Song Lyric Sunday #45

This week’s prompt for Jim Adams’ Song Lyric Sunday Challenge is Greet/Hey/Howdy. Lighting on the “Hey” I immediately thought about one of my fave songs by one of my fave artists, oft featured here. In my book, you can’t have too much Lenny.

Thinking of You was the second single released from the album 5  (5th studio album) by Lenny Kravitz. It was released in August 1998 and dedicated to his mother, actress Roxie Roker, who died of cancer in 1995.

The singer told Rolling Stone magazine in 2018:

I wrote this after my mom died. It was a really hard time. It was basically a song to her, just asking her how it was, where she was now, what it’s like. Is it everything you would imagine it to be? It wasn’t an easy song to write; it took a minute. And the chorus was just talking about how I’m doing my best to make her happy and proud: Thinking of you and all the things you wanted me to do be, and I’m trying. It’s just a beautiful tribute to my mother.

This is a touching tribute to Kravitz’s late mother, which he handles with none of the clichéd hand-wringing that far too many other artists might indulge in. Rather, he is the picture of poignant serenity, which only adds to the appeal of the single.

The music video directed by Matthew Rolston consists of Kravitz singing amid background pictures of his mother. It also features Kravitz’s longtime guitarist, Craig Ross, playing a unique percussive element: Heineken bottles.

Lyrics: Thinking of You

Tell me mama is your life a better change?
And tell me mama
Would you live your life the same
Or come back and rearrange?
Tell me mama how is freedom?

Oh I’m thinking of you
And all the things that you wanted me to be
And I’m trying now
Oh I’m thinking of you
And all the things that you wanted me to be

Tell me mama
Are the colors deeper shades?
And tell me mama
Are there great big brass parades?
Does the sun shine night and day?
Tell me mama no more sleeping
Tell me mama no more weeping

I’m thinking of you
And all the things that you wanted me to be
And I’m trying now
Oh I’m thinking of you
And all the things that you wanted me to be
And I’m trying now
Oh I’m thinking of you
And all the things that you wanted me to be
And I’m trying now
Oh I’m thinking of you
And all the things that you wanted me to be, yeah

Hey mama, hey mama, mama
No, no, no, no, no
Oh no, no, no, no, no
Oh no, no, no, no, no
Oh no, no, no, no, no
Oh no, no, no, no, no
Oh no, no, no, no, no
Oh no, no, no, no, no
Oh no, no, no, no, no
Hey

Tell me mama is it just the way they say?
Tell me mama
And tell me mama are you missing me the way
That I’m missing you today?
Tell me mama can you hear me?

Oh I’m thinking of you
And all the things that you wanted me to be
And I’m trying now
Oh I’m thinking of you
And all the things that you wanted me to be
And I’m trying now
Oh I’m thinking of you
And all the things that you wanted me to be
And I’m trying now
Oh I’m thinking of you
And all the things that you wanted me to be
And I’m trying now
Oh I’m thinking of you
And all the things that you wanted me to be
And I’m trying now
Oh I’m thinking of you
And all the things that you wanted me to be
And I’m trying now
Oh I’m thinking of you
Thinking of you
Thinking of you
Thinking of you
Thinking of you
Thinking of you
Thinking of you
Thinking of you
Thinking of you
Thinking of you
Thinking of you
Thinking of you
Thinking of you
Thinking of you
Thinking of you
Thinking of you
Thinking of you
Thinking of you

Writer/s: Lenny Kravitz, Lysa Trenier
Publisher: BMG Rights Management
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Challenge Rules

• Post the lyrics to the song of your choice, whether it fits the theme or not. If it does not fit, then please explain why you chose this song.
• Please try to include the songwriter(s) – it’s a good idea to give credit where credit is due.
• Make sure you also credit the singer/band and if you desire you can provide a link to where you found the lyrics.
• Link to the YouTube video, or pull it into your post so others can listen to the song.
• Ping back to Jim’s post or place your link in his comments section.
• Read at least one other person’s blog, so we can all share new and fantastic music and create amazing new blogging friends in the process.
• Feel free to suggest future prompts.
• Most of all, have fun and enjoy the music.