Lenny Kravitz (born May 26, 1964) is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, and arranger whose retro style incorporates elements of rock, soul, funk, reggae, hard rock, psychedelic, folk, and ballads.
Lenny Kravitz is one of the most notable rock-and-roll superstars to emerge in recent decades.
In this, he has been helped by his very distinctive music, which combines a richly layered sound with an eclectic mix of instruments including guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, harmonica, percussion, and violin.
He also uses various electronic devices such as samplers, synthesizers, and drum machines. His lyrics are often dark, introspective, and highly personal, dealing with themes such as love, sex, drugs, religion, politics, and death.
In addition to being a musician, Kravitz has worked as a film director, screenwriter, actor, and photographer.
He was nominated for two Academy Awards for Best Original Song Score and Adaptation or Original Song Score Written for Motion Picture, Television, or Other Visual Media (for “I Feel Love” from The Ides of March).
He has also won four Grammy Awards, all for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance. This makes him the artist with the most wins in this single category.
Kravitz has released 12 studio albums and enjoyed countless hits such as Fly Away and Are You Gonna Go My Way? We had a ball listening to his many hits while narrowing down our list of the best Lenny Kravitz songs.
With a music career spanning over four decades, Kravtiz’s repertoire is vast and highly impressive. But, he is far from finished! The multi-instrumentalist continues to release new songs almost every year to critical acclaim. Just like the man himself, his music does not age.
If there is one message that Kravitz wants to get across in his music, it is love. He writes about the ups and downs of life. Falling in love, falling out of love, losing loved ones, but continuing to live a free and happy life.
As a black musician walking on stage with an electric guitar, comparisons were quickly made between Kravitz and the rock n roll icon Jimi Hendrix. But, this self-styled rock star revitalized rock n roll when grunge was at the epicenter of popular music during the early 1990s.
Yes, he is influenced by Jimi Hendrix but Kravtiz is a unique, phenomenal musician in his own right.
His first album saw him draw influence from The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Al Green, and Curtis Mayfield with a focus on bringing rock n roll back to the masses.
And, that is exactly what he has achieved ever since.
Read On For Our List Of The Best Lenny Kravitz Songs
10. Superlove
There’s that theme of love that Lenny Kravitz so often refers to in his music. Our number 10 spot goes to the fantastic track Superlove.
Released on his 2011 album “Black and White America,” this was the fifth single off the record. While the album is full of epic guitar solos and great hooks, we feel Superlove was the highlight of the whole record.
It has a very funky element to it with hints of a 1970s sound. The dirty bass and guitar phaser are similar to Hendrix’s iconic guitar sound but there is no doubt that this song has all the hallmarks of Lenny Kravitz.
9. Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash was released on his 2018 album Raise Vibration and is a soulful and calming ballad. The acoustic is as tender as Kravitz’s vocals as he emotionally sings about needing the love and strength of the one he loves.
This song gets straight to the point. There is no intro as Kravitz enters the song with his vocals saying “I need your love.” He goes on to perform this beautifully written song that builds to a wonderfully emotional chorus that is both breathtaking and beautiful.
8. Again
AtT number eight we have one of Kravitz’s most famous songs. The ballad Again was part of his Greatest Hits album released on October 24, 2000.
To think that this came out over twenty years ago is a little mind-blowing and a testament to the longevity Kravitz has enjoyed in the music industry.
Amazingly, this sweet ballad was previously unreleased but luckily, either Kravitz or someone in his management saw the potential and released it as the only single for his Greatest Hits record.
Again went on to earn Lenny Kravitz a Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance in 2000 which is no surprise. His vocals are heartfelt and tender throughout making it another superb performance from the ultra-cool singer-songwriter.
7. Dig In
We’re sticking with the early 2000s with this next track, Dig In. From the slower tempo of Again, we jump to a more upbeat tune that offers the rock element that is synonymous with Kravitz’s music.
Released on his sixth studio album entitled “Lenny” in 2001, Dig In’s intro begins with a soulful rock n roll drumbeat that you can’t help but get up and move to. The whole groove of this song has Kravitz’s stamp on it as the drumbeat gives way to Lenny’s crunchy guitar sound.
With killer vocals and a 1960s-style arrangement and chord progression, you feel like this song has always been around and, after twenty years, it is certainly a timeless piece of music.
6. Let Love Rule
We’re stepping further back in time with this next. Let Love Rule is off Lenny’s first album also titled Let Love Rule. There’s that love theme again!
This was the stepping stone for Kravitz into the world of success so its importance can not be overlooked. And, most importantly, even after 32 years, this song with its genteel organ-filled sound and electrifying vocals still sounds as fresh as the day it was released.
5. Always On The Run
The more you listen to Lenny Kravitz, the more you get to hear the different styles and sounds he has made over the years. He can make sweet, mellow ballads and then kick the door down with a beastly, hard rock-n-roll tune. The latter is where Always On The Run steps in.
This track’s opening guitar riff is epic and gritty to its core. This is no wonder as the song features Guns N Rose guitarist Slash who co-wrote the song with Kravitz. (It’s collaborations like this that have contributed to Slash’s massive fortune)
This track was released on the album Mama Said in 1991 and is one of Lenny’s rockiest songs with a great guitar solo by Slash, a funky bass line, and a wonderfully funky horn section. Now we’re in the mood for a party!
4. American Woman
This is one of Kravitz’s most famous songs and a regular on radio stations for over 20 years after its release.
Made famous thanks to being on the soundtrack of the film Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, American Woman is actually a cover version. The original was written and performed by Guess Who in 1970.
We love both versions but Kravitz’s remake was done to perfection and didn’t change the core of this great song too much. It remains one to rock out to whenever you feel like letting your hair down.
3. Are You Gonna Go My Way?
We’re in the land of the biggest-selling singles from the world of Lenny Kravitz now. We know Kravitz has been heavily influenced by 1960s music but this song shows that more than most of his.
This song oozes style, charisma, and coolness. From his third studio album of the same name, radio stations devoured this song from the moment it was released and continue to do so today.
Are You Gonna Go My Way got to number one on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and has become one of the best classic rock tracks from the last 30 years with on of the best guitar licks in that time.
2. It Ain’t Over Till It’s Over
From channeling the 1960s with Are You Gonna Go My Way, we come to a song that saw Kravitz take inspiration from the 1970s.
It Ain’t Over Till It’s Over is a heartbreaking song from his album Mama Said in 1991. This smooth, soulful song became Lenny’s highest-charting single peaking at number two on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in 1991.
Just listening to this, you are transported to the mid-70s when ballads were dominating the charts.
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1. Fly Away
Perhaps his most famous song, this is another Lenny Kravitz song to rock out to. This has everything you want from a rock/pop song. Catchy choruses and chord progressions and a world-class vocal performance.
Fly Away became a massive hit for Kravitz after being released on his fifth studio album entitled “5.” Although it was the fourth single off the album, its universal message of wanting to get away and be free resonated with audiences around the world.
Fly Away is the perfect rock song that can be enjoyed by those who are not fans of rock. It has a great hook and still sounds fresh almost 30 years on.
Final Thoughts
Lenny Kravitz’s vast repertoire of music spans genres and showcases his immense talent as a songwriter and musician. From tender acoustic ballads to powerful guitar-driven anthems, his catalog offers a rich tapestry of musical brilliance.
While we’ve highlighted some of his standout tracks, we encourage you to delve deeper into Kravitz’s music archives. Within them, you’ll discover an abundance of hidden gems and further appreciate the artistry and depth that Lenny Kravitz has consistently brought to his craft.
So, embark on this musical exploration and uncover the diverse treasures that await, allowing yourself to fully immerse in the magic of Lenny Kravitz’s extraordinary musical ability.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lenny Kravitz
What are the greatest hits of Lenny Kravitz?
Some of Lenny Kravitz’s greatest hits include “Fly Away”, “Are You Gonna Go My Way”, “It Ain’t Over Til It’s Over”, “Let Love Rule”, and “American Woman”.
What is Lenny Kravitz’s best song?
This is subjective and varies based on individual preferences. However, “Fly Away” and “Are You Gonna Go My Way” are often regarded as some of Lenny Kravitz’s best songs.
What is “Let Love Rule” by Lenny Kravitz about?
“Let Love Rule” is a song by Lenny Kravitz that encourages people to let love guide their actions and decisions. The song also reflects Kravitz’s belief in the power of love to unite people of different backgrounds and cultures.
What is the genre of Lenny Kravitz’s music?
Lenny Kravitz’s music is a blend of various genres, including rock and roll, classic rock, R&B, and soulful ballads.
What is Lenny Kravitz’s most popular song?
Lenny Kravitz’s most popular song is “Fly Away”, which won a Grammy Award in 1999 for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance.
What is the guitar riff in “Are You Gonna Go My Way”?
The guitar riff in “Are You Gonna Go My Way” is one of the most recognizable riffs in rock and roll music. It was composed by Lenny Kravitz himself and is played on his signature Gibson Flying V guitar.
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