Cheryl Craigie Breathes New Life Into Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On”
You know it’s ain’t easy to cover someone’s song let alone someone very popular and legendary. I can’t imagine the thought process here, cos I think it’s really gonna be tough. But we gotta be honest, “covering a song by the legendary Marvin Gaye is a pretty brave move.” When you deep it, it’s like trying to repaint the Mona Lisa or bake your grandma’s famous secret-recipe pie. If you mess it up, everyone is going to notice and realize how messed up it is, but if you nail it, then yeah you’re the talk of the town.
But independent singer-songwriter Cheryl Craigie, based out of Woburn, Massachusetts, decided to take the bold move and released her own heartfelt cover of the 1971 classic, “What’s Going On.” What she did that amazes me is the fact that she didn’t hide behind any giant studio tricks, she tackles the heavy tune with pure sincerity, and the result is something truly special. One thing people often get it wrong is, when they hear a record, they like whew that’s probably some heavy equipment doing the magic. But I’m here to tell you that, if you think making a record requires a massive, expensive orchestra and twenty different backing singers, Cheryl thinks otherwise.
On this track, Cheryl didn’t just sing the lead, but also she performed every single vocal harmony you hear. And to top it all, all the instruments were played by her. Surprised? Yeah I am too,cos WTH. Now to help tie it all together, she teamed up with her longtime producer Eric Goldberg to shape the clean, polished arrangement. Then, mixing engineer Lenny Delorey stepped in to give the track a wonderful, warm feel. She has written and recorded everything from folk, rock, and country to pop, rap, and Christian music. Whether she is singing about the pain of a headache in her original song “Migraine” or sipping a drink in “Martini Morning,” her music always feels entirely human and down-to-earth.
And that brings us to the question, So, how does this new version sound? Well Cheryl’s take on “What’s Going On” keeps the spotlight exactly where it belongs, thus on the legendary lyrics. I love the way her warm, expressive vocals carry a gentle, conversational tone. It’s like it pulls you to the song deeply and connect you to the lyrics whilst keeping the instrumention clean and thoughtful, avoiding unnecessary clutter. The song beautifully starts with a steady, inviting rhythm that lets you settle in before her layered vocal harmonies wash over you.
This version doesn’t change the song’s meaning, and infact “What’s Going On” is, unfortunately, just as urgent today as it was in 1971. It’s a song that looks at a chaotic world and asks us to pause, look each other in the eye, and choose love over anger. It’s a plea for motherly love, fatherly guidance, and brotherly understanding. But today in our world, it’s like people don’t even care again. It’s feels like the human side of us is dying slowly, people are extremely selfish and would rather see a brother pass out than help them even when they have enough. It’s crazy, there’s no love, the world is filled with hate and everyone is out there looking out for their skin.
Cheryl’s version is a gentle reminder that we cannot solve our deep social problems with punishment or conflict. No, the people of the old tried it, and in the end what happened? Lots of war here and there untill humanity saw it was stupid and they became reasonable. And I think we’ve to start by actually listening to one another and be compassionate about each other whilst maintaining a spirit of unity in a time when everyone seems to be shouting at each other on the internet.
See I don’t even need to tell you to go give it a listen, cos we live in pretty stressful times, and sometimes we just need a musical hug, a song that will tell us there’s hope and thus we can still trust humanity. And Cheryl Craigie’s cover of “What’s Going On” is that song you need, it’s the the song the world needs. It’s a beautiful, calming tribute that honors Marvin Gaye’s original masterpiece while offering a cozy, personal perspective. If you are ready for a quick mental reset and some positive vibes, go check out the single. “What’s Going On” is live and streaming on all major platforms. Grab your headphones, take a deep breath, and let Cheryl’s warm voice remind you of what really matters!
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