Are You Gonna Go My Way by Lenny Kravitz Lyrics Meaning – Unveiling the Call for Universal Harmony
Lyrics
I am the chosen, I’m the one
I have come to save the day
And I won’t leave until I’m done
So that’s why you’ve got to try
You got to breathe and have some fun
Though I’m not paid, I play this game
And I won’t stop until I’m done
But what I really want to know is
Are you gonna go my way?
And I got to, got to know
I don’t know why we always cry
This we must leave and get undone
We must engage and rearrange
And turn this planet back to one
So tell me why we got to die
And kill each other one by one
We’ve got to hug and rub-a-dub
We’ve got to dance and be in love
(But what I really want to know is)
Are you gonna go my way?
And I got to, got to know
Are you gonna go my way?
‘Cause, baby, I got to know
Yeah
When Lenny Kravitz released ‘Are You Gonna Go My Way’ in 1993, he wasn’t merely dropping a furiously catchy rock anthem; he was preaching a sermon of cohesion wrapped in electric riffs. At the core of the guitar-heavy hit lies a deeply existential plea, one that begs for collective harmony in a world spun into chaos.
Kravitz, with his messianic persona embodied through the lyrics, doesn’t just want to rock out; he’s urging a movement, a shift in psyche, toward unity and love. Delving into the meaning behind the song’s powerful lyrics reveals that this track is far more than a rock staple; it’s a manifesto for change.
The Chosen One’s Crusade
The opening lines of ‘Are You Gonna Go My Way’ introduce us to a self-proclaimed savior, an anointed rock deity on a mission. Kravitz challenges the archetypal perception of a messiah figure, blending spiritual diction with a rockstar’s rebellious spirit, thereby marking his resolve to instigate change as relentless and undying.
This savior motif isn’t about ego; it’s about responsibility. Kravitz’s persona realizes that true leaders aren’t self-serving but serve a greater cause – the cause of collective salvation.
An Anthem for Playful Revolution
In the face of seriousness and urgency, Kravitz delivers a counterintuitive message: ‘You got to breathe and have some fun.’ The song becomes not just a call to action but an invitation to dance in the revolution, to find joy in the rebellion against societal norms and the struggle for a more unified world.
He defies the conventional grim approach toward activism by asserting that revolution has room for enjoyment and that perhaps, embracing our humanity in all its facets – including frivolous joy – is essential to true progress.
Decoding the Plea for Togetherness
‘Are you gonna go my way?’ is protested over and over as a chant, a mantra, a beckoning. The song’s chorus is a siren call to listeners, asking them to join in Kravitz’s envisioned journey toward a world reconnected. The repetition serves as a reminder that this question is not only directed at the individual listener but at the collective conscience of an era.
The ‘way’ that Kravitz beckons the listener towards isn’t solely about a direction in a physical space, but rather a path of unity, peace, and perhaps most importantly – love.
Rebellion Against a Cycle of Sorrow
The verse ‘I don’t know why we always cry / This we must leave and get undone’ touches on the senseless cycle of pain and division that plagues humanity. Kravitz’s agonized questioning underscores a genuine confusion regarding our readiness to accept suffering as a default state.
This part of the song evokes the unnecessary complexity we add to life, prompting listeners to ponder our penchant for self-inflicted pain, segregation, and war, instead of choosing a more harmonious route.
Memorable Lines: The Rhythmic Eulogy of Discord
Perhaps the most poignant and poetic stroke in the song is the line ‘We’ve got to hug and rub-a-dub.’ This seemingly whimsical lyric juxtaposes the imagery of innocence and unity with the consequential mature topic of world peace. Kravitz compels us to engage in the disarmingly simple acts of touching, loving, and celebrating life – the antidotes to the complexity of hate.
It’s a memorable line that cuts through the heavy electric guitar backdrop and solidifies the song’s message into a singular, unforgettable mantra of togetherness and joy. Lenny Kravitz, in ‘Are You Gonna Go My Way’, didn’t just create a chart-topping track; he minted a euphonious call-to-arms for solidarity.
