By the late ‘60s, Marvin Gaye’s life was in a downward spiral. His long-time singing partner Tammi Terrell was diagnosed with a brain tumor (she would eventually die in 1970 at the age of 24), his marriage was on the rocks, he was addicted to cocaine, the IRS was breathing down his neck, and he was increasingly disillusioned with his Motown Records deal.

After an unsuccessful suicide attempt, Gaye — who wanted to make music of greater depth and relevance — got a second chance when he recorded “What’s Going On.” Based on that song’s success, Motown head Berry Gordy asked Gaye to expand it to a full album, which was subsequently recorded in just ten days.

Over the course of nine songs, Gaye addresses a slew of heavy topics: the Vietnam War and social upheaval (the title track), drug addiction (“Flyin’ High (In the Friendly Sky)”), environmental decay (“Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)”), and ghetto life (“Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)”). However, What’s Going On never, ever sounds heavy or overbearing. Rather, it absolutely soars thanks to lush orchestral and choral arrangements, solid backing from the Funk Brothers, and of course, Gaye’s own angelic voice.

What’s Going On is a deeply human plea for compassion and understanding, with Gaye imploring us to look past social divides and instead, see each other as brothers and sisters. It’s a plea that has only grown more powerful — and necessary — in the 50+ years since its release.