Right On (song)

"Right On" is a 1971 song written by Earl DeRouen and Marvin Gaye and produced by Marvin, who issued the song on his landmark album, What's Going On. The song, which talked about the differences between the rich and poor, good and evil and other divisions, was built in a different musical texture than previous singles bringing in a Latin soul percussive style including maracas and a flute and fluent jazz-styled piano playing from Gaye. The song changed into abstract melodies and harmonies from Marvin with the first half in a settled mood, the second half a little more hasty as Marvin's lyrical content went from social to political and the third which was a more modest close in which Marvin preached how "love can conquer hate anytime" and telling someone close to him to come "to live where love is King" before ending in the song's first half musical production. The song then climaxes with Marvin segueing into "Wholy Holy". The title was also referenced in "What's Going On" so prominently and was so heralded that Marvin formed a production company titled Right On Productions soon afterwards.

Personnel

• All vocals by Marvin Gaye
• Instrumentation by The Funk Brothers and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra
• Produced by Marvin Gaye