Lenny Kravitz

Fame, money, women – you’d think it would be all a rocker needs to get by, but for Lenny Kravitz, it’s just too much. The musician – whose every hair style and clothes change is snapped by the paparazzi – sings “I Don’t Want to Be a Star” on his new album, Baptism. “You miss the way it was before people were, like, hunting you,” he says. But still, there are perks to being a big celeb. Kravitz (who’s dad to Zoe, 15, with ex Lisa Bonet) recently chatted with PEOPLE about some of the pluses – including dating Nicole Kidman and living next door to Courtney Love.

Listening to this album, one might wonder: Are you happy?

Completely. That’s what this album is about: becoming happy and accepting myself. I got a big ol’ grin on my face.

How great is it to be in a band?

It’s pretty awesome. Making music is it for me. But I do also want to have that partner and that home life. But, you know, it will come when it’s supposed to come.

Speaking of that … obviously there’s a high-profile woman that you were linked with in the past year, Nicole Kidman …

Who’s that? Just kiddin’.

How did you two meet?

We met online. No, I’m kidding. We just met through a mutual friend and we’ve become really great friends. And that’s really where it is right now. She’s somebody that I really respect and admire as a person.

Romance-wise, anything going on between you two now?

At this point, honestly, to tell you the truth, we’re connected – no matter how you slice it. We have a connection. Right now we’re great friends, and where it will go or not go, I couldn’t tell you.

You’re about to turn 40. Does it bother you?

Nah. Forty never looked so good. (Laughs.) It’s all good, man. I’m in the best shape of my life. I’m in better shape now than I was in high school, so for me it’s about that. It’s not about a number. My grandfather’s 94. When he was in his 80s, he would ride his bike 40 miles a day.

How do you take care of yourself? Go to the gym? Work out?

I run and I eat really well. I care about what I put inside me.

On the outside, your straightened hair has been a topic of discussion lately.

Has it?

What’s the deal? Did you do it to try a Prince-a-like look for the Hall of Fame show?

No. Just a change. It’s different all the time.

So, who are you listening to these days?

I listen to a lot of classical music around the house. Listen to a lot of jazz. Stuff without vocals, you know?

Why?

When I’m working on so much music of my own, I don’t want to hear much. Not much – listening to Miles Davis is a lot to hear. But it’s not vocal music. It’s like feelings and vibes. A lot of times it’s more abstract.

Does Miles influence you musically?

No. Live there are a few elements that are very jazz/funk, psychedelic jazz – you’ll see that live, ’cause I’m a great fan of that.

Did I hear that Courtney Love is living in your building?

Yeah. She’s my neighbor.

What’s that been like?

You know what? I gotta say: She’s a sweetheart. She’s got her thing, she’s got her stuff, but when you sit and just talk with her, what comes from behind the eyes, despite if she’s f—– up or whatever, there’s a beautiful person inside of there.

What kind of neighbor is she?

Exciting neighbor to have. You open the elevator and she’s naked in the elevator. It’s great! The doorman will say, ‘Oh, you just missed her. She was naked, running through the lobby.’ It’s great, you know? Add a little excitement to the building