CYNDI LAUPER WHAT'S GOING ON 7" 45RPM Picture Sleeve SINGLE VINYL

"What's Going On" is a song written by Renaldo "Obie" Benson, Al Cleveland, and Marvin Gaye. It was the title track of Gaye's groundbreaking 1971 Motown album "What's Going On", and it became a crossover hit single that reached #2 on the pop charts and #1 on the R&B charts. The song has been covered by Cyndi Lauper, whose version reached #12 on the pop singles charts in 1987.

 

Close-up of Cyndi Lauper's stylized face with dramatic makeup, long false eyelashes tipped with black beads, pearl-like tears on her cheeks, and a red title banner in the top right corner reading 'Cyndi Lauper – What's Going On'. Her gaze is upward, conveying a haunting and theatrical emotion.

Cyndi Lauper – “What’s Going On” (1987): A Pop Torch Reignited

In 1987, Cyndi Lauper did something bold. She reached into the heart of 1971’s protest soul and pulled out Marvin Gaye’s haunting cry — “What’s Going On” — reimagining it with synths, drum programming, and her unmistakable voice of vulnerability and rebellion. Released as the second single from her sophomore album “True Colors”, Lauper’s version of the song was both an homage and an update — an emotional, glitter-dusted plea for clarity in a world still bent under the weight of injustice.

Historical Context: Echoes of the Early ’70s in the Reagan Era

Marvin Gaye's original release in 1971 had been a landmark — a daring move by Motown’s prince to break free of romantic crooning and speak out against war, poverty, and systemic pain. By the mid-1980s, America was entrenched in another moral tug-of-war: the Cold War cast long shadows, apartheid drew global condemnation, and the AIDS epidemic, particularly close to Lauper’s heart, was largely being ignored by political leaders. In this climate, Lauper’s decision to cover “What’s Going On” was more than musical; it was political theater — in neon.

Genre Shift: Soulful Protest, Rewired as 1980s Synthpop

The original “What’s Going On” was smooth, floating on strings and jazz-influenced percussion. Lauper’s take was cut from a different fabric: it pulsed with electro-pop urgency, echoing the sonic textures of her earlier hits while injecting darker hues of melancholy. The song walks a line between synth-pop and danceable new wave, but never loses sight of its roots in soulful protest. This was not a cover to simply recreate — it was a reinterpretation for a new generation still asking the same question.

Production and Recording: A Pop Laboratory

The track was produced by Shep Pettibone, one of the most influential remixers and producers of the 1980s club scene, alongside Lauper herself. The result was a studio experiment that married the tight punch of dancefloor sensibility with the raw emotion of a protest anthem. Recorded in Right Track Recording Studio in New York City — a favored space among artists seeking rich, warm control-room acoustics — the track bore the fingerprints of meticulous engineering and digital precision.

Pettibone's influence is most noticeable in the drum patterns and structural dynamics: gated reverb on snare hits, sharp hi-hat accents, and a rhythmic bassline more aligned with club charts than Billboard’s R&B listings. Still, Lauper’s voice remains front and center — high, unfiltered, and almost fragile as she questions, pleads, and ultimately insists.

Controversies and Tensions

Lauper’s cover was not without backlash. Critics at the time — particularly purists of Gaye’s catalog — questioned whether the song’s somber tone and complex arrangements translated well into synth-laced pop. Some saw it as overproduction. Others considered the move brave, especially since few white female pop stars had dared to reinterpret a work so intimately tied to the African-American experience of trauma and social protest.

But Lauper never shied away from controversy. An outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and AIDS awareness, she understood the song's themes intimately — perhaps differently, but no less passionately. Her rendition was not imitation; it was conversation.

Album Variants and Regional Releases

Though “What’s Going On” appeared on all versions of “True Colors”, there were subtle differences in international releases. Some editions of the single featured a longer extended dance mix by Shep Pettibone, while others included the radio edit. The UK and European 12" vinyl versions were notable for containing both versions and an instrumental, highlighting Lauper’s intention to bridge radio, club, and personal listening spaces.

The song’s visual presentation also differed: the US release featured abstract cover art in line with Lauper’s playful punk aesthetic, while European editions leaned toward cleaner design, positioning Lauper as a more sophisticated — if still unpredictable — artist in evolution.

Conclusion: The Question Still Hangs

In hindsight, Lauper’s “What’s Going On” stands as more than just a cover. It is a statement of continuity. A bridge from soul to synth. A protest song with a pink streak in its hair and tear streaks on its cheeks. At a time when many pop stars played it safe, she didn’t. Instead, she reached back fifteen years and reminded the world that the questions Gaye asked had yet to be answered. And with every keening note, Lauper made clear: she wasn’t just asking them again — she was demanding answers.

Production & Recording Information:

Music Genre:

80s Pop

Media Format:

7" Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record

Producers:
  • Cyndi Lauper – Producer
  • Shep Pettibone – Remix Producer
Sound & Recording Engineers:
  • Steve Peck – Engineer
Recording Location:

Right Track Recording – New York, NY

Band Members / Musicians:

Band Members, Musicians:
  • Cyndi Lauper – Lead Vocals
  • Peter Wood – Keyboards
  • Steve Gaboury – Synthesizer
  • Alan Childs – Drums

Complete Track-listing:

Tracklisting Side One:
  1. What's Going On (Club Version)
Tracklisting Side Two:
  1. What's Going On (Instrumental)

Index of CYNDI LAUPER Selected Vinyl Album Discography and Album Cover Gallery

Cyndi Lauper Information:

 Cyndi Lauper an American singer, songwriter, and actress who rose to fame in the 1980s with her unique blend of pop, rock, and new wave music. She is known for her powerful voice, colorful fashion sense, and strong advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights and social justice issues. Lauper's music career has spanned over four decades, and she continues to be an influential figure in the music industry to this day.

 Lauper was born on 22 June 1953, in Astoria, Queens, New York City. She grew up in a dysfunctional family and often faced abuse and neglect from her parents. Despite these challenges, she discovered her love for music at an early age and began singing in local clubs and bars. In the late 1970s, Lauper formed the band Blue Angel and released an eponymous album, which received critical acclaim but commercial failure.

 Lauper's breakthrough came in 1983 with her debut solo album, "She's So Unusual," which featured hit singles such as "Girls Just Want to Have Fun," "Time After Time," and "She Bop." The album was a commercial success, reaching number four on the US Billboard 200 and selling over six million copies worldwide. Lauper's unique style and sound, combined with her quirky persona and feminist message, captured the hearts of millions of fans and earned her numerous awards and accolades.

 Throughout her career, Lauper has continued to release critically acclaimed albums and hit singles, including "True Colors," "I Drove All Night," and "All Through the Night." She has collaborated with other prominent artists such as Phil Collins, Billy Joel, and Cher, and has also contributed to several film and television soundtracks. Lauper's music has been praised for its catchy melodies, heartfelt lyrics, and powerful vocals, and she is widely regarded as one of the most influential female artists of her generation.

 In addition to her music career, Lauper is also a passionate activist for social justice issues, particularly LGBTQ+ rights. She founded the True Colors Fund in 2008, which aims to end homelessness among LGBTQ+ youth, and has also been involved in several other charitable organizations, such as Amnesty International and the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD). Lauper's advocacy work has earned her numerous awards and honors, including the Human Rights Campaign's Equality Award and the United Nations' First High Note Global Prize.

CYNDI LAUPER - Change of Heart 12" Maxi Single
Thumbnail of CYNDI LAUPER - Change of Heart 12" Maxi Single album front cover

Pop, New Wave

"Change of Heart" is the second single released by Cyndi Lauper from her second album, True Colors in 1986. The song has become a fan favorite and Lauper still often performs it.

Learn more
CYNDI LAUPER - She's So Unusual 12" Vinyl LP
Thumbnail of CYNDI LAUPER - She's So Unusual 12" Vinyl LP album front cover

Pop, New Wave

Released in 1983, She's So Unusual is Cyndi Lauper’s iconic debut album that redefined pop music with its vibrant mix of New Wave, synth-pop, and punk energy. Featuring smash hits like "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" and "Time After Time," the album launched Lauper into global stardom and became a bold statement of female individuality and creativity.

Learn more
CYNDI LAUPER - She-Bop 12" Maxi-Single
Thumbnail of CYNDI LAUPER - She-Bop 12" Maxi-Single
 album front cover

Pop, New Wave

"She Bop" is the song by American singer Cyndi Lauper, released as the third single from her album She's So Unusual. Worldwide, the song is her most commercially successful single after "Time After Time", and reached number 46 on the UK Singles Chart and number 6 on the ARIA Singles Chart. "She Bop" was the third consecutive Top 10 on her Hot 100.

Learn more
CYNDI LAUPER - What's Going On 7" Picture Sleeve
Thumbnail of CYNDI LAUPER -  What's Going On 7" Picture Sleeve album front cover

Pop, New Wave

"What's Going On" is a song written by Renaldo "Obie" Benson, Al Cleveland, and Marvin Gaye. It was the title track of Gaye's groundbreaking 1971 Motown album "What's Going On"

Learn more