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
Rock & Roll Is Dead
Lenny Kravitz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But you know it's really over
Runnin' round with diamond rings
And coke spoons that are overflowin'
Rock an Roll is dead
But all the money in the world
Can't buy you from the place you're going to
Rock an Roll is dead
Rock an Roll is dead
Rock an Roll is dead
You can't even sing or play an instrument
So you just scream instead
You're living for an image
So you got five hundred women in your bed
Rock an Roll is dead
But it's real hard to be yourself
When you're living with those demons
In your head
Rock an Roll is dead
Rock an Roll is dead
Rock an Roll is dead
Rock an Roll is dead
Rock an Roll is dead
Rock an Roll is dead
Rock an Roll is dead
Rock an Roll is dead
In "Rock & Roll Is Dead," Lenny Kravitz criticizes the state of the music industry in the late 90s. He observes that many musicians have lost sight of the spirit of rock and roll and instead focus solely on fame, fortune, and excess. The lyrics describe a typical rock star lifestyle of drugs and groupies, but Kravitz suggests that these things are ultimately unfulfilling and don't make up for the lack of authenticity in their art.
Kravitz emphasizes this point by repeating the refrain "Rock and Roll is dead." He suggests that the genre has lost its power and that those who claim to be part of it are simply going through the motions. He also notes that money can't save them from the inevitable consequences of their lifestyle, and that they're headed towards a darker place.
Overall, "Rock & Roll Is Dead" is a commentary on the state of music and the pitfalls of fame. It's a call for musicians to return to the authentic spirit of rock and roll, rather than being seduced by the trappings of success.
Line by Line Meaning
You think you're on top of the world
You may believe that you have everything under control and are at the peak of your career.
But you know it's really over
But deep down you understand that it is all slipping away from you.
Runnin' round with diamond rings
You're spending money on extravagant and ostentatious items to appear rich and successful.
And coke spoons that are overflowin'
You're indulging in a decadent and depraved lifestyle that involves drugs and excess.
Rock an Roll is dead
The genre of rock and roll music has lost its authenticity and soulfulness.
But all the money in the world
However, no amount of wealth or riches can prevent the inevitable decline that you're headed towards.
Can't buy you from the place you're going to
It is impossible to purchase your way out of the dark path of self-destruction that you're on.
You can't even sing or play an instrument
Your lack of talent and ability to perform music is evident and noticeable to others.
So you just scream instead
You compensate for your deficiencies by loudly and aggressively projecting yourself onto others.
You're living for an image
You're relying on your outward appearance and superficial characteristics to define who you are.
So you got five hundred women in your bed
You use sex and promiscuity as a means of validating your ego and asserting your dominance over others.
But it's real hard to be yourself
It becomes increasingly challenging to stay true and genuine to your own identity as you become more consumed with your public persona.
When you're living with those demons
Your mind is haunted by a sense of inner turmoil and psychological distress that you cannot escape.
In your head
These demons exist only in your own psyche, and they cannot be erased through external means or superficial distractions.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: LENNY KRAVITZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@saidoterodiseno
This is like the perfect paradox, singing Rock'n Roll is dead while playing a beast rock riff.
@ericgelders
Haha, thought of sth similar: Rocking out while declaring it dead!
@Balitoc
That opening riff, Living Loving Maid comes to mind.... homage or a borrow from Zeppelin?
@melinalinson8812
Well it definitely is dead now.
@melinalinson8812
@@Balitoc Led Zeppelin stole from plenty of others.
@paj81
@@melinalinson8812 Mainly from contemporary blues musician.
@schneckenwerk4567
Great drums, great guitars, great bass, great vocals.
@CNVRSKDAJW
Lenny Kravitz ... this is the Most Underrated and Under Appreciated Absolute Cut of his Entire Career!
(I Lose My Mind when I Turn this Up)
@literallyunderrated
Literally underrated
@msperry1719
Facts