Released: 1993
Lenny Kravitz’s ‘Are You Gonna Go My Way’ is a classic rock anthem that poses a question about unity and personal commitment. The song is a call to action, asking listeners if they’re willing to join Kravitz on his mission to make the world a better place.
The opening verse sets the stage, with Kravitz declaring himself as a sort of rock ‘n’ roll messiah. ‘I was born long ago, I am the chosen, I’m the one’ – this is a bold statement, but it’s not about ego. It’s about Kravitz’s belief in his mission to ‘save the day’.
When he says ‘you’ve got to try, you got to breathe and have some fun’, he’s encouraging us to embrace life, to find joy even in the struggle. The line ‘though I’m not paid, I play this game, and I won’t stop until I’m done’ shows his commitment to his cause, regardless of personal gain.
The chorus, ‘Are you gonna go my way?’ is a direct challenge to the listener. It’s Kravitz asking if you’re willing to join him in his mission. It’s a question that demands a response.
In the second verse, Kravitz talks about the state of the world. ‘We always cry, this we must leave and get undone’ – it’s a call for change, for us to ‘engage and rearrange’ and work towards unity. ‘We got to die, and kill each other one by one’ is a stark reminder of the consequences if we don’t.
The line ‘we’ve got to hug, and rub-a-dub, we’ve got to dance, and be in love’ is Kravitz’s vision for a better world. It’s about unity, love, and joy. It’s a vision that he’s committed to, and he’s asking if you are too.
So, are you gonna go his way?
