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When it comes to defining the best album of all time, few records have managed to capture the attention of listeners across generations quite like this masterpiece. From the very first track to the closing notes, this album delivers a masterclass in songwriting and emotional resonance.
What sets this soulful collection of songs apart from the rest is its timeless quality. Regardless of when you first hear it, it feels immediate and deeply human. The lyrics speak to universal themes, and the instrumentation intentionally fuses genres to create what RollingStone dubs "soul music’s first concept album."
This record has influenced countless artists and reshaped the soundscape of modern music. It’s more than just an album; it’s a cultural milestone that continues to inspire and challenge. It’s a testament to the power of music at its finest, and a deserving contender for the title of the greatest album of all time.
According to a list compiled by RollingStone, the greatest album of all time is Marvin Gaye's What's Going On, released in 1971. In 2023, R&B sensation John Legend referred to the record as "the voice of black America speaking out that we couldn’t always smile on cue for you."
Here's what RollingStone had to say about Marvin Gaye's What's Going On:
"After What’s Going On, black musicians at Motown and elsewhere felt a new freedom to push the musical and political boundaries of their art. 'When I was struggling for the right of the Motown artist to express himself,' Gaye said, 'Stevie [Wonder] knew I was also struggling for him.' At the end of the final song on What’s Going On, the lament 'Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler),' the music shifts back into a jazzier reprise of the title track. As the album fades out, the groove continues on. Five decades later, it still hasn’t stopped."
Check out RollingStone for a continued list of the 500 best albums ever created.