When Marvin Gaye played "What's Going On" for Berry Gordy in 1970, the Motown chief called it "the worst record I've ever heard," refused to release it, and told Gaye he'd ruin his career. Gaye said he would not record another note for Motown until the song came out. An executive snuck it to the sales department while Gordy was on vacation in the Bahamas. It sold 100,000 copies in its first week. Gordy later called it the greatest record Motown ever released.