Circus (Lenny Kravitz song)

Last updated
"Circus"
Circus by Lenny Kravitz.webp
Single by Lenny Kravitz
from the album Circus
ReleasedDecember 11, 1995 (1995-12-11) [1]
Genre Rock
Length4:48
Label Virgin
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Lenny Kravitz
Lenny Kravitz singles chronology
"Rock and Roll Is Dead"
(1995)
"Circus"
(1995)
"Can't Get You Off My Mind"
(1995)
Music video
Lenny Kravitz - Circus on YouTube

"Circus" is a song co-written and performed by American singer Lenny Kravitz and released on December 11, 1995 by Virgin Records, as the second single from his fourth studio album, Circus (1995). There were produced two music videos for the song: one directed by Ruven Afanador [3] [4] and the other by Martyn Atkins. [5] Kravitz explained to Billboard , "it gets more like a circus with all this suff—management people, fans, bankers, investment people. It's like, My God! What happened? It gets harder to be yourself." [6]

Contents

Critical reception

Steve Baltin from Cash Box described "Circus" as "a slow blues-based rocker with a killer chorus, a smoking guitar solo near the end and a great fade out. Despite all that, it’s not immediately obvious what radio formats will embrace this heavy single." [7] John Perry from NME commented, "Here's Lenny the Krav with another of his homages to the loon pant. Instead of his usual pillion ride on Jimi's big Chopper, this time the Kravster has opted to paint himself a rather weak shade of Blue Oyster Cult." [8] Mark Kemp of Rolling Stone stated, "In the title track of Lenny Kravitz's new album, the singer struggles with the dictates of reality that come to bear on fantasy. "Welcome to the real world", he sings to himself. But in the real world according to Kravitz, rock stars still flash diamond rings and coke spoons, and bumper-sticker platitudes like god is love still soften the blows of the real real world." [9]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Terry Britten, Gerry DeVeaux, Lenny Kravitz

No.TitleLength
1."Circus"4:48

Charts

Chart (1995–1996)Peak
position
Canada Top Singles ( RPM ) [10] 85
Scotland (OCC) [11] 55
UK Singles (OCC) [12] 54

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wonderwall</span> 1995 single by Oasis

"Wonderwall" is a song by English rock band Oasis, written by lead guitarist and chief songwriter Noel Gallagher. The song was produced by Gallagher and Owen Morris for the band's second studio album, (What's the Story) Morning Glory?, released in 1995. According to Gallagher, "Wonderwall" describes "an imaginary friend who's gonna come and save you from yourself".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buddy Holly (song)</span> 1994 single by Weezer

"Buddy Holly" is a song by the American rock band Weezer. The song was written by Rivers Cuomo and released by DGC as the second single from the band's debut album, Weezer (1994). The lyrics reference the song's namesake, 1950s rock-and-roll singer Buddy Holly, and actress Mary Tyler Moore. Released on September 7, 1994—which would have been Holly's 58th birthday—the song reached number two on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and number 18 on the Billboard Hot 100 Airplay chart. Outside the US, the song peaked at number six in Canada, number 12 in the United Kingdom, number 13 in Iceland, and number 14 in Sweden. The song's music video, directed by Spike Jonze, earned considerable exposure when it was included as a bonus media file in Microsoft's initial successful release of the operating system, Windows 95.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Strange Currencies</span> 1995 single by R.E.M.

"Strange Currencies" is a song by American rock band R.E.M. It was included on their ninth studio album, Monster (1994), and was released as the album's fourth single on April 18, 1995, by Warner Bros. Records. The song reached number nine on the UK Singles Chart and peaked at number 47 in the United States. Like "Everybody Hurts" on R.E.M.'s previous album, it has a time signature of 6
8
. The song's music video was directed by Mark Romanek.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Champagne Supernova</span> 1996 single by Oasis

"Champagne Supernova" is a song by English rock band Oasis, written by Noel Gallagher. It is the closing track on the band's second studio album, (What's the Story) Morning Glory? (1995), and was released as the sixth and final single from the album in Australia and New Zealand on 13 May 1996 by Helter Skelter. Paul Weller appears as a guest guitarist and backing vocalist on the track. A music video for the song, directed by Nigel Dick, was released in 1996. The single was not released in the UK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?</span> 1995 single by Bryan Adams

"Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?" is a song written by Canadian musician Bryan Adams, Michael Kamen and Robert John "Mutt" Lange, and recorded by Adams for the 1995 film Don Juan DeMarco, starring Marlon Brando, Johnny Depp and Faye Dunaway. The melody is used as a musical motif through the film, and the song is featured three times in the movie, twice performed by other artists in Spanish, and finally performed by Adams himself during the closing credits. The Adams version of the song, which features flamenco guitarist Paco de Lucia, is featured on the soundtrack album and also on the album 18 til I Die, which was released over a year later.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beautiful Life (Ace of Base song)</span> 1995 single by Ace of Base

"Beautiful Life" is a song by Swedish band Ace of Base, released on October 20, 1995 from their second album, The Bridge (1995). In North America, it was the first single released from the album; in Europe, it followed "Lucky Love" as the second single. Co-written by band member Jonas Berggren and produced by him with Denniz Pop and Max Martin, the single reached number 15 on both the US Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart in December 1995. It reached number one on the Canadian RPM Dance/Urban chart and Billboard's Hot Dance Club Play chart. In 2017, BuzzFeed ranked "Beautiful Life" number 51 in their list of The 101 Greatest Dance Songs Of the '90s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">American Woman</span> 1970 single by the Guess Who

"American Woman" is a song by Canadian rock band the Guess Who, released January 1970, from the album of the same name. It was later released in March 1970 as a single backed with "No Sugar Tonight", and it reached number one for three weeks commencing May 9 on both the United States' Billboard Hot 100 and the Canadian RPM magazine singles chart. Billboard magazine placed the single at number three on the Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1970 list, and it was listed as number five for 1970 on the RPM Year-End Chart. On May 22, 1970, the single was certified as gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It also reached the top ten in the Netherlands, Switzerland and Austria, and the top twenty in the United Kingdom and New Zealand.

<i>Circus</i> (Lenny Kravitz album) 1995 studio album by Lenny Kravitz

Circus is the fourth studio album by American rock musician Lenny Kravitz, released in 1995 by Virgin Records. It reached number 10 on the US Billboard 200 and number five on the UK Albums Chart, becoming Kravitz's first top 10 album in the US and second in the UK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fly Away (Lenny Kravitz song)</span> 1998 single by Lenny Kravitz

"Fly Away" is a song by American singer Lenny Kravitz. It was released as the fourth single from his fifth studio album, 5 (1998). Released to the radio on May 11, 1998, "Fly Away" peaked at number 12 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Outside of the United States, "Fly Away" topped the charts in Iceland and the United Kingdom and peaked within the top ten of the charts in several countries, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Republic of Ireland. The song won a Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Performance in 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Only Wanna Be with You</span> 1995 single by Hootie & the Blowfish

"Only Wanna Be with You" is a song by American alternative rock band Hootie & the Blowfish. After being included on the group's EP Kootchypop (1993), it was released in July 1995 as the third single from their breakthrough album, Cracked Rear View (1994). It peaked at number six on the US Billboard Hot 100, number one on the Billboard Top 40/Mainstream chart, number three on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, and number two on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Are You Gonna Go My Way (song)</span> 1993 single by Lenny Kravitz

"Are You Gonna Go My Way" is a song by American musician Lenny Kravitz, released in February 1993 by Virgin Records as the first single from his third studio album, Are You Gonna Go My Way (1993). The song was written by Kravitz and Craig Ross, while Kravitz produced it. It peaked at number one in Australia and number four on the UK Singles Chart, as well as number one on the US Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart and number two on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. Its music video was directed by Mark Romanek.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">It Ain't Over 'til It's Over</span> 1991 single by Lenny Kravitz

"It Ain't Over 'til It's Over" is a song written, produced, and performed by American musician Lenny Kravitz for his second studio album, Mama Said (1991). Released as the album's second single in June 1991 by Virgin, the song is a mid-tempo ballad musically inspired by Motown, Philly soul, and Earth, Wind & Fire. The horn line at the end is performed by the Phenix Horns from Earth, Wind & Fire. "That song just came out one day, and I knew it had a classic vibe. And I still love that song very much today," Kravitz said in an interview for VivaMusic.com in 2000. The line is based on a Yogiism, or quotation from Yogi Berra: "It ain't over 'til it's over."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Again (Lenny Kravitz song)</span> 2000 song by Lenny Kravitz

"Again" is a song by American rock musician Lenny Kravitz, being the only new song from his first Greatest Hits album, released in 2000. Written, arranged and produced by himself, "Again" was initially set to be on his sixth studio album; however, Kravitz found that the song didn't fit the tone of the album, releasing it instead as the lead single from the compilation on September 22, 2000, through Virgin Records. The mid-tempo rock ballad finds Kravitz wondering if he will ever see his former lover again and if they will reunite once more.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rock and Roll Is Dead</span> 1995 single by Lenny Kravitz

"Rock and Roll Is Dead" is a song by American musician Lenny Kravitz, released in August 1995 by Virgin as the first single from his fourth album, Circus (1995). The song, both written and produced by Kravitz, reached the top 20 in Canada, Finland, New Zealand, and Spain, but it underperformed in the United States, peaking at number 75 on the Billboard Hot 100. The music video for "Rock and Roll Is Dead" was storyboarded by Andrew Trovaioli and directed by Ruven Afanador. It shows Kravitz performing the song with his band, as well as Kravitz with visual artistic related backgrounds. Kravitz was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance for the song in 1996.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Everytime You Touch Me</span> 1995 single by Moby

"Everytime You Touch Me" is a song by American electronica musician Moby, released on February 13, 1995 by Mute and Elektra, as the third single from his third studio album, Everything Is Wrong (1995). Guest vocals on the song are performed by Rozz Morehead and Kochie Banton. It became a number-one hit in Finland and reached the top 20 in Ireland, the Netherlands, and Scotland, as well as on the Canadian RPM Dance chart. Its music video was directed by Julie Hermelin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lenny Kravitz discography</span>

American singer Lenny Kravitz has released 11 studio albums, one greatest hits compilation album, four box set compilation albums, two extended plays, 62 singles, and eight video albums, including three live albums. His debut album Let Love Rule (1989) peaked at number 61 in the US, and while receiving generally positive reviews, it became a huge success in Europe but took a long time to reach success in the US. Its followers, Mama Said (1991) and Are You Gonna Go My Way (1993) sold better overall than his debut, achieving platinum and multi-platinum status respectively, establishing Kravitz in the music industry and expanding his success in Europe and South America. However, despite only a two-year gap between albums, personal issues such as substance abuse problems, the aftermath of divorce, and his mother Roxie Roker's illness led to a decline in commercial sales with Circus (1995).

<i>Raise Vibration</i> 2018 studio album by Lenny Kravitz

Raise Vibration is the eleventh studio album by American rock musician Lenny Kravitz. It was released on Roxie Records via BMG Rights Management on September 7, 2018 and produced seven singles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walk This World</span> 1994 single by Heather Nova

"Walk This World" is a song by Bermudian singer-songwriter Heather Nova. Released in 1994 by Butterfly Records as her first single, the song was included on her second studio album, Oyster (1994). Nova wrote the lyrics, while Felix Tod and Youth produced it. The song was a top 20 hit in New Zealand as well as on the Canadian RPM Rock/Alternative chart. It is her most well-known song, which has led to Nova being considered a one hit wonder in many countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Believe (Lenny Kravitz song)</span> 1993 single by Lenny Kravitz

"Believe" is a song by American musician Lenny Kravitz, released by Virgin Records on May 10, 1993, as the second single from his third album, Are You Gonna Go My Way (1993). It is a rock ballad with string orchestration, and was co-written, arranged and produced by Kravitz, with Henry Hirsch also contributing to the orchestration and composition. Its lyrics concern one being able to achieve freedom and "eternal grace" if they believe in themselves and put their faith in God.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Can't Get You Off My Mind</span> 1996 single by Lenny Kravitz

"Can't Get You Off My Mind" is a song written and performed by American singer and songwriter Lenny Kravitz and released in February 1996 by Virgin as the third single from his fourth studio album, Circus (1995). The song was later included in the albums Greatest Hits (2000) and Lenny (2001) as a bonus track. There are two versions of the music video for the song: one was directed by Matthew Rolston, the other by Jim Gable.

References

  1. "New Releases: Singles". Music Week . December 11, 1995. p. 35.
  2. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas (1995). "Circus - Lenny Kravitz | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic . Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  3. "Lenny Kravitz: Circus (Music Video) (1995)". FilmAffinity . Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  4. "Lenny Kravitz: Circus (Video 1995)". IMDb . Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  5. "Lenny Kravitz: Circus - Version 2, 1996". КиноПоиск. kinopoisk.ru . Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  6. Borzillo, Carrie (12 August 1995). "Kravitz delivers raw circus sound". Nielsen Business Media, Inc. p. 23. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  7. Baltin, Steve (9 December 1995). "Pop Singles" (PDF). Cash Box . p. 7. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  8. Perry, John (9 December 1995). "Singles". NME . p. 36. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  9. Kemp, Mark (21 September 1995). "Album Reviews". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on 4 November 2007. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  10. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2851." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
  11. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
  12. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 6, 2018.