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
Bank Robber Man
Lenny Kravitz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just as somebody blew the doors off of the be of A
Just then I head them call my name
As I was thrown against the car
I was being framed
All units we've got our man
We've got the bank robber man
You're going in the can
You look like the bank robber man
I think you misunderstand
Do you think that I am the one that did it
Just because I'm tan?
Just then the officer at hand said
I don't give a damn that you are in a rock and roll band
All units we've got our man
We've got the bank robber man
We don't need no reason
You're going in the can
You look like the bank robber man
Just tell me what's going on ?
Can you tell me what I did wrong ?
Does busting me make you feel strong ?
Make you feel strong
All units we've got our man
We've got the bank robber man
We don't need no reason
You're going in the can
You look like the bank robber man
The lyrics to Lenny Kravitz's song "Bank Robber Man" depict a scenario where the singer is walking down the street and witnesses a bank robbery taking place. Suddenly, the police arrive and accuse him of being the bank robber due to his appearance, despite him claiming his innocence. The police officer dismisses his claims, stating that his occupation as a rock star does not exempt him from the law. The song highlights the issue of racial profiling and police brutality towards minorities, especially black people. The singer is being targeted not because of any concrete evidence but simply because of the color of his skin.
The lines "We don't need no reason/ You're going in the can/ You look like the bank robber man" suggests that the police are not interested in the truth but are rather fixated on arresting someone at any cost. This is further emphasized in the lines' "Just tell me what's going on?/ Can you tell me what I did wrong?/ Does busting me make you feel strong?/ Make you feel strong," where the singer is left feeling bewildered and helpless as he is being falsely accused.
Overall, the song is a commentary on the issue of racial profiling and police brutality, and how innocent people can fall victim to these injustices due to their ethnicity.
Line by Line Meaning
I was walking down the street today
I was simply strolling around town
Just as somebody blew the doors off of the bank of A
Just then, there was a loud noise from the bank of America
Just then I head them call my name
At the same time, I heard someone calling my name
As I was thrown against the car
Without any explanation, I was pushed against the nearby car
I was being framed
I was being set up for something I didn't do
All units we've got our man
The police got hold of someone they assumed is the suspect
We've got the bank robber man
They believed that this person committed the robbery
We don't need no reason
The police have no valid reason to arrest him
You're going in the can
Regardless of any evidence, he is being taken into custody
You look like the bank robber man
His appearance made him look like the person who robbed the bank
I think you misunderstand
I'm being wrongly accused
Do you think that I am the one that did it
Do you have any proof that I committed the crime?
Just because I'm tan?
Is it because of my skin color?
Just then the officer at hand said
At that moment, the officer in charge spoke up
I don't give a damn that you are in a rock and roll band
I don't care if you're famous, you're not above the law
Just tell me what's going on ?
Please inform me of what is happening
Can you tell me what I did wrong ?
Can you explain what I did that was illegal?
Does busting me make you feel strong ?
Does arresting me make you feel powerful?
Make you feel strong
Is this the only way you feel in control?
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: LENNY KRAVITZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Paela Peterson
on American Woman
There's you some GUITAR!