Let Love Rule (song)

"Let Love Rule" is the debut single by American musician Lenny Kravitz and appeared on his debut studio album, Let Love Rule (1989).^[2] The song charted at number 23 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks charts, and number 5 on the US Modern Rock charts. Then-wife Lisa Bonet appears in the video for the single.

"Let Love Rule"
Single by Lenny Kravitz
from the album Let Love Rule
Released	July 23, 1989
Recorded	1988
Genre	Psychedelic rock[1] neo-psychedelia[1]
Length	5:42 (album version) 3:42 (7" edit)
Label	Virgin
Songwriter(s)	Lenny Kravitz
Producer(s)	Lenny Kravitz
Lenny Kravitz singles chronology
"Spirit of the Forest" (1989) "Let Love Rule" (1989) "I Build This Garden for Us" (1990)
Music video
"Lenny Kravitz - Let Love Rule (Official Music Video)" on YouTube
Music video
"Lenny Kravitz - Let Love Rule 2009" on YouTube

In April 2009, a remix of the song by the French house duo Justice, was released^[3] to help promote the 20th anniversary deluxe edition of the album. A music video for the remix was later released in October, directed by Keith Schofield. It depicts a main character interacting with a closing credits scroll.^[4]

The song is available as a download for Rock Band and Guitar Hero 5.

Critical reception

David Giles from Music Week wrote, "Debut from a New York vocalist who has astonishingly managed to reproduce the classic sound of Al Green in full flight. His voice isn't quite as syrupy, naturally, but he's got the woozy Hammond organ and the fat brass down to a tee. And the song itself isn't at all bad either."^[5]

Track listings

• CD / 12"

1. "Let Love Rule" – 5:42
2. "Empty Hands" – 4:42
3. "Blues For Sister Someone" – 3:00
4. "Flower Child" – 2:56

• CD / 12" another version

1. "Let Love Rule" – 5:42
2. "Cold Turkey" (Live) at Los Angeles – 5:25
3. "My Precious Love" (Live) at New York – 3:00

• 7"

A. "Let Love Rule"

B. "Empty Hands"

• Limited Edition 10"

A. "Let Love Rule" – 5:39

B1. "If Six Were Nine" – 6:44

B2. "My Precious Love" – 7:08

Charts

Chart (1990)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)[6]	36
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[7]	92
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[8]	23
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[9]	26
UK Singles (OCC)	39
US Billboard Hot 100	89

Members

• Lenny Kravitz – vocals, guitar, bass, drums
• Henry Hirsch – organ
• Karl Denson – saxophone

References

1. Molanphy, Chris (July 15, 2023). "Lenny on Mars Edition". Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia (Podcast). Slate. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
2. "Let Love Rule". Discogs. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
3. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2009-07-24. Retrieved 2009-04-28.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
4. Lambert, Matt (October 5, 2009). "Schofield Is Just Getting Started Where Others Might End". Motionographer. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
5. Giles, David (1989-10-28). "Singles" (PDF). Music Week. p. 29. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
6. "Lenny Kravitz – Let Love Rule". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved July 3, 2022.
7. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. 1990-08-18. Retrieved 2021-06-20.
8. "Nederlandse Top 40 – Lenny Kravitz" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
9. "Lenny Kravitz – Let Love Rule" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.