Cheryl Craigie Brings a Timeless Message of Unity to “What’s Going On”

Some songs manage to remain relevant long after their original release, and Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On is one of them. More than five decades after the original appeared, Cheryl Craigie takes on the classic with a version that respects its message while allowing her own voice and interpretation to come through.

What I appreciate most about Craigie’s rendition is that she does not try to compete with the original. Instead, she approaches the song with sincerity and restraint, keeping the focus on its message of compassion, understanding, peace, and concern for other people. Her warm and expressive vocals give the performance an intimate quality that makes the lyrics feel less like a historical statement and more like a conversation happening right now.

The choice of What’s Going On is particularly fitting because its central message still feels remarkably relevant. Craigie describes the song as one that transcends generations, and listening to her interpretation, I understand why she was drawn to it. At a time when division and uncertainty can easily dominate public conversation, the simple call for empathy and unity feels important.

Musically, the arrangement gives the lyrics room to breathe. Rather than overwhelming the vocal with unnecessary production, the instrumentation supports the emotional weight of the song. Craigie performs all of the instrumentation herself as well as all of the vocals, which gives the recording a personal quality. There is a sense that this is not simply a cover she decided to record, but a song she genuinely wanted to communicate through her own musicianship.

The production adds another layer of polish. Longtime collaborator Eric Goldberg produced the track, helping shape its arrangement and overall sound, while mixing engineer Lenny Delorey brought additional clarity and depth to the recording. Together, they create a version that feels contemporary while still respecting the character of the original composition.

This release also fits naturally into Craigie’s broader artistic journey. An independent singer, songwriter, and musician, she has spent years exploring different genres, including folk, rock, country, pop, rap, Christian music, and original songwriting. Despite that range, her music is connected by an interest in meaningful stories and genuine emotion. Her original songs such as Migraine, Soft Place to Fall, and Martini Morning have similarly focused on emotional experiences and personal storytelling.

As her ninth release, What’s Going On demonstrates Craigie’s willingness to use her music to communicate something larger than herself. She isn’t simply revisiting a classic for nostalgia. She is reminding listeners why the song mattered in the first place and why its message still deserves to be heard.

For me, the strongest quality of this recording is its honesty. Craigie understands that some songs do not need to be reinvented completely. Sometimes the most powerful thing an artist can do is deliver a timeless message with genuine feeling and allow listeners to hear it again through a different voice.

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