Always on the Run

On 11 February 2019 I set myself the challenging of reading 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die by Robert Dimery (ed.) and following the book’s advice to the letter. I’ve previously read 1001 Films… and started 1001 Albums… but felt 1001 Songs… would be a sensible place to start for what I have in mind here.

My challenge is to read about one song per day and listen to it (YouTube and Spotify, I need you tonight!) before sharing my own thoughts. Some songs I will love, others I’ll hate, and I’m sure there will be those that leave me perplexed but listen to them I shall.

I’ll also try, and most likely fail, to pinpoint the best song from the 1001 on offer but I’m nothing if not foolhardy. Instead of one song, I’m predicting I’ll have about 100 favourites by the end and may have to resort to a Top 10 so far to maintain any semblance of sanity.

So long as I post everyday (including Christmas) then this challenge should come to an end on Wednesday 8 November 2021. Staying with the Barney Stinson theme I am hoping that the whole experience will prove to be…

Lenny Kravitz – Always on the Run (1991)

Always on the Run

” Always on the Run” is the first single released from by Lenny Kravitz. It features a contribution by Guns N’ Roses guitarist, Slash. Slash had written the music for the song with the original intention of releasing it on a Guns N’ Roses studio album but since former drummer Steven Adler had difficulty playing the song, he saved it for this eventual collaboration with Kravitz.

Lyrics (via Genius)

Read “Always On the Run” by Lenny Kravitz on Genius

We’re leaving Canada and returning to the US and to New York for our latest guest. Lenny Kravitz began his career in the early 1980s specialising primarily in rock. When we join Kravitz in 1991 it is with his second album, Mama Said, and from there 1001 Songs have gone with a unique collaboration by the name of Always on the Run.

Lenny Kravitz wrote Always on the Run with Slash from Guns N’ Roses. Slash had written the music with the intention of using it on a future band album but instead he and Kravitz composed a track together. The premise of the song is Kravitz remembering the many lessons that his mother taught him to get through life as best he can. Such lessons include that some are rich and some are poor, and that one can push but not too hard; know your limits. Unfortunately, Kravitz’s narrator laments in the chorus that he is always running which can only mean he has got himself into trouble, not followed his mother’s good advice and paid the price.

Lenny Kravitz is known for energetic rock tracks with great guitar and matching vocals to boot. A collaboration with Slash is a dream come true and you certainly get it with the Roses man himself performing on the track. Kravitz has since carved out a very successful career, winning numerous awards and even taking on some acting roles along the way. Now that is just showing off, Lenny.

Favourite songs so far:

The Animals – House of the Rising Sun (1964)

Simon & Garfunkel – The Sounds of Silence (1965)

The Beatles – A Day in the Life (1967)

The Doors – The End (1967)

Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here (1975)

Meat Loaf – Bat Out of Hell (1977)

Ultravox – Vienna (1980)

The Smiths – How Soon Is Now? (1984)

Tracy Chapman – Fast Car (1988)

U2 – One (1991)