Are You Gonna Go My Way (song)

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"Are You Gonna Go My Way"
Single by Lenny Kravitz
from the album Are You Gonna Go My Way
Released	1993
Format	CD Single Maxi single
Genre	Rock
Length	3:32
Label	Virgin Records
Writer(s)	Lenny Kravitz Craig Ross
Producer(s)	Lenny Kravitz
Chart positions
#4 (United Kingdom) #12(U.S. Billboard Hot 100)
Lenny Kravitz singles chronology
"What The Fuck Are We Saying" (1992)	"Are You Gonna Go My Way" (1993)	"Believe" (1994)

"Are You Gonna Go My Way" is the first single to be released by Lenny Kravitz from the album by the same name. It was released in March 1993. It was written by Lenny Kravitz and Craig Ross.

Contents 1 Composition 2 Chart performance 3 Music video 4 Single track listing 5 Awards 6 Trivia 7 Credits

[edit] Composition

"Are You Gonna Go My Way" is an uptempo and anthemic rock song. It starts off with a riff that many considered as a Jimi Hendrix rip-off. The song is not solely performed by singing; it also consists of a solo guitar that is played for more than a minute. Lyrically, the song is based on the concept of having fun and feeling good energies, and Kravitz invites everyone to "go that way" he feels.

[edit] Chart performance

"Are You Gonna Go My Way" is one of Kravitz's most successful songs, considered as one of his signature songs. It was a hit in USA, reaching the top twenty on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. Besides, it reached top 5 in UK, peaking at number four.[1]

Chart	Peak position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	12
U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Charts	1
U.S. Billboard Modern Rock Charts	2
Australia ARIA Singles Charts	1
United Kingdom Singles Charts	4

[edit] Music video

‎ The music video consisted of Kravitz and his band playing, surrounded by people dancing and having fun. The background scenography consists of a futuristic and architectonical place, something usual on Mark Romanek's videos, the director of the video. He would later direct more videos for Kravitz, such as "Is There Any Love In Your Heart" and "If You Can't Say No".

"Are You Gonna Go My Way" was one of the most played videos in 1993 on MTV [2] and has been considered on many MTV's best music video shows. It won the 1993 MTV Video Music Award for Best Male Artist, and was played live during the show with John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin fame on bass.

The video is featured in the DVD for the special tour edition for Greatest Hits album. It is also featured in Directors Label Volume 4: The Work Of Director Mark Romanek.

[edit] Single track listing

• CD1

1. Are You Gonna Go My Way
2. It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over
3. Always on the Run
4. Let Love Rule

• CD2

1. Are You Gonna Go My Way 3:32
2. My Love 3:52
3. All My Life 6:16
4. Someone Like You 4:14

[edit] Awards

The success of the song and the music video helped Kravitz to be nominated and won awards, such as:

• Grammy Awards for Best Rock Vocal Performance, Solo: Nominated
• Grammy Awards for Best Rock Song: Nominated

• MTV Video Music Awards for Best Art Direction: Nominated
• MTV Video Music Awards for Best Male Artist: Won

[edit] Trivia

The song was covered by Metallica in a medley for "MTV Hits" at the 2003 MTV Music Video Awards

A remixed version is played as the opening theme song in Gran Turismo 3.

[edit] Credits

• Lead and background vocals performed by Lenny Kravitz.
• Drums performed by Lenny Kravitz.
• Electric Guitar performed by Craig Ross
• Bass performed by Tony Breit