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
Magdalene
Lenny Kravitz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In her prime of life she was lean
And her only dream was to be on the silver screen
She hailed from north of Baltimore
Her mama says she'd end up a whore
And she spent up all her dough at the movie show
She's all go go go yeah yeah
She learned it all in magazines
She's Magdalene
Ain't it funny how the sun shines ?
She was only seventeen
She packed her bag and went to the scene
She said I'm gonna take on this town I'm gonna be the queen
She mingled like she'd been there before
She worked it till they hollered for more
Then she took off all her clothes
Now everybody knows
She's all go go go yeah yeah
She wears her pants on her hips too low
She learned it all in magazines
She's magdalene
Ain't it funny how the sun shines?
Oh no no, she's all go go go yeah yeah
She wears her pants on her hips too low
She learned it all in magazines
She's magdalene
Ain't it funny how the sun shines?
The lyrics to Lenny Kravitz's song Magdalene tell the story of a young woman named Magdalene. At only seventeen years old, she dreams of making it big in Hollywood and becoming a star on the silver screen. Despite her mother's warning that she will become a whore, Magdalene is determined to make her dream a reality and leaves her home in Baltimore to try her luck in the film industry. She quickly becomes a sensation, using her sexuality to get ahead, and eventually takes off her clothes for a role. The song describes the character of Magdalene as someone who relies on magazines to learn how to seduce men and gain success.
The lyrics, although seemingly straightforward, hold a deeper meaning. Magdalene, with her aspirations and work ethic, represents the American Dream - the concept of hard work, perseverance, and determination leading to success. However, the song also touches upon the darker side of the American Dream, as Magdalene uses her sexuality to get ahead and eventually becomes an objectified figure in the media. Kravitz's use of vivid imagery paints a clear picture of Magdalene's journey, highlighting the superficiality of Hollywood and the harsh realities of pursuing fame.
Line by Line Meaning
She was only seventeen
Magdalene was very young when she started pursuing her dream of becoming an actress.
In her prime of life she was lean
Magdalene was beautiful and slender, the perfect candidate for Hollywood.
And her only dream was to be on the silver screen
Magdalene had one goal in life- to become a movie star.
She hailed from north of Baltimore
Magdalene came from a town in the northern part of Baltimore.
Her mama says she'd end up a whore
Despite her daughter's ambition, Magdalene's mother was convinced that she would end up becoming a prostitute.
And she spent up all her dough at the movie show
Magdalene used up all her money to watch movies at the theatre, indicating her passion for acting.
She's all go go go yeah yeah
Magdalene was enthusiastic and energetic in her pursuit of her dream.
She wears her pants on her hips too low
Magdalene dressed in a manner common among young women of her generation, a symbol of her desire to fit in.
She learned it all in magazines
Magdalene learned about fashion, beauty, and Hollywood culture from reading magazines.
She's Magdalene
This is Magdalene's name, an identity she created for herself in her pursuit of fame.
Ain't it funny how the sun shines ?
The sun symbolizes the fleeting nature of fame; sometimes it shines bright, but eventually it sets.
She packed her bag and went to the scene
Magdalene left her town and went to Hollywood to pursue her dream of becoming an actress.
She said I'm gonna take on this town I'm gonna be the queen
Magdalene was confident in her ability to succeed and become the biggest star in town.
She mingled like she'd been there before
Magdalene was comfortable and confident in social situations, which helped her network and make connections in Hollywood.
She worked it till they hollered for more
Magdalene used her beauty and charm to win over directors and producers, ultimately grabbing their attention and earning more roles.
Then she took off all her clothes
Magdalene's willingness to use her body to get ahead is a clear indication of the darker side of Hollywood and the sacrifices people often make for fame.
Now everybody knows
Magdalene's overt sexuality and willingness to use her body made her a known figure in Hollywood.
Oh no no, she's all go go go yeah yeah
Magdalene continued to work hard and be energetic in her pursuit of fame.
Ain't it funny how the sun shines?
This line is repeated at the end of the song to remind the listener of the fleeting nature of fame and the fact that even those who reach the top may fall.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: LENNY KRAVITZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Paela Peterson
on American Woman
There's you some GUITAR!