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
Just Be A Woman
Lenny Kravitz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How should I be to you ?
You ask me
To tell you what to do
You ask me
How can I make it through ?
You want me
And I just want you to
Be true
Just be a woman
Just be a woman
You ask me
How can I make you smile ?
You ask me
How can I make it right ?
But darling
Just take a look inside
The answers are within your own mind
And I just want you to be you
Just be a woman
That's all you got to do
Just be a woman
Just be a woman
Do what you got to do
Just be a woman
That's all you got to do
Just be a woman
That's all I got to say
Just be a woman
In Lenny Kravitz's song "Just Be A Woman," the lyrics seem to be directed at a confused and insecure lover. The singer, who may be Kravitz himself, is being asked by this lover how they should behave, what they should do, and how they can make everything right. The singer responds by encouraging the lover to simply be true to themselves - to stop trying to be what someone else wants them to be, and to look inside themselves for the answers that they seek. The singer's repeated refrain of "just be a woman" reinforces this message, suggesting that the lover should simply embrace their identity as a strong and capable woman, without trying to be something else.
Throughout the song, Kravitz's vocal delivery is gentle and comforting, suggesting that he sincerely wants to help this person find their way. His lyrics are simple and straightforward, conveying a message that is at once empowering and compassionate. Rather than telling the lover what to do or how to behave, he suggests that they have the power within themselves to figure things out. The repetition of the phrase "just be a woman" is also significant, suggesting that there is a strength and resilience in being true to oneself and refusing to be anyone else's idea of what a woman should be.
Line by Line Meaning
You ask me
The person being addressed is asking for advice.
How should I be to you ?
Asking for guidance on how to behave in order to please the other person.
To tell you what to do
The other person wants the singer to give them directions.
How can I make it through ?
Asking for help to overcome a problem or struggle.
You want me
The person being addressed is wanted by the other person.
But don't know what to do
The person who wants the other doesn't know how to proceed.
And I just want you to
The singer only desires one thing from the other person.
Be true
To be honest and genuine.
Just be a woman
The artist is calling for the person being addressed to embrace their femininity.
How can I make you smile ?
Asking for advice on how to bring a smile to the other person's face.
How can I make it right ?
Asking for guidance on how to fix a situation or relationship.
But darling
A term of endearment for the other person.
Just take a look inside
The singer is advising the other person to reflect on themselves.
The answers are within your own mind
The solutions to the problems are already known by the other person.
And I just want you to be you
The singer desires for the other person to be themselves.
Do what you got to do
The artist is giving permission for the other person to do what they need to do.
That's all you got to do
A simple message that doing what is needed is enough.
That's all I got to say
The singer has conveyed their message and has nothing more to add.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Lenny Kravitz
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Paela Peterson
on American Woman
There's you some GUITAR!