Stream the multitrack single and pre-order the album here.

NASHVILLE (March 28, 2025) — Four-time Grammy winner Smokey Robinson’s soulful vulnerability have swept audiences away for over 60 years. Last month, he turned 85, but judging by his latest multi-track single, out now via Gaither Music Group, Robinson’s unmistakable voice is as smooth and timeless as ever. This double A-side features a lilting “Three Little Birds,” and an elegant “What A Wonderful World,” both from Robinson’s upcoming album, What The World Needs Now, out April 25th on Gaither.

Robinson partnered with TalkShopLive and gave an in-depth interview about the uplifting new album on April 18. As part of the partnership, randomly selected CDs purchased through the platform will include inserts signed by the artist. Check out the interview and pre-order from TalkShopLive here. He also discussed the record in an in-studio video you can watch here.

“I consider myself to have a great relationship with God, and I think my faith reflects in my work because I seek to do things that are inspirational,” Robinson says. “It’s my hope you can feel that in this album with the songs we chose.”

Robinson’s new multi-track single shows that his mellifluous tone, impeccable delivery, and expressive vibrato are as heavenly now as they were decades ago. Robinson eases his honeyed tenor into a reggae lilt on his version of Bob Marley’s 1977 classic, “Three Little Birds.” He captivates on “What a Wonderful World,” a song originally made famous by Louis Armstrong in 1967. Here, Robinson’s buttery vocals melt beautifully over lavish strings, crystalline piano, subtly gorgeous acoustic guitar accompaniment, and dreamy, stacked backup vocals.

Robinson has been called inspiring and iconic, and he was called “America’s “greatest living poet” by Bob Dylan. He has over 4,000 songs to his credit, and he’s sold out shows all over the world for many decades. And he shows no sign of slowing down. This year finds Robinson celebrating the 50th anniversary of his 1975 breakthrough solo album, Quiet Storm. His upcoming “Legacy Tour” will highlight the album anniversary and celebrate all his top hits throughout the decades.

Somehow, amid album commemorations and getting ready for the road, Robinson found time to go into the studio and record a soul-stirring song collection bursting with hope, love, and unity. What The World Needs Now is an inspirational album in a time where people need timeless music with a message. The 10-track album includes heartfelt renditions of classics and originals. 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 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 to the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame. Robinson has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Track List:

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, will be available on CD and vinyl at Gaither.com.

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.