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Let Love Rule

by Lenny Kravitz

Released: September 06, 1989

psychedelic soul, Psychedelic rock

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Why This Album Matters

The central hook is supported directly by Kravitz’s first-hand Fresh Air interview and the memoir passage read during it: he said his previous writing was labored, while the life and love he shared with Bonet made him feel different; he then identified that change as the beginning of Let Love Rule. ([kosu.org](https://www.kosu.org/music/2021-10-22/lenny-kravitzs-memoir-let-love-rule-chronicles-the-making-of-a-rock-star)) In an independent CBS News interview, Kravitz again said that through his experience with Bonet he found his sound without effort, directly corroborating the relationship-to-music connection. ([cbsnews.com](https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/lenny-kravitz-on-finding-his-voice-let-love-rule/)) Macmillan’s official memoir page identifies Bonet as his muse, while American Songwriter’s first-hand interview connects the early music to the love and romance in his life and confirms that he made the album independently and played nearly every instrument. ([us.macmillan.com](https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250771711/letloverule/?utm_source=openai)) Guitar World independently confirms that the record was made before he had a label, and Kravitz’s first-hand Classic Rock interview verifies Hirsch’s role, the Hoboken setting and the Virgin meeting—including the 15-minute limit, the executives’ notes and the offer at the final song. ([guitarworld.com](https://www.guitarworld.com/magazine/dear-guitar-hero-lenny-kravitz-talks-vintage-gear-let-love-rule-and-new-album-strut?utm_source=openai))

The Album

"Let Love Rule" is the debut studio album by American rock singer and songwriter Lenny Kravitz, released on September 6, 1989, by Virgin Records. The album's production was a familial effort, with Kravitz's then-wife, actress Lisa Bonet, co-writing one of the songs and his mother, Roxie Roker, featuring on the track "Fear". With the majority of the songs on the album being written by Kravitz, the album represented Kravitz's manifesto on love, a pervasive theme in the entire scope of his work.

Stories and details

Interesting Facts

"Let Love Rule" features a psychedelic, groovy style…

"Let Love Rule" features a psychedelic, groovy style with influences from rock, funk, soul, and reggae, a blend that came to be known as Kravitz's signature sound.

In 2009, the album got a 20th-anniversary deluxe…

In 2009, the album got a 20th-anniversary deluxe edition re-release, which included a number of bonus tracks.

The album cover photography was taken by Kravitz's…

The album cover photography was taken by Kravitz's father, Sy Kravitz.

The album was also dedicated to his parents'…

The album was also dedicated to his parents' love for each other.

Musicians who contributed to "Let Love Rule" include…

Musicians who contributed to "Let Love Rule" include Henry Hirsch on bass, Karl Denson on saxophone, and Lee Jaffe on harmonica.

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Essential Tracks

Let Love Rule

It produced four singles, with "Let Love Rule", "I Build This Garden For Us", and "Mr. Cab Driver" gaining the most commercial success.

I Build This Garden For Us

It produced four singles, with "Let Love Rule", "I Build This Garden For Us", and "Mr. Cab Driver" gaining the most commercial success.

Fear

The album's production was a familial effort, with Kravitz's then-wife, actress Lisa Bonet, co-writing one of the songs and his mother, Roxie Roker, featuring on the track "Fear".

Mr. Cab Driver

It produced four singles, with "Let Love Rule", "I Build This Garden For Us", and "Mr. Cab Driver" gaining the most commercial success.

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"Let Love Rule" is the debut studio album by American rock singer and songwriter Lenny Kravitz, released on September 6, 1989, by Virgin Records.

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Lenny Kravitz - Let Love Rule

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Reception

It produced four singles, with "Let Love Rule", "I Build This Garden For Us", and "Mr. Cab Driver" gaining the most commercial success. The album was a moderate success, peaking at number 61 on the Billboard 200 and number 56 in the UK. Since its release, the album has garnered mixed to positive reviews from critics.

Full background

The Complete Album Story

"Let Love Rule" is the debut studio album by American rock singer and songwriter Lenny Kravitz, released on September 6, 1989, by Virgin Records. With the majority of the songs on the album being written by Kravitz, the album represented Kravitz's manifesto on love, a pervasive theme in the entire scope of his work.

"Let Love Rule" features a psychedelic, groovy style with influences from rock, funk, soul, and reggae, a blend that came to be known as Kravitz's signature sound. The album was a moderate success, peaking at number 61 on the Billboard 200 and number 56 in the UK. It produced four singles, with "Let Love Rule", "I Build This Garden For Us", and "Mr. Cab Driver" gaining the most commercial success.

Since its release, the album has garnered mixed to positive reviews from critics. Despite this, the album played a critical role in establishing Kravitz's career and has since become a staple in his discography.

The album's production was a familial effort, with Kravitz's then-wife, actress Lisa Bonet, co-writing one of the songs and his mother, Roxie Roker, featuring on the track "Fear". The album cover photography was taken by Kravitz's father, Sy Kravitz. The album was also dedicated to his parents' love for each other.

Musicians who contributed to "Let Love Rule" include Henry Hirsch on bass, Karl Denson on saxophone, and Lee Jaffe on harmonica. In 2009, the album got a 20th-anniversary deluxe edition re-release, which included a number of bonus tracks.