5
Studio album by
Lenny Kravitz
ReleasedMay 12, 1998
RecordedOctober 1997–February 1998
StudioGhetto Lounge Studios and Compass Point Studios
Genre
Length66:00 (original)
75:00 (re-release)
LabelVirgin
ProducerLenny Kravitz
Lenny Kravitz chronology
Circus
(1995)		 5
(1998)		 Greatest Hits
(2000)
Singles from 5
  1. "If You Can't Say No"
    Released: April 20, 1998
  2. "Thinking of You"
    Released: July 6, 1998
  3. "I Belong to You"
    Released: August 3, 1998
  4. "Fly Away"
    Released: November 9, 1998
  5. "American Woman"
    Released: May 10, 1999
  6. "Black Velveteen"
    Released: November 29, 1999
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Encyclopedia of Popular Music[2]
Entertainment WeeklyC[3]
NME4/10[4]
Robert ChristgauC[5]
Rolling Stone[6]
Spin3/10[7]

5 is the fifth full-length studio album by American rock musician Lenny Kravitz, released on May 12, 1998, by Virgin Records. The album produced six singles released over the course of 1998 and 1999.

Background

The album featured such hits as "Fly Away" and "I Belong to You", which helped Kravitz to expand his success in Europe. The album won two Grammy Awards.[8]

5 was re-issued in 1999, including Lenny Kravitz's latest single from the soundtrack of Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, "American Woman", plus a bonus track called "Without You"—initially a B-side to the lead single, "If You Can't Say No".

Initially, the album received mediocre reviews by some critics, and its rise to commercial success was quite slow, until it gained traction towards the end of 1998 and throughout 1999 producing a string of worldwide hits and becoming one of the most successful albums of 1999. Despite paling in comparison in US chart position with Kravitz's other albums, it managed to have a remarkably long chart-life, charting for nearly three years straight on the Billboard 200, two of which were spent in the top 100.

The album gained Kravitz multiple awards nominations and gave him his first two Grammy Awards in the Best Male Rock Vocal Performance category for the hits "Fly Away" and "American Woman".[8]

Critical reception

Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic stated "Without hooks, melodies, and style, Kravitz's Sly, Mayfield, Hendrix, Lennon, and Prince pastiches are a bore. 5 has a few passable cuts, yet it falls short of the quirky hero worship and melodic smarts that made his first three records so enjoyable".[1] Jim Farber of Entertainment Weekly commented "It's useless to keep railing about Kravitz’ endless grave robbing. On 5, he shows no signs of halting his lifts from Sly Stone, Curtis Mayfield, and the Beatles. At least this time he targets some new catalogs (Gary Numan, Depeche Mode)".[3] Robert Christgau wrote "His racially convoluted formalism having long since come clean as a total absence of original ideas, he grabs the brass ring from the back of a tacked-on Guess Who cover best heard on the far more imaginative Austin Powers soundtrack. Lenny, your work here on earth is done".[5] A reviewer of Classic Rock Review added "This winner of two Grammy Awards, successfully found Kravitz both establishing himself as a genuine funk and R&B artist while also advancing his incredibly diverse fusion of rock and soul which he had established early on in his recording career. The result is an accessible and accomplished work that offers an array of sonic candy... While 5 is pretty solid throughout, the second half of the album is where real gems lie with rock, funk and soul musical diversity".[9] Stephen Thompson of The A.V. Club wrote "Kravitz's fifth album—appropriately enough, it's titled 5—has a few exhilarating fragments scattered throughout its 66 minutes. But those moments are too infrequent to be easily extracted... Kravitz's most forgiving fans will appreciate the diversity and sheer volume of 5; everyone else should give it a pass."[10]

Production

In the production of the album, Kravitz worked with digital technology such as synthesizers and tape loops providing the album with a more modern sound. The album contained more of his '70s-inspired songs, funk and soul, mixed with his rock style.

Track listing

All tracks are written by Lenny Kravitz, except where noted. All tracks produced by Kravitz

Standard edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Live"
5:10
2."Supersoulfighter" 4:59
3."I Belong to You" 4:17
4."Black Velveteen" 4:49
5."If You Can't Say No" 5:17
6."Thinking of You"
6:24
7."Take Time" 4:32
8."Fly Away" 3:42
9."It's Your Life" 5:02
10."Straight Cold Player" 4:20
11."Little Girl's Eyes" 7:45
12."You're My Flavor" 3:48
13."Can We Find a Reason?" 6:25
Total length:66:30
1999 re-release bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
14."American Woman"
4:24
15."Without You" 4:46
Total length:75:40

Personnel

  • Lenny Kravitz – vocals, all other instruments
  • Craig Ross – electric guitar, slide guitar, keyboards
  • Terry Manning – toy piano on "I Belong to You" and Screams on "Straight Cold Player"
  • Cindy Blackman – drums on "Straight Cold Player"[11]
  • Jack Daley – bass guitar
  • Michael Hunter – trumpet
  • Harold Todd – saxophone
  • George Laks – keyboards
  • Alex Alvarez – keyboards
  • Stephen Dorff – 'uh' sounds on "American Woman"

Production

  • Engineered by Terry Manning except "American Woman" engineered by Matt Knobel
  • Recorded by Tom "T-Bone" Edmonds
  • Mixed by Manning and Kravitz
  • Pro Tools operation by Matt Knobel
  • Programming by Kravitz, Knobel, Mark Browne and Eric Rehl
  • Horn arrangements by Kravitz, Michael Hunter and Harold Todd
  • Art direction and design by Len Peltier
  • Photography by Mark Seliger

Singles

  • "If You Can't Say No" – No. 48 UK[12]
  • "Thinking of You"
  • "I Belong to You" – No. 71 US,[13] No. 75 UK[12]
  • "Fly Away" – No. 12 US,[13] No. 1 UK[12]
  • "American Woman" – No. 49 US[13]
  • "Black Velveteen" – No. 83 UK[12]

Charts

Certifications

Certifications for 5
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Argentina (CAPIF)[48] Platinum 60,000^
Australia (ARIA)[49] Platinum 70,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[50] Gold 25,000*
Canada (Music Canada)[51] Platinum 100,000^
France (SNEP)[52] 2× Gold 200,000*
Germany (BVMI)[53] Gold 250,000^
Italy (FIMI)[54] 2× Platinum 200,000[55]
Japan (RIAJ)[56] Platinum 200,000^
Netherlands (NVPI)[57] Platinum 100,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[58] Platinum 15,000^
Norway (IFPI Norway)[59] Gold 25,000*
Poland (ZPAV)[60] Gold 50,000*
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[61] Platinum 100,000^
Sweden (GLF)[62] Gold 40,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[63] Platinum 50,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[64] Gold 100,000^
United States (RIAA)[65] 2× Platinum 2,920,000[66]
Summaries
Europe (IFPI)[67] 2× Platinum 2,000,000*
Worldwide — 6,000,000 [68]

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. 1 2 Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Lenny Kravitz: 5". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  2. ↑ Larkin, Colin (2011). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Omnibus Press. ISBN 9780857125958. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
  3. 1 2 Farber, Jim (May 15, 1998). "5". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  4. ↑ Cigarettes, Johnny (15 October 2000). "LENNY KRAVITZ - 5 - 16/5/1998". NME. Archived from the original on 2000-10-15. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  5. 1 2 Christgau, Robert. "Consumer Guide Reviews". Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  6. ↑ Kot, Greg (May 18, 1998). "Rolling Stone : Lenny Kravitz: 5 : Music Reviews". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on January 18, 2007. Retrieved 17 June 2019.
  7. ↑ Lukas, Paul (June 1998). "Quick Cuts". SPIN. SPIN Media LLC: 136. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  8. 1 2 "Grammy awards and nominations". Grammy. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
  9. ↑ "Lenny Kravitz 5". Classic Rock Review. May 12, 2018. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  10. ↑ Thompson, Stephen (29 March 2002). "Lenny Kravitz: 5". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 17 June 2019.
  11. ↑ Nala and the team (December 2005). "Reportage: Cindy Blackman". La Toile des Batteurs. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
  12. 1 2 3 4 "Lenny Kravitz | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  13. 1 2 3 "Lenny Kravitz Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  14. ↑ "Australiancharts.com – Lenny Kravitz – 5". Hung Medien. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  15. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Lenny Kravitz – 5" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  16. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Lenny Kravitz – 5" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  17. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Lenny Kravitz – 5" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  18. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Lenny Kravitz – 5" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  19. ↑ "Lenny Kravitz: 5" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  20. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Lenny Kravitz – 5". Hung Medien. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  21. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Lenny Kravitz – 5" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  22. ↑ "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 1998. 22. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
  23. ↑ "5" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on October 13, 2023. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
  24. ↑ "Charts.nz – Lenny Kravitz – 5". Hung Medien. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  25. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – Lenny Kravitz – 5". Hung Medien. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  26. ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
  27. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Lenny Kravitz – 5". Hung Medien. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  28. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Lenny Kravitz – 5". Hung Medien. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  29. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  30. ↑ "Lenny Kravitz Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  31. ↑ "Italiancharts.com – Lenny Kravitz – 5". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
  32. ↑ "Jahreshitparade Alben 1998". austriancharts.at. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  33. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 1998". Ultratop. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  34. ↑ "Rapports Annuels 1998". Ultratop. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  35. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 1998". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  36. ↑ "Top de l'année Top Albums 1998" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  37. ↑ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  38. ↑ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1998". hitparade.ch. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  39. ↑ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1998". Billboard. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  40. ↑ "ARIA Top 100 Albums for 1999". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  41. ↑ "Jahreshitparade Alben 1999". austriancharts.at. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  42. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 1999". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  43. ↑ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  44. ↑ "Top Selling Albums of 1999". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
  45. ↑ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1999". hitparade.ch. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  46. ↑ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1999". Billboard. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  47. ↑ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2000". Billboard. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  48. ↑ "Discos de Oro y Platino - 2000" (in Spanish). Cámara Argentina de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007.
  49. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1999 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
  50. ↑ "Austrian album certifications – Lenny Kravitz – 5" (in German). IFPI Austria.
  51. ↑ "Canadian album certifications – Lenny Kravitz – 5". Music Canada.
  52. ↑ "French album certifications – Lenny Kravitz – 5" (in French). InfoDisc. Select LENNY KRAVITZ and click OK. 
  53. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Lenny Kravitz; '5')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
  54. ↑ "Italian album certifications – Lenny Kravitz – 5" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Select "2000" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "5" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Album e Compilation" under "Sezione".
  55. ↑ Berne, Terry (24 June 2000). "Virgin". Billboard. Retrieved 13 October 2018.
  56. ↑ "Japanese album certifications – Lenny Kravitz – Five" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved June 7, 2020. Select 1998年5月 on the drop-down menu
  57. ↑ "Dutch album certifications – Lenny Kravitz – 5" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Enter 5 in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 2000 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
  58. ↑ "New Zealand album certifications – Lenny Kravitz – 5". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  59. ↑ "IFPI Norsk platebransje Trofeer 1993–2011" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway.
  60. ↑ "Wyróżnienia – Złote płyty CD - Archiwum - Przyznane w 1999 roku" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry.
  61. ↑ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. p. 950. ISBN 8480486392.
  62. ↑ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1999" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-05-17.
  63. ↑ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('5')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien.
  64. ↑ "British album certifications – Lenny Kravitz – 5". British Phonographic Industry.
  65. ↑ "American album certifications – Lenny Kravitz – 5". Recording Industry Association of America.
  66. ↑ Basham, David (27 August 2001). "Calling All Chart Freaks: Michael, Lenny, Bush Under The Microscope". Mtv. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
  67. ↑ "IFPI Platinum Europe Awards – 2005". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry.
  68. ↑ Flick, Larry (14 October 2000). "Kravitz Looks Forward oN 'Hits' Set". Billboard. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
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