It’s like listening to a familiar song, but in a new rendition of Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On,” as Cheryl Craigie brings her own voice to the performance. It’s respectful and yet personal. The song is distinguished by her vocals. Her voice is quiet and self-assured, with each word sounding sincere. She feels as though she truly grasps the message and isn’t simply repeating the lyrics. The emotion is there, the delivery is sincere, and it feels natural.
This melody remains familiar – the shape that listeners recognize is maintained, but Cheryl puts little touches in place that give it a new identity. She doesn’t seem to be trying to duplicate the original word-for-word. Rather, she incorporates her emotions and makes the song her personal response. The strings and regular beat play quietly in the background behind the vocals, adding to the overall richness of the sound without taking away from the message. There is no over-cluttering. It gives room for the words and voice to be prominent.
There’s a sense of care in the making of the production from beginning to end. There are also backing vocals that add depth and help make some moments bigger, but don’t distract from Cheryl’s performance. All the elements of the track are working together to create a sound that is complete, balanced, and harmonious.
The lyrics of the song – caring for others and finding out how to understand each other – still resonate. Cheryl respects those thoughts and pays attention to the words. She knows that it is important and allows it to resonate through her. Cheryl Craigie’s overall version of What’s Going On is thoughtful and respectful of the original, while still being her own. It’s the comfort of a traditional song but also a personal familiarity that makes this rendition stand alone.
Stay connected with this amazing artist:
Discover our playlist :