“Cheryl Craigie doesn’t try to outshine Marvin Gaye’s classic—she reminds us why its message still deserves to be heard.”
Covering a song as iconic as “What’s Going On” is never an easy task. Marvin Gaye’s 1971 masterpiece is woven into music history, admired not only for its soulful sound but also for its plea for compassion, understanding, and peace. Rather than attempting to reinvent a classic beyond recognition, Cheryl Craigie takes a different path. Her version respects the heart of the original while allowing her own voice and musicianship to shine through. The result is a sincere recording that feels both familiar and timely. From the opening moments, Craigie lets the song breathe. The arrangement is clean and uncluttered, allowing the lyrics to remain the focus. Instead of relying on dramatic production tricks, she trusts the strength of the melody and the enduring power of the words. That decision pays off. Every verse feels conversational, as though she is speaking directly to the listener rather than simply performing another cover.
Craigie’s vocal performance is warm, controlled, and heartfelt. She doesn’t imitate Marvin Gaye’s unmistakable style, nor should she. Instead, she approaches the song with quiet confidence, bringing a softer emotional perspective that highlights its message of empathy. There is a genuine sense of care in the way she delivers each line, making the performance feel personal instead of theatrical. One of the most impressive aspects of this release is Craigie’s musicianship. She performs all of the vocals and instrumentation herself, demonstrating a versatility that gives the recording an intimate quality. Longtime collaborator Eric Goldberg provides polished production that supports the performance without overwhelming it, while mixing engineer Lenny Delorey adds clarity and balance that help every element sit comfortably in the mix. The message behind “What’s Going On” remains as meaningful today as it was more than five decades ago. Conversations about division, conflict, and understanding continue to shape everyday life, which gives the song renewed relevance. Craigie clearly understands this. Rather than treating the track as a nostalgic exercise, she presents it as a reminder that kindness and compassion are values worth holding onto, regardless of the era.
As Cheryl Craigie’s ninth release, the single also reflects the artistic direction she has been building over recent years. Whether writing original material or interpreting beloved classics, her focus has consistently been on creating music with emotional honesty. Songs like “Migraine,” “Soft Place to Fall,” and “Martini Morning” have already shown her ability to connect through thoughtful songwriting, and this cover continues that tradition by demonstrating equal care in interpretation. “What’s Going On” succeeds because it never loses sight of the song’s purpose. Cheryl Craigie honors one of soul music’s greatest recordings without trying to compete with it, offering a respectful and emotionally genuine performance that invites listeners to pause, reflect, and remember that the song’s call for unity is as important now as it has ever been.
English