Lenny Kravitz stands in his Bahamas studio, surrounded by vintage gear and the thick, humid air of the Caribbean. He's nearly 60. Most people his age are thinking about retirement or at least slowing down the pace. Not Lenny. He’s vibrating. He's actually just getting started.
The track Human dropped in early 2024, and honestly, it felt like a jolt of caffeine for a world that’s become a bit too clinical. It isn’t just another radio single. It’s a manifesto. You've probably heard the hook—it’s upbeat, it’s got that signature cowbell, and it feels like 1975 met 2026 in a dark alley and decided to start a party.
The Rattle and the Spark
Have you ever noticed how the song starts? It begins with a rattle. Jacob Uitti over at American Songwriter pointed out that a rattle is usually a person’s first toy, but it’s also our first instrument. It’s a primal sound. Lenny uses it to wake us up.
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Basically, the song is a reminder that we are spiritual beings stuck in these weird, fleshy suits. Kravitz told Essence that he wrote it as an anthem for the spring. He wanted something that made you want to run out into the street and just start dancing. No self-consciousness. No filters. Just being.
It’s easy to look at Lenny—the leather pants, the six-pack, the "coolest man on earth" vibe—and think he’s playing a character. But the song Human is about the exact opposite. It’s about dropping the act. He spent his teens calling himself "Romeo Blue" because he wasn't comfortable in his own skin. He was trying to be Prince. He was trying to be Madonna. It took him years to realize that just being Lenny was the most powerful thing he could do.
Blue Electric Light: A Bahamas Fever Dream
The song is the centerpiece of his twelfth studio album, Blue Electric Light. Kravitz didn't just write these songs; he lived them in his studio in the Bahamas. He played almost every instrument himself. The drums? Lenny. The bass? Lenny. The funky, space-age synths? Also Lenny.
He’s joined by his long-time brother-in-arms, guitarist Craig Ross, who provides the skyscraping solo on the track. But for the most part, this is a solo mission.
- Release Date: March 22, 2024 (Single), May 24, 2024 (Album).
- The Vibe: A mix of 70s swagger and 80s pop sheen.
- The Message: Authenticity over everything.
Critics have been surprisingly kind, which isn't always the case for Lenny. AllMusic noted that while he isn't reinventing the wheel, the "good vibes" on this record are infectious. It’s a 4.5-afro rating kind of album if you ask the folks at Funkatopia.
Why "Human" Hits Different in 2026
We live in a world of AI-generated everything. We have filters for our faces and algorithms for our taste. In that context, a song that literally screams "I am here to be human" feels almost rebellious.
Lenny isn't interested in being perfect. He’s interested in being real. He talks about how he’s still a student, watching his grandfather Albert Roker (the elder, not the weatherman) stay curious well into his nineties. That’s the energy he’s bringing here.
The music video, directed by the legendary Joseph Kahn, took home the Best Rock Video at the 2024 MTV VMAs. It’s colorful, it’s chaotic, and it captures that "run into the street and dance" energy perfectly.
People often dismiss Kravitz as "derivative." They say he sounds too much like Hendrix or Lennon. But honestly? Who cares? If you’re channeling the greats to create something that makes people feel alive, you’re doing something right. He isn't just imitating; he’s recontextualizing those sounds for a generation that desperately needs some soul.
Living the Lyrics
The core of the song lies in the line: "I came here to be alive. I am here to be human." It sounds simple, almost too simple. But think about how much time we spend trying to please people or following a path someone else laid out for us.
Lenny’s "Human" is about the moment you stop doing that.
It’s about facing fears and conquering them. It's about gratitude. It’s about walking in your purpose. If you’re 30 and feel old, or 80 and feel young, that’s on you. Lenny is 60 and he’s out-benching most 20-year-olds while writing hit records. He’s living proof that the "human" experience is what you make of it.
Actionable Takeaways from the "Human" Philosophy
If you want to channel a bit of that Lenny energy in your own life, you don't need the leather trousers (though they help). Start with these steps:
Stop the People-Pleasing Audit
Spend a day noticing how many things you do just because you think you "should" or because someone else expects it. Lenny’s whole point is that your power comes from being authentic, not from being a carbon copy of what society wants.
Find Your "Rattle"
What’s the one thing that makes you feel alive? Not your job, not your chores—the thing that makes your spirit vibrate. Whether it’s playing an instrument, hiking, or just dancing in your kitchen, do more of that.
Embrace the "Student" Mindset
The moment you think you know everything is the moment you start getting old. Stay curious. Talk to people younger than you. Talk to people older than you. Keep your "antenna" up, as Lenny says, and see what kind of inspiration you can pick up.
Celebrate the Imperfect
The song Human isn't about being a superhero; it's about the "good, the bad, and the ugly" of existence. Stop waiting for the perfect moment to start living. Be messy, be loud, and most importantly, be yourself.