.

Lenny Kravitz Unleashes Good-Time Summer Vibe With 'Stand'

Stream the first single from 'Black and White America'

Comment
June 14, 2011 8:40 AM ET
Lenny Kravitz performs on June 7, 2011 in Oakland, California.
Lenny Kravitz performs on June 7, 2011 in Oakland, California.
Tim Mosenfelder/Getty

Click to listen to Lenny Kravitz's 'Stand'

Lenny Kravitz has always been a stylistic chameleon, but it's still a bit surprising to hear a touch of early Elvis Costello in "Stand," the first single from his ninth studio album Black and White America. It's also very refreshing. While Kravitz's vocal phrasing recalls Costello circa Armed Forces and Get Happy!, the music is rooted in the sort of upbeat funk pop that has been a consistent thread through all of his albums. With its easygoing melodies and good time vibe, "Stand" immediately announces itself as one of the most instantly likeable rock tunes of the summer. Black and White America will hit stores on August 30th, but you can stream the song now.

To read the new issue of Rolling Stone online, plus the entire RS archive: Click Here

prev
Red Hot Chili Peppers Reveal New Album Track List
Music Main Next
Second Person Confirmed Dead at Bonnaroo

Picks From Around the Web


blog comments powered by Disqus
Daily Newsletter

Get the latest RS news in your inbox.

Sign up to receive the Rolling Stone newsletter and special offers from RS and its
marketing partners.

X

We may use your e-mail address to send you the newsletter and offers that may interest you, on behalf of Rolling Stone and its partners. For more information please read our Privacy Policy.

Most Popular

Photos & Videos

Go To Content

Random Notes: Hottest Rock Pictures

Go To Content Play Video

Video: Kanye and Ben Affleck's 'SNL' Teaser Clip

Go To Content

Gallery: 2013 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction

Best Ever Lists
100 Greatest Guitarists

Other Lists

Song Stories

“Let My Love Open the Door”

Pete Townshend | 1980

A peppy, hopeful love song, "Let My Love Open the Door" became a U. S. Top Ten hit for Pete Townshend in 1980, anchored by the kind of repeating synthesizer figures that he'd used in some of the Who's recordings in the previous decade. Although Townshend brushed the song off as "just a ditty" in Rolling Stone shortly after its release, in 1996 he revealed it was about love of the holiest sort. "It's supposed to be about the power of God's love," he remarked. "That when you're in difficulty, whether it's major or minor, God's love is always there for you."

More Song Stories entries »