Smokey Robinson Releases Latest Project, ‘What The World Needs Now’

Two-Time Rock N’ Roll Hall of Famer Smokey Robinson’s Gaither Music Debut, What The World Needs Now, Out Today

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 Smooth and Soulful Album Offers Timeless Music with a Message

Stream the album here.

“Whenever I’m in the studio, I’m having fun. Recording this time was even more special because we went in with a purpose: to record an uplifting album in a time when the world needs some inspiration,” Robinson says. You can watch the behind-the-scenes mini-documentary about the making of the album here.

Robinson has recently released two multi-track singles from the album, bursting with the soulful, emotional elegance that has been his trademark throughout his six-decade music career. These new tracks showcase Smokey’s timeless talent and voice that is just as strong as it was in his Motown heyday.

His new record, What The World Needs Now, is quintessential Smokey Robinson. An exhilarating 10-song journey in music that traverses pop, folk, gospel, reggae, jazz, soul, and R&B. Robinson’s ability to speak directly to hearts of the masses shines majestically on the album which features classics by Burt Bacharach, Bob Marley, Bill Withers, The Staple Singers, James Taylor, Carole King, and Louis Armstrong. The ever-prolific Robinson, who has over 4,000 songs to his credit, also contributed a pair of originals to What The World Needs Now.

The album’s thoughtful arrangements, rich and varied orchestrations, and pristine and nuanced production recall the grandeur of the Motown days. Stately strings, delicate piano, ear-worm guitar flourishes, a righteously grooving rhythm section, and heavenly layered backup vocals beautifully set the stage for Robinson’s honeyed vocals which exude love, hope, and compassion. What The World Needs Now was produced by Warryn Campbell who is best known for his work with Mary Mary, Kanye West, Yolanda Adams, Jennifer Hudson, and Stevie Wonder.

Robinson recently partnered with TalkShopLive, and gave an in-depth interview about the inspiring new album. As part of the partnership, randomly selected CDs purchased through the platform will include inserts signed by the artist. Check out the interview and order from TalkShopLive here.

Robinson has been praised by Bob Dylan as “America’s greatest living poet.” He has won numerous awards, including four GRAMMY Awards, a GRAMMY Living Legend Award, the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize, and a NARAS Lifetime Achievement Award. He’s earned an Honorary Doctorate at Howard University, Kennedy Center Honors, a BET Lifetime Achievement Award, and the National Medal of Arts Award from the President of the United States. In addition, Robinson has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame—once as a solo artist, and again as a member of the Miracles—and he’s also been inducted into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame. Robinson also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

These days, he remains as vital as ever. The 85-year-old singer, songwriter, and producer is still touring and performing shows across the country and in the UK later this year. This year he will celebrate the 50th anniversary of his 1975 breakthrough solo album, A Quiet Storm. Robinson’s upcoming “Legacy Tour” will highlight the album anniversary and celebrate all his top hits throughout the decades.

1. Be Thankful For What You’ve Got

2. What A Wonderful World

3. Three Little Birds

4. Everything is Beautiful

5. What The World Needs Now

6. Lean On Me

7. I’ll Take You There

8. You’ve Got a Friend

9. Be Kind To The Growing Mind (Smokey Robinson Original)

10. Food For Thought (Smokey Robinson Original)

Smokey Robinson’s album, What the World Needs Now, are available on CD and vinyl at Gaither.com.

Cover art and photos for the album can be downloaded here.

About Smokey Robinson

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Smokey Robinson’s career spans over six decades of hits. He has received numerous awards including the GRAMMY Living Legend Award, GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award, Honorary Doctorate (Howard University), Kennedy Center Honors, the National Medal of Arts, and inducted into the Songwriters’ Hall of Fame and the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame.

Born and raised in Detroit, Robinson founded the Miracles while still in high school. The group was Berry Gordy’s first vocal group and their single of Robinson and Gordy’s “Shop Around” became Motown’s first million seller. It was at Robinson’s suggestion that Gordy started Motown. In the years following, Robinson continued to pen hits for the group including “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me,” “Ooo Baby Baby,” “The Tracks of My Tears,” “Going to a Go-Go,” “More Love,” “Tears of a Clown” (co-written with Stevie Wonder), and “I Second That Emotion.” In addition to writing hits for the Miracles, Robinson wrote and produced hits for other Motown artists including Mary Wells, Marvin Gaye, Brenda Holloway. He wrote the Temptations’ signature song, “My Girl,” their first No. 1 hit which recently crossed 1Billion streams.

As the Vice-President of Motown Records, Robinson served as an in-house producer, A&R, and songwriter until the sale of the company, shaping the label’s success with his friend and mentor Berry Gordy. As an artist, he released several successful solo albums through Motown. His album Quiet Storm sparked a whole new genre of music and a radio format of melodic R&B with jazz, pop, fusion elements for late night listening. This year, Quite Storm celebrates its 50th Anniversary. He continued his impressive touring career around the world performing his chart-topping solo hits “Just to See Her,” “Cruisin’,” and “Being with You” and more.

In the last few years, Robinson co-wrote for and/or appeared on Anderson .Paak, Rita Wilson, The Temptations and other artist projects. His last album was released in 2023 and he created his own channel “Smokey’s SoulTown” on SiriusXM that he hosts and curates with interviews and performances.

During the course of his 60-year career in music, Robinson has accumulated more than 4,000 songs to his credit and continues to thrill sold-out audiences around the world with his high tenor voice, impeccable timing and profound sense of lyric.

Find the Smokey Robinson playlist here.

About Gaither Music Group:

One of the largest independent Christian music companies in the world and a household name for millions of fans, Gaither Music Group (part of Sun Label Group, which encompasses Gaither Music, Sun Records, Green Hill, emeraldwave by Green Hill, and Rural Rhythm), in partnership with Primary Wave Music Publishing, is known worldwide for its award-winning and top-selling recordings, including the Gaither Gospel Series, of which 133 products have been certified gold, platinum, or multi-platinum.

These recordings, which encompass more than 200 video copyrights, showcase gospel music pioneers; many of the finest performers in the gospel and country genres; up-and-coming acts; and country artists including The Oak Ridge Boys, Jimmy Fortune, Joey+Rory, Alabama, Alan Jackson, The Statler Brothers, George Jones, Vince Gill, Josh Turner, Tennessee Ernie Ford, The Isaacs, and others.

The Gaither Music Group brand has partnered with established artists including The Estate of Whitney E. Houston, Sandi Patty, Gloria Gaynor, Steven Curtis Chapman, and a host of acclaimed talent from various fields of music. Gaither Music Group has garnered sales of more than 40 million DVDs and CDs, including such PBS stalwarts as Billy Graham: God’s Ambassador, the only authorized video autobiography of Reverend Billy Graham; The Gospel Music of Johnny Cash; and three Elvis Presley projects, including He Touched Me and The Gospel Music of Elvis Presley, in conjunction with the Elvis Presley Estate.

Gaither Music Group developed a strategic partnership with Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® in 2008; and its alliances with Capitol Christian Music Group, Virgin Music Label & Artist Services, Universal Music Group, and Time Life Music remain bedrocks for the company. Most recently, the Gaither Music TV YouTube channel crossed the 3.7 billion life-to-date streaming benchmark and hosts more than 3.5 million subscribers.