Drawing us in with a dimensional and optimistic soundscape, creating a cohesive and dynamic tapestry of sound, Cheryl Craigie opens her cover of Marvin Gaye‘s 1971 song, What’s Going On, with the iconic lyrics, “Mother, mother, there’s too many of you crying, brother, brother, brother, there’s far too many of you dying, you know we’ve got to find a way to bring some loving here today…”
We are immediately captivated by Cheryl Craigie‘s rendition of What’s Going On and the raw authenticity that transmutes with this reimagined version almost sixty years later. What is most interesting is the zeitgeist nature of the lyricism.
In essence, What’s Going On is one of the most important protest songs ever made in history. It was originally inspired by the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights Movement, and growing racial tensions in America.
The song poignantly asks why people are hurting each other instead of showing compassion. Rather than expressing anger, the lyrics call for peace, love and understanding. The song marked a major change for Motown, proving that soul music could tackle serious social and political issues.
It makes sense that Cheryl Craigie has brought this song back to life at a time when we need it the most. Cheryl confesses, “What’s Going On is one of those rare songs that remains just as relevant today as when it was first released. Its message of understanding, compassion, and concern for one another transcends generations. I wanted to record a version that honours Marvin Gaye‘s masterpiece while sharing those sentiments in my own voice. My hope is that listeners will connect with the song’s message and find inspiration in its call for unity and kindness.”
Cheryl’s cover was co-produced with her longtime collaborator Eric Goldberg. The recording was mixed by Lenny Delorey. Needless to say, we are in awe, and are truly appreciative to Cheryl Craigie for bringing this message back to the forefront in the face of so much geo-political conflict. The ethereal energy is also transcendental and we could imagine this being featured in a psychedelic TV show like Nine Perfect Strangers, or a movie like the Oscar-winning One Battle After Another.
We have added What’s Going On to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TIMELESS playlist, whilst we continue to stream the exquisite, growing discography of Cheryl Craigie, including Migraine, and Martini Morning.