What's Up?

“What's Up?” by 4 Non Blondes is a powerful anthem of existential frustration and a yearning for meaning and change. The song, penned by lead singer Linda Perry, captures a universal feeling of disillusionment with the state of the world and one's place in it. The opening line, 'Twenty-five years and my life is still / Tryin' to get up that great big hill of hope / For a destination,' immediately establishes a theme of an ongoing, arduous journey without a clear endpoint. This sentiment resonated deeply with a generation grappling with societal pressures and an uncertain future.

The lyrics touch upon feelings of being an outsider and questioning societal structures, particularly in the line, 'the world was made up of this brotherhood of man / For whatever that means.' This has been interpreted as a critique of a patriarchal society, which adds a layer of feminist or political commentary to the song. The recurring, cathartic scream of 'What's going on?' serves as a raw expression of confusion and a desperate plea for answers and a 'revolution.' While some, including the band's bassist, have suggested the lyrics are intentionally vague to allow for personal interpretation, the overarching theme of seeking purpose and venting frustration is clear. The song has also been embraced by the LGBTQ+ community as an anthem of resilience and solidarity.

The song opens with a reflection on life at twenty-five, a continuous and arduous climb up a 'great big hill of hope' without a clear destination in sight. There's a sudden, stark realization that the world is structured around a 'brotherhood of man,' a concept whose meaning and implications are questioned. This contemplation leads to moments of emotional release, crying in bed to clear the mind of overwhelming thoughts and a peculiar feeling of alienation.

In response to these internal struggles, a daily ritual unfolds. Waking up, stepping outside, taking a deep breath, and achieving a sense of being 'real high' – possibly from the fresh air or a metaphorical sense of detachment – culminates in a primal scream from the depths of the lungs, a desperate and cathartic question: 'What's going on?'. This question is repeated in the powerful, anthemic chorus, a collective cry of confusion and a plea for understanding.

The second verse intensifies this sense of struggle, describing a constant and strenuous effort within what is referred to as 'this institution,' which could symbolize society, life itself, or a state of mental confinement. Alongside this effort is a fervent, daily prayer for a 'revolution,' a fundamental change to the established order. The pre-chorus and chorus repeat, reinforcing the cyclical nature of this emotional turmoil and the desperate need for answers and release.

The song's structure, with its recurring verses and explosive chorus, mirrors the build-up and release of personal frustration. The simple act of questioning 'what's going on' becomes a powerful statement of defiance and a search for meaning in a world that often feels bewildering and oppressive.

“What's Up?” was written by Linda Perry, the lead singer of 4 Non Blondes, before the band was even fully formed. In the late '80s or early '90s in San Francisco, a young, struggling Perry, who was working as a waitress, would share her original songs with other musicians, including Stephan Jenkins, who would later front Third Eye Blind. In one such session, she played an early version of “What's Up?”.

The song was born out of Perry's personal feelings of frustration with her life and the state of the world. 4 Non Blondes formed in 1989, and after gaining a following in the San Francisco bar scene, they were signed to Interscope Records in 1991. The song was recorded for their debut album, 'Bigger, Better, Faster, More!', released in 1992.

The recording process for “What's Up?” was fraught with creative differences. The album's producer, David Tickle, had a more polished vision for the song that Perry strongly disliked, feeling it didn't represent the raw emotion she had intended. Dissatisfied with the 'too polished' studio version, Perry took the band to The Record Plant in Sausalito just two days before the album was due for mastering and re-recorded the song herself, with the help of an engineer, to match her original vision. This last-minute, self-produced version is the one that appears on the album and became a worldwide hit. The song was released as the second single from the album in 1993.

The rhyme scheme in “What's Up?” is relatively straightforward, primarily utilizing perfect rhymes in a loose AABB structure within the verses, which contributes to the song's sing-along quality. For instance, in the first verse, 'still' and 'hill' rhyme, as do 'should' and 'world was made up of this brotherhood'. The pre-chorus follows a similar pattern with 'bed' and 'head'.

The rhythm is characterized by a steady, mid-tempo feel, driven by the prominent acoustic guitar strumming and a consistent drum beat. This creates a foundation that is both laid-back and driving, allowing Linda Perry's vocals to build in intensity. The song is written in the key of A Major. The rhythmic structure is not overly complex, which makes the song accessible and allows the focus to remain on the lyrical message and vocal delivery. The interplay between the lyrical rhythm and the musical rhythm is key; the verses have a more conversational, flowing rhythm, while the chorus is more emphatic and declamatory, with the powerful vocal melody soaring over the steady rock beat.

“What's Up?” employs a range of musical and literary techniques that enhance its emotional impact and memorability.

• Vocal Delivery: Linda Perry's vocal performance is a defining feature of the song. Her voice shifts from a conversational, almost weary tone in the verses to a powerful, raw, and soaring scream in the chorus. This dynamic range effectively mirrors the song's emotional arc, from quiet introspection to explosive frustration. Her emotive and at times 'strangulatedly wailed' delivery conveys a deep sense of authenticity and catharsis.
• Instrumentation: The song is built around a simple yet iconic acoustic guitar riff that is instantly recognizable. The arrangement is relatively sparse, featuring acoustic and electric guitars, bass, and drums, which puts the focus squarely on Perry's vocals and the lyrics. The 'jangly strumming patterns' and 'grunge-like tone' of the guitars are characteristic of the early '90s alternative rock sound.
• Repetition and Rhetorical Questions: The chorus's repeated, anthemic question, 'What's going on?', functions as a powerful rhetorical device. Although it seeks an answer, its primary purpose is to express a state of profound confusion and to invite listeners to share in this questioning. The repetition of this phrase, which is not the song's actual title, makes it an unforgettable hook.
• Narrative Voice: The song is written from a first-person perspective, creating a deeply personal and relatable narrative. The lyrics feel like a direct window into the narrator's thoughts and feelings, fostering a strong connection with the listener.

“What's Up?” by 4 Non Blondes became a massive global hit, leaving a significant cultural legacy despite the band being a 'one-hit wonder.' Released in 1993, the song topped the charts in numerous European countries and reached number 14 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The album 'Bigger, Better, Faster, More!' spent 59 weeks on the Billboard 200 and sold over 1.5 million copies.

The song's music video, directed by Morgan Lawley, received heavy rotation on MTV and was nominated for Best Alternative Rock Video at the MTV Video Music Awards. The video, which features the band in a decorated living room and a park, has surpassed one billion views on YouTube.

“What's Up?” has been widely embraced as an anthem, particularly by the LGBTQ+ community, for its themes of resilience and questioning societal norms. It has been featured in numerous films and television shows, including 'Sense8,' 'Yellowjackets,' and 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem,' cementing its place in popular culture. The song has also been covered by various artists, with a notable duet version recorded by Linda Perry and Dolly Parton for Parton's 2023 'Rockstar' album. Despite some critics dismissing the song, its enduring popularity at karaoke and its continued relevance in media demonstrate its lasting impact as a 'neo-hippie anthem' for a generation.

The lyrics of “What’s Up?” are rich with symbolism and metaphors that contribute to its themes of struggle and existential questioning.

• The Great Big Hill of Hope: This is a central metaphor for life's journey, representing the continuous and arduous struggle to achieve one's goals and find a sense of purpose. The image of climbing a steep hill effectively conveys the difficulty and relentless nature of this pursuit for a 'destination' that remains elusive.
• The Brotherhood of Man: This phrase is used with a sense of skepticism ('for whatever that means'), suggesting a critique of societal structures. It can be interpreted as a symbol of an exclusionary, patriarchal system that the narrator feels alienated from. This adds a layer of social commentary, questioning the supposed unity and equality of humanity.
• This Institution: In the second verse, the line 'I try all the time in this institution' uses the word 'institution' metaphorically. It could represent society as a whole, with its rigid norms and expectations, or a more personal state of feeling confined and controlled, like being in a mental or emotional prison. This reinforces the song's theme of feeling trapped and desiring a 'revolution.'
• Screaming at the Top of My Lungs: The climactic act of screaming 'What's going on?' is a powerful symbol of catharsis and protest. It represents a release of pent-up frustration and a desperate, public plea for answers and change in a world that feels confusing and overwhelming.

The most significant recurring phrase in “What's Up?” is unquestionably the powerful, anthemic chorus: 'And I say, hey, what's going on?'. This phrase is repeated multiple times throughout the song, functioning as its central hook and emotional core. Its repetition builds a sense of mounting frustration and desperation, creating a cathartic release each time it is sung with increasing intensity. Interestingly, the song's actual title, “What's Up?”, never appears in the lyrics; the title was chosen to differentiate it from Marvin Gaye's classic “What's Going On”.

Another recurring motif is the act of internal reflection leading to an external expression of frustration. This is seen in the pre-chorus lines, 'And so I cry sometimes when I'm lying in bed / Just to get it all out what's in my head / And I, I am feeling a little peculiar,' which then leads into the action of waking up, stepping outside, and screaming. This pattern reinforces the theme of a deeply felt internal struggle that can no longer be contained and must be voiced aloud.