Are You Gonna Go My Way by Lenny Kravitz

Album: Are You Gonna Go My Way (1993)

Charted: 4

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Songfacts®:

This song is about Jesus Christ, whom Lenny referred to as "the ultimate rock star." It's about how God gives choice to man about where to turn. The opening lines spell it out:

I was born long ago
I am the chosen I'm the one
I have come to save the day
And I won't leave until I'm done >>>
Suggestion credit:
Ramon - Ottawa, Canada
This was not released as a single in the US, but in 1995 a live version was used as the B-side of Kravitz' "Rock And Roll Is Dead."
Kravitz played this on Saturday Night Live in 1993. >>>
Suggestion credit:
Michael - Mountain View, CA
In an interview posted on his website, Kravitz explained the origin of this song: "We were just jamming in the studio. You know, I was jamming with Craig Ross, who I wrote the song with. It was one of those songs that happened in 5 minutes. We were jamming. I thought there was something happening. I told Henry to turn the tape machines on, and we played it. And that was it. And then I went and wrote the lyrics on a brown paper bag, I remember at my loft on Broome Street at the time. Went in and sang it the next day. And that was it." >>>
Suggestion credit:
Martin - Rostock, Germany
Kravitz thought he came up with a cool song but didn't expect it to become a big hit. He told Rolling Stone in 2018: "I thought the subject matter was really interesting, because it's coming from the mouth of Jesus Christ, as I thought. So basically, 'Are you gonna go my way?' meaning 'my way of love.' I had no idea that that song would become what it became. No idea. There was nothing on the radio like that. And the recording is so raw, it's ridiculous."
This was a #2 hit on the Modern Rock chart. Because it was released as an airplay-only single in the US, it wasn't eligible for the Hot 100. At the time, many record labels chose to only release promo singles to radio stations so listeners would have to buy the whole album to hear the song. While the strategy worked for album sales, it also kept artists off the chart until the rules changed in 1998.
Are You Gonna Go My Way was Kravitz' first Top 20 album in the US, where it peaked at #12. It hit #1 in the UK, Switzerland, Canada, and Australia.
"Are You Gonna Go My Way" earned Kravitz Grammy nominations for Best Rock Vocal Performance, Solo and Best Rock Song. He lost to Meat Loaf for "I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That)" and Dave Pirner for Soul Asylum's "Runaway Train," respectively.
The music video, directed by Mark Romanek, finds Kravitz and his band performing beneath a brilliant chandelier. The mesmeric lighting display was made of 983 cylindrical incandescent light tubes. Originally designed for aquarium use, each tube could be brightened and dimmed to create patterns of light. The clip earned Kravitz the MTV Video Music Award for Best Male Artist.
Tom Jones recorded this for the 1995 comedy The Jerky Boys. It's also been covered by Robbie Williams, Mel B, and Adam Lambert.
This was used in the 1994 movie I Love Trouble, starring Julia Roberts. It also showed up on The Simpsons ("How I Spent My Strummer Vacation" - 2002) and Sex and the City ("Ghost Town" - 2001).
A remixed version was used at the opening theme to the 2001 video game Gran Turismo 3.
Kravitz did some intergender shredding with H.E.R. when he joined her to perform this song at the Grammy Awards in 2022 with Travis Barker on drums.
Kravitz, who first performed at the MTV Video Music Awards in 1993, showed up again in 2024 to perform "Are You Gonna Go My Way," "Fly Away," and his new song, "Human," which won for Best Rock.

Comments: 21

Anonymous from Redding Californiathat song of are you going to go my way by Lenny Kravitz was stolen out of a garage in Santa Rosa California at the end of Leland Leanna Street my name is Kurt Anthony reading that I was on the drums on that set and I don't appreciate not get nothing over it and a song about Jesus Christ if anybody's listening to my comment would you please send the repeat review back so we can take him to where he needs to be dealt with thank you
John from Cleveland, OhioWhile Kravitz has the Hendrix thing going for him I was sure that this riff was copied from Phil Keaggy's "Carry On." Now that I see this song also has a Christian theme, that at least illuminates the possibility that Kravitz was familiar with Keaggy's Christian rock. The timing is impeccable, this song released in 1993 versus 1990 for Keaggy's song. It is cool to reuse a riff and change it to one's own style.
Cindy from Marshall, Mo.I never listened to him much, but always loved this song. Can definetly hear the Hendrix sound in there. Grew up in the 70's listening to guitar greats like Mark Farner, Jimmy Page, Robin Trower, Alvin Lee, Just to name a few. But then i heard Stevie Ray Vaughan for the first time,when i was living in Texas in the early 80's,he blew my mind! He could "shred" a guitar! He was really just getting started! RIP Stevie!!
Cindy from Marshall, Mo.Never listened to Kravitz much, but can hear his playing much like Hendrix. Grew up in the 70's listening to guitar greats like Mark Farner,Allman Bros.,Jimmy Page,Johnny Winter, but then along came Stevie Ray Vaughan, i was blown away by him! He almost didn't seem real!! WOW
Luke from London, UkI remember late '92 or early '93, this was getting so much airplay. And the inevitable Hendrix comparisons. Sure he may have been influenced by Jimi, but aren't most rock guitarists? I played this single to death.
Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn April 17th 1993, Lenny Kravitz performed "Are You Gonna Go My Way" on the NBC-TV program 'Saturday Night Live'...
Two months later on June 6th, 1993 it peaked at #1 (for 2 weeks) on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart...
And on April 3rd, 1993 it also reached #1 (for 6 weeks) on the Australian ARIA Top Singles chart.
Marcus from Columbia, MoIf anyone noticed in the video, he doesn't even play his own solo. And I don't know if this happens in all of his songs but Hendrix obviously played all of his solos. So stop comparing the two.
Louis Rodriguez from Lancaster, CaLenny is the son of Roxie Roker and Seymour "Sy" Kravitz. Roxie played Helen Willis on the The Jeffersons for 11 seasons. His dad was an american film maker and NBC news producer. She was also cousin to Al Roker a television news personality.
Oldpink from New Castle, InFabulous song, and definitely my favorite from Lenny.
The video for it is simple, but has a nice visual of rotating lights on the ceiling.
Lenny was most definitely paying homage to Hendrix on this one, especially with that final bit of echo on his guitar for the last notes.
Way to go on this one, Lenny.
Allie from A Little Ol' Town In, MiThe guitar is awesome, but i don't really listen to Kravitz that much, Jimi is waaaaayyy better, he puts more feeling into his guitar!
Carlospassage from Cali-colombia, South AmericaLenny se atrevio a emular a Hendryx. Le fue bien. Se agarro como un gato desesperado a la guitarra, se ahogo en su propio sueño y lo consiguio. Fue la primera cancion que pusimos con Mario en el lanzamiento de la emisora SUPERESTACION fm 100.5 en Cali, Colombia.
Johnny from Los Angeles, CaWhen I first heard this on the radio, I thought "wait a minute, I've never heard this Hendrix song before!" I figured out that it was lenny kravitz and was stunned. The music artist that I am most embaressed to say I like is probably lenny.
Daniel from Northern Ireland, United StatesThis song is lame for one reason and one reason only.
Listen to Easy Rider By Jimi Hendrix, he has just stole a riff from the bridge of the song.
Brian from Fairborn, OhThis song was on the video game "GRAN TURISMO 3"
Evan from Flower Mound, Txi agree with dino...kravitz is not the next hendrix, there will probably never be another hendrix, but nevertheless the riff is cool
Julian from Anaheim, CaThis is one of my favorite songs by Lenny. I am seeing him and Aerosmith in Febuary. It was my christmas present.
Brad from Indianapolis, InEverything is derivative of something before it. Why does Lenny get so much heat for it?

Lenny has written some beautiful lyrics, and set them to some compelling music, and those songs have helped me in my life. That is enough for him to earn my admiration.
Matt from Millbrae, CaMetallica did a brief 45 second version of this at the 2003 VMA's...they also played Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana, Seven Nation Army by the White Stripes, and Beat It by Jacko.
Mike from Lake Hopatcong, NjLenny in fact did not get his start in show business even though he did do a Burger King commercial that showed him biting into a burger. He left home at the age of 15 and lived in a Ford Pinto for $5 a day. When he went to record companies with his demo, they either said his music was not black enough or not white enough. Meanwhile, as his critics continue to say he's a fad, rip off, phoney and countless other remarks. However, 16 years and 4 grammy awards later, he's still going strong. Unlike countless groups that were around when he started. It just goes to show you that his critics know nothing and they probably can't name many artists who have had their albums go platinum or gold in 31 countries around the world and write, produce and play all the intruments on their albums. Like him or not, he must be doing something right.
Dino from Athens, Greecei dont like kravitz, but the riff is cool
Eddie from Lachine, Mi Kravitz at this point in his career was being forced to milk the fact that he was the only really commercial succesful black guitarist since Hendrix. His tone is resemblant of Jimi's, but Lenny has no soul. It is worth pointing out that Kravitz is a pop-culture-slave-type artist that got his start in show business at a very young age(earlier than 7) in a Burger King commercial.
But yes, the song is about direction of free-will and the choices humanity makes.

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