This song was written by Motown and preformed by Marvin Gaye, from the early 60 and 70's.

The song talks about the war going on at the time, and he says that there are too many people dying and crying from the war. I think he has some connection with the war, maybe someone in his family has been in the war because he always says "brothers"

The song is also asking "what is going on" that is also the song title. Marvin Gaye is asking why the war has to be going on and he wished it could all just be over.