There are songs that never die. “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” is one of those anthems — a soul classic that has seeped into blues, rock, and pop culture for generations. But in 2025, STRYKEN aren’t just covering the tune. They’re rewriting the story, dragging the song’s beating heart into the glare of the smartphone age and asking: what happens when rumors travel faster than ever, powered by likes, shares, and anonymous whispers?
The original “Grapevine” is a staple, immortalized by Marvin Gaye and Creedence Clearwater Revival. It’s the sound of heartbreak, of secrets passed down the line, of trust betrayed. STRYKEN’s 2025 version, set for pre-order on June 20th and a full streaming release June 27th, doesn’t just pay homage — it detonates the song’s old bones with heavy riffs, pounding drums, and lyrics that couldn’t be more 2025.
“We wanted to take the pain and suspicion of the original and turn the focus outwards, onto the world we’re living in now,” says the band. “Social media is the new grapevine. The rumors aren’t just whispered anymore — they’re amplified, screen-shotted, and weaponized.”
STRYKEN’s cover isn’t a simple rehash. The lyrics have been rewritten to tackle today’s viral rumor mill, calling out the toxic culture of online gossip and the digital wildfire of half-truths. Where the original was personal, STRYKEN’s version is communal — a rallying cry to stop the cycle of outrage and love our neighbor, even when the algorithm screams otherwise
The new verses cut deep:
“Screens glow in the dark, rumors spark like wildfire /
Swipe and share, but no one’s ever wiser /
Love your neighbor, silence the lies /
We’re more than pixels, more than alibis…”
That’s the spirit the band wanted — a song that’s both a blast to play live and a challenge to listeners to think before they share.
You won’t have to wait long. The track drops for download pre-order around June 20th and lands on every major streaming service June 27th. STRYKEN are betting big on this one — it’s not just another cover, it’s a statement piece.
Expect a full-throttle production, with crunchy guitars and a vocal delivery that lands somewhere between defiant and pleading. Early teasers hint at a sound that’s modern but never sterile, raw but never sloppy. The band’s signature energy is all over it, but the message is what sets it apart.
If you want to hear it live, mark your calendar for August 29th, 7pm ET. STRYKEN are set to perform “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” as part of their set at Immortal Fest Part 2, held at the BMI Event Center. Can’t make it in person? The good news: you can stream the show from anywhere. Single-day and three-day passes for the livestream are available, so you can catch their set without leaving your couch BMI Event Center.
It’s a perfect match. Immortal Fest is all about bands with a message, and STRYKEN’s new cover is tailor-made to get a festival crowd singing (and maybe thinking) along.
STRYKEN have always walked their own path. Known for blending hard rock with themes that hit home, they’ve never shied away from tough topics. This cover is more than a musical experiment — it’s a direct challenge to the way we live now. In a world where information moves at the speed of light and truth is often the first casualty, STRYKEN are reminding fans that music still has the power to ask the hard questions.
Let’s face it: the world doesn’t need another carbon-copy cover song. But what STRYKEN are doing is different. By rewriting the lyrics, they’re not just commenting on the present — they’re urging action. The call to “love our neighbor as ourselves” isn’t just a throwback; it’s a demand for empathy in the age of online rage.
It’s easy to feel powerless in the face of social media’s endless noise. STRYKEN’s version of “Grapevine” is a rallying cry: don’t just listen, act. Shut down the rumor mill. Step away from the drama. Remember the faces behind the usernames.
Fans expecting something tame can think again. STRYKEN go for broke, layering their signature hard rock edge over a classic melody. The result is a song that feels both familiar and brand new — urgent, hungry, and just a little bit dangerous.
Guitar solos snarl, drums thunder, and the vocals — raw, sometimes ragged, always honest — drive home the point. The production is tight, but never over-polished. There’s room for chaos, for real emotion, for the kind of catharsis you only get when a band is swinging for the fences.
The hype is already building, with fans and critics picking up on the band’s bold approach. Early reactions on social media have been overwhelmingly positive, with many praising the courage to update such a beloved song for today’s world. Rock fans love a good reinvention, and STRYKEN seem poised to deliver.
In a year packed with comebacks, reunions, and nostalgia tours, STRYKEN are doing something riskier — using a classic to hold up a mirror to the digital present. Their “Grapevine” isn’t just a cover. It’s a wake-up call, a challenge, and — if you’re willing to listen — maybe a little hope for a kinder, less toxic tomorrow.
If you stream one rock single this summer, make it this one. Just don’t believe everything you read on the grapevine.