What's Up

The speaker feels stuck despite years of effort, still climbing toward a hoped-for destination without knowing exactly what it is. The lyrics move between private sadness—crying alone to release thoughts—and a more forceful, outward question about the world. The repeated “What’s going on?” expresses confusion and a desire for change rather than asking about one specific event.

The “great big hill of hope” suggests that reaching a better future is difficult and takes ongoing effort. Crying “to get it all out” means expressing feelings that have built up inside. The speaker also refers to a “brotherhood of man,” an ideal of human connection or shared responsibility, but the phrase “for whatever that means” shows uncertainty about whether this ideal feels real. “Pray for a revolution” may suggest longing for a major transformation, not necessarily a literal political uprising.

The song can be heard as both a personal account of emotional struggle and a broader protest against a world that seems confusing or disappointing. Its plain, repeated question leaves the source of the speaker’s frustration open. The lyrics do not provide a clear answer or destination; instead, they emphasize trying, hoping, and asking what must change.