessions for the basics; 2–3 weeks to perform confidently with both hands.

What other songs by Marvin Gaye can I play here?

Try "LET'S GET IT ON", "I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE", "GOT TO GIVE IT UP". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

Lyrics

(Cmaj7)Moth er, moth er,

there’s too man y (Am7)of you cry ing.

You see (Cmaj7)Broth er, broth er, broth er,

there’s far too man y (Am7)of you dy ing.

You know we’ve (Dm7)got to find a way

to to bring some (Dm7)lov in’ here to day, yeah.

(Cmaj7)Fa ther, fa ther,

we don’t need to (Am7)es ca late.

ing.

Ah, but (Cmaj7)war is not the an swer,

for on ly love can (Am7)con quer hate.

ing.

You know we’ve (Dm7)got to find a way

to to bring some (Dm7)lov in’ here to day,

yeah.

(Dm7)lov in’ here to day, oh.

(Dm7)Pick et lines

and (Dm7)pick et signs

don’t (Dm7)pun ish me

with bru (Dm7)tal i ty.

(Dm7)Talk to me

so (Dm7)you can see, oh, what’s (Cmaj7)go ing on,

what’s (Am7)go ing on, yeah, what’s (Cmaj7)go ing on, oh, what’s (Am7)go ing on.

Ah, ah, (Fm9)ah, ah, ah.

I, yi, yi, yi, yi, yi, yi, ya, ya, ya, ya.

I, yi, yi, yi, yi, yi, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya.

Be, doot, de doot; Be, be, be, doot; Be be, be, doot; Bu, doot, be, be, be, doot; Be be, be, be, be, doot.

Be, be, be, be, be, doot.

What's Going On by Marvin Gaye

3 people have learned this song

Easy piano arrangement in the key of C at 100 BPM. Difficulty: easy. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.

About “What's Going On”

What key is "What's Going On" in?: "What's Going On" by Marvin Gaye is in the key of C with a tempo of 100 BPM. Difficulty: easy.
Is "What's Going On" easy to play on piano?: Yes — this arrangement is rated easy, meaning it uses simple chord patterns and a manageable tempo. Most beginners can play through it in 1-3 practice sessions using our color-coded notes.
Can I play "What's Going On" without reading sheet music?: Yes. Our player offers a falling-notes mode (Synthesia-style) and a beginner mode with color-coded keys — both let you play along without reading traditional notation.
How long does it take to learn "What's Going On" on piano?: 1–3 short practice sessions for the basics; 2–3 weeks to perform confidently with both hands.
What other songs by Marvin Gaye can I play here?: Try "LET'S GET IT ON", "I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE", "GOT TO GIVE IT UP". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.