Imagine a single moment that flips your entire world upside down, reshaping your career and life in ways you never saw coming. That's the incredible tale behind Lenny Kravitz's iconic song 'Are You Gonna Go My Way' – a track that exploded into superstardom and left fans and critics buzzing. But here's the twist: it all started with something as mundane as a lack of basic office supplies. Intrigued? Let's dive deep into this rock legend's story, uncovering how a late-night jam session, a borrowed paper bag, and a whole lot of inspiration birthed one of the 90s' most unforgettable anthems.
Back in the Best of 2025 archives, our feature on the creation of 'Are You Gonna Go My Way' captivated over 400,000 readers this year. Picture this: It's the early 1990s in the bustling heart of New York City, more than 30 years ago. Lenny Kravitz, the multi-talented musician and performer (check out our deep dive into why he's a legend at Louder Sound), was just a step away from global fame – but literally tripping over a simple obstacle: no notebook or pen in sight.
'I was crashing in a loft on Broome and Mercer Streets,' Lenny reminisces with a chuckle. 'It was home to a bunch of other artists, so the place was always in creative disarray. I never kept proper writing materials around. That night, I was replaying a track we'd recorded that morning – a cassette I'd brought home – and I had zero clue what lyrics to layer on top. It was getting late, and yeah, I might've been a bit under the influence, when suddenly, BAM! The melody hit me, followed by the words. But in a panic, I couldn't find a single scrap of paper anywhere. I was scrambling around the kitchen, with the boombox blasting on the counter, when I spotted a discarded takeout bag from someone's Chinese dinner. I tore it open, flattened it out, and grabbed an old pen to jot everything down. The lyrics poured out in one unbroken flow. Somewhere, I still have that bag – it's like a relic from a mission accomplished!'
And just like that, 'Are You Gonna Go My Way' was born. Those hastily scribbled words read like a powerful, almost prophetic declaration ('I've come to save the day / And I won't leave until I'm done...'), paired with what many call a divine guitar riff – actually crafted by session musician Craig Ross during an impromptu session at Waterfront Studios in New Jersey that very morning.
'We were just messing around in the studio,' Lenny explains, 'and out of nowhere, this riff emerged. It felt electric, right from the start. We didn't plan it; we just captured it in one seamless take, like we often did. It was pure magic on that cassette.'
Now, keep in mind, this was the era when grunge – that raw, angst-filled rock subgenre pioneered by bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam – dominated the charts, with its gritty sounds and anti-establishment vibes. Kravitz, despite his star-like presence and skills as a singer and multi-instrumentalist, hadn't yet broken into the mainstream spotlight. He didn't anticipate this quirky, unpolished track resonating with the masses.
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'I'd released a couple of albums and scored a big hit with 'It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over,'' Lenny admits candidly. 'But even while working on 'Mama Said,' I was still commuting by subway to the studio. The ironic part about 'Are You Gonna Go My Way' is that when we recorded it, I had no inkling it would become a smash. Sometimes you sense a hit in your bones, but this one? Not at all. Against the polished pop and heavy grunge flooding the airwaves, our sound was rough, our production edgy – it stood out as peculiar, you know?'
Lenny Kravitz - Are You Gonna Go My Way (Official Music Video) - YouTube
Watch On (https://youtu.be/8LhCd1W2V0Q)
Yet, despite its unassuming origins, Kravitz's vocals carry a bold, almost theatrical ambition that's hard to ignore.
'I'm belting out phrases like 'I was born long ago' and 'I am the chosen, I'm the one,' but this isn't autobiographical,' he clarifies, making it accessible for newcomers. 'It's channeling Jesus Christ, drawing from that epic 'Jesus Christ Superstar' vibe – think of it as performing in a musical role. The core question is: Are you ready to walk the path of love? Let's unpack Christ's teachings: They centered on compassion and unity. So, the song's really asking, will you shed the hatred and embrace a life of love instead? Are you prepared to follow my way?'
Other lyrics, urging Earth's people to 'hug and rub-a-dub,' evoke the free-spirited idealism of the 1960s Summer of Love – a stark contrast to the cynical, tough-edged 1990s defined by grunge's gloom and Britpop's swagger.
'When I dropped 'Let Love Rule' back in 1989,' Kravitz counters with a smile, 'folks labeled me a dreamer. You know, 'This guy's always preaching love, peace, spirituality, and fairness.' But honestly, aren't those aspirations worth championing?'
Thematically, 'Are You Gonna Go My Way' is Kravitz's heartfelt creation. But here's where it gets controversial – and this is the part most people miss: A few years back, in 2009, I chatted with Craig Ross, the guitarist who laid down those iconic riffs. To my surprise, he revealed he co-wrote the track and handled all the sharp, cracking guitar elements. Yet, the blistering solo is often wrongly attributed to Kravitz himself, possibly because Lenny frequently highlights his own versatility in interviews.
'I'm proud of my contributions,' Ross shared in that conversation, 'and I know what I've brought. It just bugs me that I'm not in the spotlight like some others.'
Lenny Kravitz - Are You Gonna Go My Way (Radio 2 Live in Hyde Park) - YouTube
Watch On (https://youtu.be/lf_bCwaKvsU)
'Honestly, Craig's a genius who deserves way more recognition,' Kravitz agrees wholeheartedly. 'My approach varies by song. If I'm handling everything solo, I'll layer from drums up. But for 'Are You Gonna Go My Way,' I wanted live energy – guitars and drums recorded simultaneously. I manned the drums, Craig nailed the guitar, and Tony Breit played bass. That setup gave us this organic friction and bleed-through in the microphones, crafting that signature vibe.'
Fast-forward to 1993, and the song was inescapable. It soared to No. 1 on the US charts and reached No. 4 in the UK, propelled by Mark Romanek's electrifying video featuring Kravitz's flowing dreadlocks and infectious moves – a clip that catapulted him from subway rider to superstar status.
'Folks were beginning to notice me, and things got wild,' he recalls. 'Then 'Are You Gonna Go My Way' dropped and turned everything on its head. Life was never the same; I had to overhaul my routines entirely. But it was exhilarating. This track has become a timeless classic. I catch it spinning worldwide – in clubs, even remixed into dance sets, bridging genres effortlessly. Romanek's video was a game-changer, proving you could groove to it with real rhythm.'
That said, we're in a different era now. With terrorism threats and economic crises looming, does the world still have room for such dreamy optimism? Kravitz argues it amplifies the message more than ever.
'Is 'Are You Gonna Go My Way' still pertinent today?' he ponders aloud. 'Our current reality is fraught with challenges, and it's heartbreaking how we've regressed in our humanity – mistreating one another and the planet. So yes, it's even more vital now. I'd never cut it from my shows; without it, the set feels incomplete. Performing it live is pure joy, and it'll always be in my repertoire.'
Henry Yates has been freelancing as a journalist since 2002, covering music for outlets like The Guardian, The Telegraph, NME, Classic Rock, Guitarist, Total Guitar, and Metal Hammer. He's penned the official biography of Walter Trout, titled 'Rescued From Reality,' and serves as a music expert on Times Radio and BBC TV. His interview roster includes rock icons such as Brian May, Jimmy Page, Ozzy Osbourne, Ronnie Wood, Dave Grohl, Marilyn Manson, Kiefer Sutherland, and countless others.
What do you think? Does crediting Craig Ross more fairly change how we view Kravitz's legacy – or is it just splitting hairs in the rock 'n' roll myth-making machine? And in today's divided world, can a song preaching love truly make a difference, or is it just nostalgic fluff? Share your thoughts in the comments below – do you agree with Kravitz's unwavering idealism, or do you see it as out-of-touch? Let's spark a conversation!
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