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
Johnny Cash
Lenny Kravitz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I need your strength to make me great
I've been so wrong
Am I too late?
Just hold me like Johnny Cash
When I lost my mother
Whisper in my ear
And though I fight these tears that I hide
Just hold me tight for the rest of my life
I need your mind to understand
I need your soul, it makes me a better man
With you by my side
I'd have a chance
Just hold me like Johnny Cash
When I lost my mother
Whisper in my ear
Just like June Carter
And though I fight these tears that I hide
Just hold me tight for the rest of my life
With you by my side
I'd have a chance
Just hold me like Johnny Cash
When I lost my mother
Whisper in my ear
Just like June Carter
And though I fight these tears that I hide
Just hold me tight for the rest of my life
Oh, Johnny Cash
Well, well, well, well
The lyrics of Lenny Kravitz's song "Johnny Cash" express the depth of the singer's need for love, understanding, and strength. The singer appears to be reflecting on his mistakes and the weight of his burdens, and he seeks the embrace of his lover as a source of comfort and inspiration. The lyrics specifically reference Johnny Cash, the legendary American singer-songwriter known for his distinctive voice, outlaw image, and songs about love, loss, and redemption. The singer compares the way he wants to be held by his lover to the way Johnny Cash and his wife June Carter Cash held each other.
The reference to Johnny Cash and his relationship with June Carter Cash might symbolize the ideal of a strong, enduring, supportive, and loving partnership that the singer desires. Holding someone tight and whispering in their ear could represent an intimate, affectionate, and reassuring gesture that communicates love, empathy, and understanding. The lyrics also suggest that tears and vulnerability are not signs of weakness but natural expressions of emotion that can be validated and comforted by a compassionate and caring partner.
Overall, the song "Johnny Cash" is a poignant and heartfelt tribute to the power of love and the human need for connection and empathy. The use of the iconic figures of Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash adds a historical and cultural resonance to the lyrics and reinforces the message of the song about the endurance of love and the healing capacity of tenderness.
Line by Line Meaning
I need you love in every way
I need your love in all aspects of life
I need your strength to make me great
I need your support to help me become a better person
I've been so wrong
I have made a lot of mistakes
Am I too late?
Is it too late for me to make things right?
Just hold me like Johnny Cash
Hold me tight like Johnny Cash did for his loved ones
When I lost my mother
During a time of grief when I lost my mother
Whisper in my ear
Speak softly to give me comfort
Just like June Carter
Like June Carter did for Cash, show me unconditional love and support
And though I fight these tears that I hide
Despite my attempt to hold back my tears
Just hold me tight for the rest of my life
Stay by my side and comfort me for the rest of my life
I need your mind to understand
I need your intellect and comprehension to understand life
I need your soul, it makes me a better man
Your spirit elevates me and makes me a better person
With you by my side I'd have a chance
If you are with me, I would have an opportunity for success
Well, well, well, well
An expression of contentment or satisfaction
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Lenny Kravitz
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lenny Kravitz Fans Mx
[Acoustic Guitar]
I need you love .. in every way
I need your strength .. to make me great
I've been so wrong .... am I too laaaaate?
[Chorus]
Just hold me like Johnny Cash
When I lost my mother
Whisper in my ear
Just like June Carter (Oh ..Oh!)
And thoooouuugh .. I fight .. these tears ..that I hide
Just hold .. me tight
for the rest of my life
I need your mind .. to understand
I need your soul
It makes me a better man
With you by my side
I'd have a .. chaaaance
[Chorus]
Just hold me like Johnny Cash
When I lost my mother
Whisper in my ear
Just like June Carter (Oh ..Oh!)
And thoooouuugh .. I fight .. these tears ..that I hide
Just hold .. me tight
for the rest of my life
Mmmm .... Yeaaahh!!
With you by my side
I'd have a chaaaance
Just hold me like Johnny Cash
When I lost my mother
Whisper in my ear
Just like June Carter (Oh ..Oh!)
And thoooouuugh .. I fight .. these tears ..that I hide
Just hold .. me tight
for the rest of my life
[Acoustic Music ends]
TheMel0mano19
Lyrics
I need you love in every way
I need your strength to make me great
I've been so wrong
Am I too late?
Just hold me like Johnny Cash
When I lost my mother
Whisper in my ear
Just like June Carter
And though I fight these tears that I hide
Just hold me tight for the rest of my life
I need your mind to understand
I need your soul, it makes me a better man
With you by my side
I'd have a chance
Just hold me like Johnny Cash
When I lost my mother
Whisper in my ear
Just like June Carter
And though I fight these tears that I hide
Just hold me tight for the rest of my life
With you by my side
I'd have a chance
Just hold me like Johnny Cash
When I lost my mother
Whisper in my ear
Just like June Carter
And though I fight these tears that I hide
Just hold me tight for the rest of my life
Songwriter: Lenny Kravitz
Priscilla Brink
This man never goes wrong, love he's music so much, so melodic and beautiful everytime 😍😍😍
Kravitz junior
Ele é Deus!
Seckin Serce
This man never gets old
Dave Rietdijk
This style is typical Lenny Kravitz. Real music, real artist!No auto tune shit etc. Love it! Great song!! Thanks Lenny🤙🏽
Wildflower Basia
@jayandgem your lame
Irene Mulindwairen
@jayandgem
That's abit harsh.
Manuela Palmero
I love his soul. His music gets deep in my heart.
paul singleton
So deep and emotional it touches the soul! Music is the best therapy. Thank you, Lenny Kravitz!
Jaynett
This is one of Lenny songs that will be around for decades. I really really love how calm and soothing Lenny sounds.. Every word and breath is detailed and precise. Please do not let anyone remix it.
Andrea Brigitte Prohaska
I lost my dad in same age as Lenny...this christmas 20yrs ago. This song comforted me through the dark years 🌹