Leonard Albert "Lenny" Kravitz (born May 26, 1964. New York, USA) is an Ame… Read Full Bio ↴Leonard Albert "Lenny" Kravitz (born May 26, 1964. New York, USA) is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, guitarist and actor whose retro amalgam of rock, pop, funk, and even techno is inspired by such music icons as David Bowie, Jimi Hendrix and John Lennon. Like Prince and Sly Stone before him, Kravitz uses a multi-ethnic, mixed-gender backing band.

Kravitz plays guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, percussion, and sitar. He often plays these instruments on each recorded track, but frequently collaborates with other musicians as well when recording.

His 1989 debut album Let Love Rule was a moderate success. In 1991 he released his second album, Mama Said, which reached the top 40 of the Billboard album charts. In 1993, the album Are You Gonna Go My Way was released, reaching #12 on the Billboard 200 and Kravitz earned a Brit Award for best international male artist in 1994. He released the Circus album in 1995, which reached number 10 on the Billboard chart on the back of his past achievement. With 5 (1999), Kravitz embraced digital technology such as Pro Tools and samplers for the first time. He would win the first of his four consecutive Grammy for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance at the Grammy Awards of 1999.

His cover version of The Guess Who's hit "American Woman" won him another Grammy for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance at the Grammy Awards of 2000. Kravitz released a Greatest Hits compilation in 2000. It proved to be his most successful album. The single "Again" would earn him his third consecutive Grammy for the Best Male Rock Vocal in the Grammy Awards of 2001. Kravitz released his sixth album Lenny in October 2001. He won his fourth consecutive Grammy for Best Male Rock Vocal at the Grammy Awards of 2002. Kravitz's seventh album Baptism was released in May 2004. His album, It Is Time For A Love Revolution was released in 2008. He has always edited his albums on Virgin Records America. The lead single from Kravitz’s ninth album, Black and White America, "Stand" was released on June 3, 2011. (Stand Songfacts).

He is the son of Ukrainian-Jewish American NBC television news producer Sy Kravitz, and Bahamian American actress Roxie Roker, best known as her character Helen Willis on the hit 1970s television sitcom The Jeffersons. Black and White America's title track is an autobiographical look back at his upbringing in New York. (Black and White America Songfacts).

Artist website: www.lennykravitz.com

Ascension
Lenny Kravitz Lyrics

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Brothers and sisters,
Everythings gonna be alright
We gonna be together in the moonlight
No more pain or strife or sorrow
It's a brand new day
You don't need no money
'Cause everything's free

Come with me baby,
'Cause it's been such a long long time
It's time for ascension
To be free, to be wild

Hey look at that smile
On that pretty girl's face
She got no positions,
But she's poised and has grace
It's an inner beauty thing baby,
That shines and shines
It ain't about your appearance
But the soul, the inside

So come with me baby,
'Cause it's been such a long long time
It's time for ascension
To be free, to be wild

Rise up, rise up
Get up, get up
Come on, come on

Come with me baby,
'Cause it's been such a long long time
It's time for ascension
To be free, to be wild
Come with me baby,
'Cause it's been such a long long time
It's time for ascension
To be free, to be wild
To be wild, to be wild,

To be free to be wide
Free.

Overall Meaning

The song "Ascension" by Lenny Kravitz is a hopeful and optimistic piece about leaving behind old pains and sorrows to embrace a new, better way of living. The opening lines, "Brothers and sisters, everything's gonna be alright," suggest a message of unity and togetherness, inviting listeners to believe in a brighter future. The lyrics go on to describe a world where everything is free and there is no need for money, where an inner beauty shines through rather than outer appearance. The song encourages listeners to rise up and join in this new way of living, to be free and wild and ascend to a better place.

Kravitz's use of the term "ascension" is significant. The word itself means to rise up or climb to a higher level, which fits with the song's overarching message of growth and evolution. In a spiritual context, "ascension" refers to an individual or group reaching a higher level of consciousness or enlightenment. This adds another layer to the lyrics, suggesting that the new way of living is not just about material possessions and physical freedom, but also about a deeper sense of spiritual fulfillment.

Overall, "Ascension" is a hopeful and inspiring song that encourages listeners to let go of their old ways and embrace a brighter future. The themes of unity, inner beauty, and spiritual growth are woven throughout the lyrics, creating a message that is both uplifting and thought-provoking.

Line by Line Meaning

Brothers and sisters,
Addressing the crowd and calling them all family

Everythings gonna be alright
Assuring everyone that everything will be alright

We gonna be together in the moonlight
Emphasizing that they will be together and enjoy the night

No more pain or strife or sorrow
Promising everyone that there will be no pain, struggle, or sadness

It's a brand new day
Announcing the start of a new day

You don't need no money
Saying that money is not necessary

'Cause everything's free
Everything is provided without cost

Come with me baby,
Inviting someone to join and come along

'Cause it's been such a long long time
It's been a long time since they've been together

It's time for ascension
It's time for spiritual or moral advancement

To be free, to be wild
To experience ultimate freedom and spontaneity