Publicity photo, photographer Jim Britt, Public Domain
Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On” is one of the most important songs of all time, so it should be no surprise that there have been many cover versions. Here is a sampling of six of them.
The Undisputed Truth (1972)
This close-to-9-and-a-half-minute version was off the Motown act’s sophomore album Face to Face With the Truth. Producer Norman Whitfield assembled the group to experiment with a psychedelic soul sound.
Big Youth (1976)
This reggae version is off the Jamaican singer and toaster’s 1976 album Hit The Road Jack. His version includes adlibbed lyrics concerning his Rastafarian beliefs and sings a few verses of Gaye’s “Mercy Mercy Me”.
Cyndi Lauper (1986)
Lauper’s version appeared on her sophomore album True Colors. The tune managed to hit #12 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
A Perfect Circle (2004)
This chilling reworking is off the alt-rock band’s third album eMOTIVe, a mostly cover album featuring radical reinterption of anti-war songs.
Amos Lee (2018)
This strip-down acoustic reworking by the singer-songwriter is off the deluxe version of his album My New Moon. Lee made the following statement about his cover during an interview on NPR’s World Cafe: “What’s Going On” has always been one of my favorite songs. It’s universal, timeless, poignant, powerful, and lyrically perfect. It embodies the story of struggle and strength as well as anything ever written. As long as we live through troubled times, this song will remain an American standard and a place of refuge for those who seek solace in song.”
Roberta Flack (2021)
Flack’s funky jazz arrangement was recorded in 1971 but unfortunately didn’t receive an official release until its inclusion on the 50th Anniversary Edition of her album Quiet Fire.
Jesse Collin Young also did a superb cover back in the 70’s. Thanks for these 6.