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
New York City
Lenny Kravitz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everybody's moving fast
Uptown, downtown, what's your thing?
She can take what she can bring
She gave me a life
Came up through the inner city
She raised me up and taught me to fight, yeah
I got to the knitty gritty
The greatest time that you'll ever find
She is my heart
I love New York City
She's lived and died
So many times, yeah!
Life is always tough
On New York City, oh lord
But she is fine, she always survives, yeah!
She's a queen that stands her ground
Nobody can take her down
Good times, bad times, she can swang
And did anyone a thang
She is a rock
As we pull but she is steady
And no one can take her freedom away, yeah
(Can't take her freedom)
I love her style
Whether she is clean or dirty
She's the greatest town that you'll ever find, yeah!
She is my heart
I love New York City
She's lived and died
So many times, yeah!
Life is always tough
On New York City, oh lord
But she is fine, she always survives, yeah!
You know she's my heart
I really love New York City
She's lived and died so many times
You know life can be real tough
On my New York City
But she's fine, she always survives
Yeah!
She is my heart
I love New York City
She's lived and died
So many times, oh yeah!
Life is always tough
On New York City, oh lord
But she is fine, she always survives, yeah
She is my heart
I love New York City
She's lived and died
So many times, oh yeah!
Life is always tough
On New York City, oh lord
But she is fine, she always survives, oh yeah
Let's hear it for New York City
New York City
In "New York City," Lenny Kravitz speaks of his deep love and admiration for the Big Apple. He describes the fast-moving energy of the city, including the bright lights of Broadway and the constant flow of yellow taxi cabs. Kravitz acknowledges the city's various neighborhoods, from uptown to downtown, and admires its diverse population. He explains how the city shaped him as a person, highlighting the rough nature of the inner city and his struggle through it. But, ultimately, Kravitz praises the city's resilience and ability to survive through tough times.
Kravitz conjures up a powerful image of New York as a queen who stands her ground and cannot be taken down. She has a strength and stability, even through tough times, that is unmatched by any other city. The lyrics capture the essence of what it means to love and embrace a city that has been a symbol of American culture for over a century. It's a song that speaks to anyone who has ever experienced the energy, the vibrancy and the toughness of New York, and who understands that it is an extraordinary place that always survives.
Overall, "New York City" is a beautiful tribute to the city that never sleeps. It captures the soul and spirit of the city, and the lyrics remind us of the resilience, toughness, and strong spirit of New York through the ages.
Line by Line Meaning
Broadway lights and taxi cabs
The city is constantly moving and full of life, with bright lights and busy streets.
Everybody's moving fast
The people of New York City are always in a hurry, rushing to get to their destination.
Uptown, downtown, what's your thing?
New York City has something to offer everyone, regardless of their interests or lifestyle.
She can take what she can bring
The city can handle anything that comes its way, and is resilient in the face of challenges.
She gave me a life
New York City has played a significant role in shaping the artist's identity and experiences.
Came up through the inner city
The artist grew up in the more urban and densely populated areas of the city, which impacted his upbringing and worldview.
She raised me up and taught me to fight, yeah
The city taught the artist to be strong and resilient, and to face challenges head-on.
She opened my mind
New York City has a diverse and vibrant culture that has expanded the artist's perspective and worldview.
I got to the knitty gritty
The artist has experienced the raw and unfiltered aspects of city life.
The greatest time that you'll ever find
The artist considers his time in New York City to be the most significant and memorable experience of his life.
She's lived and died
The city has undergone significant changes and challenges throughout its history.
So many times, yeah!
New York City has experienced numerous cycles of growth and decline, but has always managed to bounce back.
Life is always tough
Living in New York City can be difficult and challenging due to its fast pace and constant change.
But she is fine, she always survives, yeah!
Despite its difficulties, New York City remains strong and resilient in the face of adversity.
She's a queen that stands her ground
New York City is a powerful and influential city that has a strong presence and influence on the world stage.
Nobody can take her down
The city's resilience and strength cannot be destroyed or conquered by external forces.
Good times, bad times, she can swang
New York City is able to adapt and thrive regardless of the economic or political climate.
And did anyone a thang
New York City has made significant contributions to culture and society, and has influenced countless artists and creatives.
She is a rock
New York City is a constant and stable force that remains strong and unwavering, despite external pressures or changes.
As we pull but she is steady
The city remains unshakeable and unmovable, even as external forces try to influence or impact it.
And no one can take her freedom away, yeah
New York City's identity and spirit cannot be conquered or restrained by external forces.
I love her style
The artist appreciates the unique and diverse culture of New York City.
Whether she is clean or dirty
New York City can be both beautiful and gritty, but maintains its unique style and identity through all its transitions.
She's the greatest town that you'll ever find, yeah!
New York City is an unparalleled and exceptional city that has a vibrant and diverse culture.
You know life can be real tough
The artist acknowledges the challenging and difficult aspects of living in New York City.
On my New York City
The artist has a personal and emotional connection to the city that is meaningful and significant to him.
Let's hear it for New York City
The artist celebrates and honors New York City, recognizing its exceptional culture and its impact on his life.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CRAIG DAVID ROSS, LENNY KRAVITZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Miller Grawn
Broadway lights in taxi cabs
Everybody is moving fast
Uptown Downtown
What's your fame
She can take what you can bring
She gave me a light
Came up to the inner city
She raise me up
And taught me to fight
Yeah
She opens my mind
I got to the late great day
The greatest town that you'll ever find
She's my heart
I love New York City
She's leaving down so many time
Yeah
Life is always tough
On New York City
Oh lord
But she's fine, she always survives
Yeah
She's the queen
And stands her ground
Nobody can take her down
Good time, bad time she can swine
Ended any but a vibe
She's a rock
As...
And no one can take her freedom away
Can take her freedom
I love her style
Whatever she's clean or dirty
She's the greatest town that you'll ever find
She's my heart
I love New York City
She's leaving down so many time
Yeah
Life is always tough
On New York City
Oh lord
But she's fine, she always survives
Yeah
You know she's my heart
I really love New York City
She's lived and died so many times
You know life can be real tough
On my real city
But she's fine, she always survives
Yeah
She's my heart
I love New York City
She's leaving down so many time
Yeah
Life is always tough
On New York City
Oh lord
But she's fine, she always survives
Oh yeah
She's my heart
I love New York City
She's leaving down so many time
Yeah
Life is always tough
On New York City
Oh lord
But she's fine, she always survives
Oh yeah
Let's sing for New York City
Oh New York City
New York City
New York
New York
New York
New York City
Hey New York City
New York
New York
New York
Let's sing for New York City
Альберт Х
[Verse 1]
Broadway lights and taxi cabs
Everybody's moving fast
Uptown, down town, what's ya thing?
She can take what she can't bring
She gave me a lot
Came up through the inner city
She raised me up
And taught me to fight, yeah
She opened my mind
I got to the nitty gritty
The greatest town that you'll ever find
[Hook]
She is my heart
I love, New York city
She's lived and died, so many times, yeah
Life is always tough on New York City, oh Lord
But she is fine, she always survives, yeah
[Verse 2]
She's a queen that stands her ground
Nobody can take her down
Good times, bad times, she can swang
And it ain't even a thang
She is a rock
As regal as she is sturdy
And no one can take her freedom away, yeah
(Can't take her freedom)
I love her style
Whether she is clean or dirty
She's the greatest town that you'll ever find
[Hook]
She is my heart
I love, New York city
She's lived and died, so many times, yeah
Life is always tough on New York City, oh Lord
But she is fine, she always survives, yeah
[Verse 3]
You know she's my heart
I really love New York City
She's lived and died, so many times
You know life can be real tough
On my New York city
But she's fine, she always survives
[Hook]
She is my heart
I love, New York City
She's lived and died, so many times, yeah
Life is always tough on New York City, oh Lord
But she is fine, she always survives, yeah
She is my heart
I love, New York City
She's lived and died, so many times, yeah
Life is always tough on New York City, oh Lord
But she is fine, she always survives, yeah
[Outro]
Let's hear it for New York City
Oh, New York city
New York city
New York city
(New York, New York)
New York city
New York city
(New York, New York)
Let's hear it for New York City
_volta
This guy always gets me in a good mood!
Farit Swett
Que buena musica, que buena cancion, que buen video! Un himno! Maestro Lenny gracias totales!
Lucia Bini
A great man, musician and unique rocker.... He's always in my ordinary life.... I really appreciate him❤️
Lenny Kravitz
Thank you for your love and support towards my career..
Keep supporting ❤️❤️❤️
Gabriel Duarte
ótima musica !
romario ayalíño
Como siempre un gran trabajo de lenny kravitz K buena canción y el video esta muy bueno
Solange
Me encanta la energía de este hombre!!! 💃💃💃
Jodie Schickerling
Can't get enough of this song!
Juan carlos Arboleda
Espectacular canción gracias gracias gracias Lenny Kravitz desde Medellín Colombia te sigo 🇨🇴🇨🇴🇨🇴🇨🇴🇨🇴🇨🇴🇨🇴🇨🇴🇨🇴🇨🇴🇨🇴🇨🇴
PELİN BAYKAL
With this song I'm definitely getting my daily dose of Lenny Kravitz❤💫👑