The verdict
Documented Sampling History
Confirmed songwriters of record (Benson, Cleveland, Gaye), no rights dispute — the documented Berry Gordy rejection (“the worst thing I ever heard”) and Gaye’s work-strike response are a creative-history story, not a rights matter.
Quick Facts
Released1971
AlbumWhat’s Going On
GenreSoul, R&B
LabelTamla / Motown Records
ProducerMarvin Gaye
Recorded atHitsville U.S.A., Detroit
More infoWikipedia → · Discogs →
Who you need to ask
The songwriters of record — Renaldo “Obie” Benson, Al Cleveland & Marvin Gaye
Wikipedia → · checked Jul 2026
The current administrator — Not confirmed — Motown/Tamla; needs a Songview/Discogs lookup
Unknown · checked Jul 2026
Has it been reused?
A landmark protest anthem (Rolling Stone’s #4/#6 greatest song); rejected by Berry Gordy, released only after Gaye’s work strike. Opens the album that also gave “Mercy Mercy Me” (this batch).
Do they allow reuse?
No standalone policy found; confirmed songwriters of record.
Related Songs
Same album, answer records, and songs worth knowing about
Same album, “What’s Going On” (this batch)
Same artist (this batch)
Same artist, earlier era (already in this catalogue)
Who Owns It
Licenses explained →The two permissions you need, and who holds them
The song itself (the writing)Renaldo “Obie” Benson, Al Cleveland & Marvin Gaye
A documented rejection, and a work-strikeBerry Gordy bluntly rejected the song on first hearing, reportedly calling it “the worst thing I ever heard in my life.” Gaye responded by refusing to record anything further for Motown — effectively a personal work strike — until Gordy relented and allowed its release, which ultimately happened without Gordy’s direct knowledge, arranged by another Motown executive. A creative rejection, not a rights dispute.
The recording (current administrator)Not confirmed
Receipts
Every public mention of terms, policy, or past deals we've found
A 30-day album bet
To get a full follow-up album, Gordy made a personal bet with Gaye over whether he could finish an entire album in 30 days — Gaye won, delivering the finished album at the deadline after marathon sessions. It was partly inspired by stories from his brother Frankie’s Vietnam War experiences.
CBC Music · read it →
Can You Use It for Free?
How to check PD →Is it public domain?No
Sample History
—
Times sampled
A landmark protest anthem (Rolling Stone top 6)
Covers
—
First flip
Who to Contact
WG
Benson, Cleveland & Gaye (Tamla)
The confirmed songwriters of record
What they'll chargeNobody's shared numbers yet
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Page history · 2 updates
Jul 2026Page created — full research (Research Queue Batch 24)
Jul 2026BPM/Key pending the automated GetSongBPM/Deezer pass