Cat Stevens (now Yusuf Islam) penned “Peace Train,” an earnest folk anthem whose message of unity and optimism resonated in an era of great societal and political upheaval. More than fifty years later, Alexander Cardinale breathes new life into the classic, delivering a new take that strips back the original’s stylized production to a more minimalist approach, while adding a driving rhythmic urgency to its chorus. This lighter vocal approach should connect with contemporary audiences, and in a time of deep cultural divisions, the message of this modern version of “Peace Train” remains as necessary as ever.
Cardinale’s recording departs from the lush, orchestral arrangement of the 1971 original, instead opting for a more unadorned production. His subdued vocal delivery, bordering on the stylistic tendencies of indie and lo-fi pop, should attract younger listeners accustomed to the quiet introspection of artists like Bon Iver or Sufjan Stevens. While Stevens’ version felt like a gentle call to arms, inviting listeners aboard an inevitable journey toward harmony, Cardinale’s interpretation is starker, as if aware that peace in 2025 is a more fragile concept.
This version, however, is not without its emotional peaks. The chorus swells with a percussive urgency, a notable contrast to the song’s otherwise restrained atmosphere. It’s an effective choice—one that mirrors the turbulence of our times. Cardinale’s “Peace Train” doesn’t sound like a given; it’s something that must be fought for, chased down, and held onto.
If 1971 was marked by Vietnam protests and cultural shifts, 2025 is no less chaotic. Political divides, global conflicts, and the lingering societal effects of a pandemic have left many yearning for something as simple—and as radical—as hope. The power of “Peace Train” has always been in its universality; it is both an anthem and a plea, a song that calls for collective movement rather than individual enlightenment.
Cardinale himself understands the weight of personal trials. His return to music follows an extraordinary personal saga—a mistaken IVF mix-up that led to his newborn daughter being genetically unrelated to him or his wife. Rather than retreat into bitterness, he and his family chose unity, blending lives with another family in an unimaginable situation. This lived experience gives his version of “Peace Train” an authenticity that goes beyond a simple cover—it is a reflection of his own journey toward peace.
The modern music landscape is saturated with cover versions, many of which range from uninspired cash grabs to transformative reinterpretations. A recent version of Shania Twain’s “You’re Stil The One” by Connie Talbot and Boyce Avenue provides a refreshing take on the song, while Ed Sheeran’s cover of Coldplay’s “Yellow” is mesmerizing. Cardinale’s “Peace Train” falls somewhere in between—it respects the original but introduces a contemporary sensibility without reinventing it entirely.
In an era where nostalgia is currency, Cardinale’s “Peace Train” is a timely reminder that some messages never lose their relevance. While it is a quieter version of Stevens’ folk optimism, its intensity suggests that peace is not just a destination, it’s a pursuit.
Chadwick Easton