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Our top 10 Lenny Kravitz songs list looks back at the career of a brilliant artist whose music was inspired by almost all styles of music form the 1960s and 70s. Blending elements of rock and roll, r&b, soul and just about everything else, Lenny Kravitz developed a distinctive sound led by his killer vocals and equally dynamic guitar playing. However, his talents do not end with his performance skills. Lenny Kravitz has proved to be just as brilliant of a songwriter as he is a musician. That combination has led to a body of work defined by many great albums and singles.
Lenny Kravitz released his first album in 1989 entitled Let Love Rule. His debut album was followed up two years later with an even stronger effort called Mama Said. As with many great artists Lenny Kravitz’s third album topped his first two when he released an album in 1993 that many feel was his best called Are You Gonna Go My Way. His fourth album titled Circus did not do as well as his first three. However, in 1998 he came roaring back with a great album called 5. Since them he has released six more albums. These wold include Lenny (2001), Baptism (2004), It Is Time for a Love Revolution (2008), Black and White America (2011), Strut (2014) and Raise Vibration (2018).
# 10 – Superlove
We open up our to 10 Lenny Kravitz songs list with the great track “Superlove.” The song was released on the album Black and White America. The album was released in 2011. “Superlove,” was the fifth single released from the record. A fact that confuses us a bit, because we think it was the best song on the record.
# 9 – Again
One of Lenny Kravitz’s most popular songs is the great ballad “Again.” The song was released on his greatest hits album entitled Lenny Kravitz Greatest Hits that was released twenty years ago which kind of blows our mind. The song was previously unreleased and served as the only single released from the greatest hits package which kind of made sense. The song was a huge success for Lenny Kravitz as it won him a Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance in 2000.
# 8 – Johnny Cash
The most recent Lenny Kravitz released song to appear on this top 10 Lenny Kravitz songs list is the tender and soulful ballad called “Johnny Cash.” A brilliantly written and performed song, the track was released on the album Raise Vibration. The album was released in 2018. Lenny gets right to the point on this one as the vocal begins on the song’s first beat. This one is emotional as the chorus is simply breathtakingly beautiful.
# 7 – Let Love Rule
As we continue this top 10 Lenny Kravitz songs list we transition from one of his most recent songs in “Johnny Cash,” to his first big time song released on his first album entitled Let Love Rule. There is just simply no way we could compose a top 10 Lenny Kravitz songs list without including his first hit “Let Love Rule.” It still sounds just as good in 2020 as it did in 1989.
# 6 – Dig In
It’s fun to jump around in time on this Lenny Kravitz songs lists as we now skip from 1989 all the way to 2001 and Lenny’s sixth album titled Lenny. The song’s intro starts out with that great soulful rock and roll drum groove that gives way to the traditional crunchy Lenny Kravitz guitar sound. The song explodes all over the place with Lenny’s killer vocals and 60s style chord changes. This is a great one called “Dig In.”
# 5 – American Woman
Yes, we all know that this is a classic song from The Guess Who. However, Lenny Kravitz did such a great job on this remake. The song was such a big hit we had to include it on this Lenny Kravitz songs list. “America Woman,” was released in 1999 on the Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me soundtrack. Additionally, the video that features Heather Graham is one of those videos that we will never get tired of watching….Yeah Baby!
# 4 – Always On The Run
What we have always loved about Lenny Kravitz is how he could sound like two completely different artists when he shifts from a ballad to an all out rocker. The opening guitar riff on this one just knocks you out instantly. The song features Guns N’ Roses’s legendary guitarist Slash. Both Slash and Lenny Kravitz wrote the song. It was released on the album Mama Said. Listen to that great guitar solo by Slash two minutes into the song. And oh man just dig those funky horns. One of Lenny’s greatest songs. Love it!
# 3 – Fly Away
We are going to hit up two more rockers in this Lenny Kravitz songs list before we get to number one. In the number three spot we present the great track “Fly Away.” The song was a huge hit for Lenny Kravitz in 1998. The song was released on Lenny Kravitz’s fifth album entitled 5. The song was released as the fourth single from the record, but it was easily the most successful single released from the album.
# 2 – Are You Gonna Go My Way
If ever there was a song in which Lenny Kravitz channeled the 1960s, it was his smoking track “Are You Gonna Go My Way.” The song was released on Lenny Kravitz’s third album also titled Are You Gonna Go My Way. Album oriented radio ate this one up as the song hit number one on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock tracks charts. The song was written by Lenny Kravitz and his guitarist Crag Ross. This is easily one of the best classic rock style tracks of the past thirty years.
# 1 – It Ain’t Over Til It’s Over
In the same way Lenny Kravitz channeled the 1960s with “Are You Gonna Go My Way,” Kravitz channeled the 1970s with this heart breaking soulful r&b tune “It Ain’t Over Til It’s Over.” The song was released on the Lenny Kravitz album titled Mama Said! The song “It Ain’t Over Til It’s Over,” would become the highest charting single of Lenny Kravitz’s career peaking at number two on the US. Billboard Hot 100 in 1991.
![Rob De Luca of Spread Eagle, Sebastian Bach & UFO: 10 Albums That Changed My Life From humble East Coast origins to grandest stages worldwide, veteran bassist Rob De Luca has seen and done it all. De Luca first hit the local Boston rock and metal scene in the late 80s after meeting guitarist Paul DiBartolo, bonding over Van Halen before forming Bang. Regional success came quickly, but eventually, the members of Bang went their separate ways, with De Luca and drummer Tommi Gallo heading to NYC and hooking up with Ray West and, later, DiBartolo to form Spread Eagle. By 1990, Spread Eagle was on the fast track, with a contract through MCA Records and a self-titled debut album poised to crush skulls. But poor timing and MCA's sad indifference left Spead Eagle out in the cold despite being a hard-boiled answer to Guns N' Roses's West Coast sleaze. Spread Eagle's first chapter came to an end in '95. As for Rob De Luca, his nimble fingers and gift for melody and songwriting kept him moving forward. Soon, he found a gig with former Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach and the legendary outfit UFO. And in 2010, after coupling up with Ray West and his cousin Rik De Luca, Spread Eagle retook flight. During a break from Spread Eagle's increasingly busy touring schedule, Rob De Luca dialed in with ClassicRockHistory.com to run through the ten albums that changed his life. But only after adding, "I made a playlist of these songs, including some I've written or co-written. Do you hear any of these albums' influence on me?" Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3LWJuhDrE8JmzhsmTeIDUq 10) Gentlemen by Afghan Whigs (1993) Here's an entry that was so important to me. This may be the darkest break-up album of all time. Greg Dulli has been in many projects, but I feel Gentlemen is his zenith. Somewhat undefinable at times but always profound and honest. Listen to "Gentlemen," "Fountain and Fairfax," and "What Jail Is Like." 9) In on the Kill Taker by Fugazi (1993) By this time, I had been sucked in and spit out by the major-label record industry. Glam came and went; grunge was history, too. I was searching for new sounds. When I heard Fugazi's twin guitar approach, I knew this was what was missing. Fugazi may be considered a less polished sound than the albums above; however, once you "get it," it hits you like a ton of bricks, and there's no going back. From the moment I heard Fugazi, I went to every NYC show after. It's easily some of the best concerts of my life, and possibly my favorite bassist in Joe Lally. And their DIY ethics refused to charge us more than $5 a show! In on the Kill Taker is a powerful album demonstrated in songs such as "Smallpox Champion," "Great Cop," and "Public Witness Program." 8) Appetite for Destruction by Guns N' Roses (1987) I discovered many of these albums (sometimes long) after they were released. However, I was at the right place at the right time for this one. Steve Ostromogilsky had a Berklee College of Music lunch card and used to sneak out sandwiches for me. One day, he invited me to hang out at his place and listen to music. As we got off the train, he put Sony Walkman headphones on my ears and said, "Hey, check out this brand-new group." A song like "It's So Easy" was so different from the popular Sunset Strip sound at that time. Me and about 499 other informed rockers were lucky enough to see them on their first East Coast tour at the sold-out Paradise on Commonwealth Avenue, Boston (the same street Aerosmith started on). I saw Gn'R every tour after until I took a break when Buckethead joined. Gn'R is the band I've been lucky enough to see the most times live, almost 100! Everyone on this album is just stellar. Axl [Rose] had the tones, power, melodic sensibilities, and foresight to do what no other singer did then. Slash's playing was beyond memorable. Duff [McKagan] is one of the most underrated bassists in rock history, and learning his Appetite basslines is a masterclass. Steven [Adler] had the natural swing, and Izzy [Stradlin] was the secret weapon songwriter. Everything that's been heralded about this gem is deserved and true. Check out "It's So Easy," "Out Ta Get Me," and "Mr. Brownstone.' 7) Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd (1975) Another contender for my favorite album and band of all time. Using The Beatles machine (same recording studio, engineer, record label), Pink Floyd made what I feel is their strongest, most cohesive album (my second favorite of theirs would be Animals). This list mainly consists of bands with an instantly recognizable sound. Floyd is certainly no exception to that! This album included a solid handful of undeniable rock radio classics, bookended by two halves of the mind-blowing song "Shine on You Crazy Diamond.' That song was written about former band member and founder Syd Barrett. It would be hard to live in a world without this album. Check out "Welcome to The Machine," "Shine on You Crazy Diamond (parts 6-9),' or even better yet, listen to the whole thing in one sitting! 6) Decade by Neil Young (1977) About this time, I started playing guitar. As a beginner, it was comfortable jamming to this album because the chord changes were simple—a great "first ten years" retrospective of Neil's stunning, unique songwriting. Neil is a treasure who always writes from the heart and stands up for what's right. Check out "Southern Man," "A Man Needs a Maid," "Down by The River," and "After the Goldrush." 5) Highway to Hell by AC/DC (1979) When I heard this album, I was firmly "me." My life would be 100% focused on hard rock music forever. AC/DC are like air; they're ubiquitous. Everyone knows them and their incredible songs. However, as a young teen in Wilmington, Delaware, I only had WMMR 93.3 FM Philadelphia and a few friends to inform me about the world of Rock outside my bedroom. AC/DC had not gone mainstream, and their albums were available primarily in the USA as imports. To put things more in perspective, I only knew two people in the world who had heard of AC/DC. A friend had an import that we played in Steve Buckley's basement, which sounded ripping. When Highway to Hell was released, WMMR started spinning the title track, and I immediately bought the album, listening to it every single day after school. Then WMMR announced AC/DC was coming to the Spectrum in Philly, supporting Ted Nugent! I liked Ted but loved AC/DC, so my good friend Mick Cummins and I bought tickets, and he drove us up to the Spectrum (where we saw most of our concerts). Bon Scott was in fine form, and the band went over great. Although the crowd knew Ted better, Angus [Young] wouldn't let anyone upstage him. I'll never forget it! Unfortunately, Bon would be gone in 6 months. Check out "Walk All Over You," "Touch Too Much," "Shot Down in Flames," and "If You Want Blood (You Got It)." 4) Toys in the Attic by Aerosmith (1975) By the time I heard this, I was now in my teens. I had a childhood friend up the street, Jim Linberg (we're still good buddies). His older sister had a great album collection, including Toys in The Attic. Once I heard that groove, my taste changed. I lost interest in rock music that didn't have some sort of "swing" feel to it. I think Rocks is a slightly better Aerosmith album (and possibly my favorite album of all time), but both are perfect or very close. Check out "Uncle Salty," "Adam's Apple," "No More No More," "Round and Round," and "You See Me Crying." 3) Alive! by Kiss (1975) When I was still a little kid, I asked for Cheech and Chong's Up in Smoke album for Christmas. The entire family came over for an enormous feast, and I dropped the needle. When my mother heard the content, she turned off the album and said I had to exchange it. My mom was cool, but I was young and knew much more about life than she suspected. Anyway, the next day, she drove me back to the store. In the music section, promoted on an "endcap" was a Kiss Alive! display. I had never heard of Kiss, but that cover picture told me I had to have it! My first foray into hard rock. Check out “Strutter.” I went through my Kiss phase very quickly, I believe in a matter of months because I discovered the previous entry, Aerosmith's Toys in the Attic. 2) Honky Chateau by Elton John (1972) When I was a wee lad, my parents bought a used Volkswagen camper van from my uncle Ozzie. My favorite Elton John album is Yellow Brick Road, but Honky Chateau is great and easily one of his best. It sent me down a lifelong rabbit hole of loving everything about the 1970s partnership between Elton and lyricist Bernie Taupin. The simple beauty of voice, the master songwriting, the perfect backing band, the clear, unobtrusive recordings, and always Bernie's incredible lyrics. The day this album was released, Elton became an unstoppable force that conquered the music industry. Check out "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" and "Rocket Man." 1) Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles (1967) Another tape that was included in the VW Camper. The van had a bunch of music tapes, and one was Sgt Pepper. I was too young to understand the sophistication of the music, but that was one of the many skills of The Beatles. They attracted listeners at every level, even little kids. I still feel that immediate connection to Sgt Pepper; now, I hear so much more. It's an album that changed the world and the world of music. Check out "Lucy in The Sky with Diamonds," "A Day In The Life," and "Fixing a Hole."](http://www.classicrockhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Shutterstock_1815495569-1-300x200.jpg)
