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
Hey Joe
Lenny Kravitz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I said hey dude joe, where you goin' with that gun in your hand
Going down to shoot my old lady
You know, I've caught her messin' around with another man
Yes I did
You know, I've caught her messin' around with another man
Hey joe, I said where you goin' with that gun in your hand
Hey joe, where you goin' with that gun in your hand
Yes I did
You know, I caught her messin' round man, messin' round town now
So I shot her!
I said hey joe, hey joe,
Where you goin' with that gun in your hand,
I said hey joe,
Where you goin' with that gun in your hand
I caught her messin' round, gonna messin' round town with another man yeah
I said hey joe, hey joe
Where you goin' with that gun in your hand
Hey joe, hey joe, where you goin' , haha-haha-haha
I've caught her messin' around with another man
I've caught her messin' around with another man
I said hey joe, hey joe, hey joe, hey joe, hey dude joe
I said hey hey joe, where you goin' with that gun in your hand
Hey joe, where you goin' with that gun in your hand, hand, hand
Hey joe, hey joe, hey joe, hey joe, hey joe, hey joe, hey haha
Hey joe, hey joe,
Yeah yeah yeah hey hey
Where you goin' with that gun in your hand,
Yeahhhhh, where you goin' with that gun in your hand
The song "Hey Joe" by Lenny Kravitz is a cover of a classic rock song originally written by Billy Roberts in the 1960s. The lyrics tell a story about a man named Joe who is going down to shoot his old lady because he caught her cheating with another man. The repeated questioning from the singer, "Hey Joe, where you goin' with that gun in your hand?" adds a sense of urgency and tension to the song, creating a feeling of unease and danger. The lyrics also suggest a possible motive for the murder, as the repeated reference to the woman's infidelity indicates that Joe is acting out of jealousy and anger.
The song's dark subject matter and blues-inspired sound have made it a classic rock standard, with covers by artists like Jimi Hendrix and The Who. Kravitz's version stays true to the original with its driving guitar and powerful vocals, adding his own signature rock style to the mix. The song's overall message about the destructive nature of jealousy and the consequences of acting on impulse resonates with listeners nearly 60 years after its original release.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey joe, where you goin' with that gun in your hand
Asking Joe where he's headed with the gun he's carrying
I said hey dude joe, where you goin' with that gun in your hand
Repeating the question for clarification purposes
Going down to shoot my old lady
Joe's intention to kill his wife
You know, I've caught her messin' around with another man
Joe's reason behind wanting to kill his wife
Yes I did
Emphasis on the fact that he caught her cheating
Gonna messin' round
Joe's wife was cheating
You know, I caught her messin' round man, messin' round town now
Further elaboration on the infidelity of Joe's wife
So I shot her!
Joe's violent solution to his marital problems
I said hey joe, hey joe,
Where you goin' with that gun in your hand,
I said hey joe,
Repeating the earlier question to emphasize the gravity of the situation
I caught her messin' round, gonna messin' round town with another man yeah
Reiteration of Joe's motive for his actions
Hey joe, hey joe
Where you goin' with that gun in your hand
Asking Joe again where he's headed with the gun
Hey joe, hey joe, where you goin' , haha-haha-haha
A mocking tone towards Joe's actions
I've caught her messin' around with another man
Reaffirmation of Joe's wife's infidelity
I said hey joe, hey joe, hey joe, hey joe, hey dude joe
Repeating the question in different variations
Hey hey joe, where you goin' with that gun in your hand
Yet another reiteration of the question
Hey joe, where you goin' with that gun in your hand, hand, hand
Emphasis on the gun in Joe's hand
Hey joe, hey joe, hey joe, hey joe, hey joe, hey joe, hey haha
Repeating the question again while laughing mockingly
Hey joe, hey joe,
Yeah yeah yeah hey hey
Where you goin' with that gun in your hand,
Yeahhhhh, where you goin' with that gun in your hand
Final repetition of the question with a sense of urgency and concern
Contributed by Samantha N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Nelson Riveros
It can not be compared with the version of Hendrix, but it is still amazing!
anita capilato
This man is pure talent and deserves such recognition..... absolutely love Lenny Kravitz. Watch his acoustic version of Fly Away on the beach ....what a 💎
Wayne Oost
Wow first time hearing this version and I give it a round of applause as it's quite good , I didn't know Lenny was a guitarist....
Robert Simpson
How could you not know Lenny Kravitz was a guitarist? You must have been living in a cave with no internet.
Diana kesl
Lenny playing this with Jeff Healy in 1993 was just mind blowing. He tore it up I'd say, hahaha!!! (25) Jeff Healy Band & Lenny Kravitz - Hey Joe (Live 1993) - YouTube
Ms. Dirty Bird
So much hate in the comments. I love Lenny Kravitz and for doing this! There is one Jimi Hendrix and one Lenny Kravitz. I'm enjoying it.
LLR kravitz
I Love it....Lenny is my
Hero!
TUCKER TRUCKER '18
Crazy I ran across this video. I was thinking that Kravitz is probably the Hendrix of his generation. Then I listen to this. Freaking awesome job. Proves me right.
Fish Nfool
That's pops chubby
Fish Nfool
You have not heard pops chubby play and sing hey joe