10 Songs About Hair That’ll Lift Your Spirits
We all have some kind of attachment to our hair. For some of us, it is a fashion statement. For others, it’s our identity. However you connect with your crown, there’s no question that there’s a handful of songs about hair that you love—and perhaps a few you never knew existed.
So in this article, I’m going to provide you with my favorite hair related songs, and hopefully, you’ll walk away from this article having discovered one or two brand new tracks that end up on your playlist.
So let’s get started!
I Am Not My Hair by Indie.Arie
Many of us get extremely wrapped up in every minute detail when it comes to our hair. And it can kind of be all consuming. In a weird way, we can get lost worrying about how our hair looks or what it represents.
But in this song, Indie.Arie expresses how she is more than her hair. She dives into her childhood and talks about her various protective styles as a girl with afro-textured hair. This is a hair texture that grows in tiny, ribbon-shaped follicles bringing in the “coiled” look.
With fighting hair discrimination (the CROWN Act, for example) and unlearning internalized stereotypes in the Black community involving hair, this song is all about India.Arie letting go.
Good hair means curls and waves (no)
Bad hair means you look like a slave (no)
At the turn of the century
It’s time for us to redefine who we be
This song is the perfect anthem for any black girl that may be struggling to love their kinks and curls. There is no such thing as “good hair”. Any hair that’s healthy is good hair.
Hair by Lady Gaga
Now, on the opposite end of the hair spectrum (at least in comparison to “I Am Not My Hair” by India.Arie), is this Lady Gaga anthem. Where Arie was shedding her dependence to her hair, Gaga doubles down on its significance.
This song begins with a young girl sharing a story of her mother cutting her hair at night. She feels that her parents are holding her back from her true identity—whatever that may be.
Now, it is still unknown why her mother decided to cut her hair, but throughout the rest of the track, we hear her cry for acceptance. Her hair is her treasure, and her ability to change it whenever she wants gives her the type of freedom that she’s been searching for.
Whether she decides to dye it a crazy color or cut it all off completely, her hair is a part of her identity. This song definitely couldn’t go unnoticed when making this list!
My Hair by Ariana Grande
The guitars in the intro of the track instantly drew me in. This song makes me feel so confident. It makes me want to take time with my hair; spending extra time moisturizing my curls. Ariana Grande has been recognized for many things like her incredible vocals.
However, she has also been recognized for her signature high ponytail. I think this song deserves a spot on this list and a spot on everyone’s playlist!
Don’t Touch My Hair by Solange featuring Sampha
Don’t touch her hair, folks. That’s a big no-no.
Solange sings about the culture behind her hair as a Black woman. As most know, African Americans tend to have more coarse hair with many different curl patterns and densities. Due to this, afro-textured hair can be harder to style and maintain.
The repeated chorus of “Don’t touch my hair” is a statement used to tell non-POC to be respectful when it comes to touching, looking, and commenting on hair that is different from their own.
In a Forbes article from 2020, Senior contributor, Janise Gassam Asare creates a list describing the historical context and inequities of black hair and why one should never ask to touch it. This evidence further proves that Solange and Sampha aren’t just singing a song, they are making a statement! This track is definitely worthy of a space on the list!
Let Your Hair Down by MAGIC!
The track title should say enough. MAGIC!’s “Let Your Hair Down” has a summery sound that makes anyone want to take their hair down. The music video also brings the song to life with the beach setting and the wind blowing in everyone’s hair.
This song is perfect for those days when you just want to create memories with the ones you love and nothing else matters.
“Baby let your hair down. Let me run my fingers through it. We can be ourselves now. Go ahead, be foolish”. – MAGIC!
What Makes You Beautiful by One Direction
Almost every girl in 2011 went through a One Direction phase; drawing hearts over their favorite member. This song was the boy’s debut single from their debut album, “Up All Night.”
One Direction tackles the idea of confidence and what makes someone beautiful. Although this entire track doesn’t focus specifically on hair, it is mentioned in the chorus several times. I think this track tells us–the listeners–that our hair is beautiful, and it’s a part of who we are.
Put Your Records On by Corinne Bailey Rae
“You go ahead, let your hair down,” British singer Corinne Bailey Rae sings. The artist even talks about her experience with wearing her hair out for the first time. She told Genius,
“I remember when I first started wearing it out and feeling self-conscious and people were making fun of me as well because it’s so different, and living in England, it was against what was considered to be a nice way to have your hair.”
I absolutely love this subtle yet sweet song. “Put Your Records On,” to me, is just a song about finding freedom in self-expression. When you think of letting your hair down, it’s able to move and flow naturally; it’s completely free. I believe the same idea can be applied to anything in life. Sometimes you just have to let go and be free.
Whip My Hair by WILLOW
This 2010 smash hit was a cultural reset for Gen-Z. WILLOW had kids all over the globe whipping their hair to this song. With a compelling hook and hard-hitting production from Jay-Z, of Roc Nation, there is no way you could just sit still when this played. Daughter of superstars, Will and Jada Pickett Smith, Willow believed that this song was one of her biggest regrets. However, she tells L’Officiel years later,
“I realized that the content in my songs has always been centered around self-love and the universe and our humanity’s divine path, about expressing oneself and being unapologetic,” she continues. “I listened to ‘Whip My Hair’ not too long ago, after many years, and realized that it’s the same message.”
All in all, this track reminds us to have fun, dance, and whip our hair until our head gets tired!
Perm by Bruno Mars
If I could describe this song in one word, it would be funk!
Perm is featured in his 2016 project, “24K Magic.” All of the songs make me feel like a million bucks! This track in particular references the chemicals used mainly in American American culture to smooth or relax the tight curls, making the hair easier to handle. As he states in the chorus,
“Throw some perm on that attitude.”
Bruno wants us to loosen up, similar to the hair, and have a good time. Play this track before stepping out and I assure you that you’ll have a great time!
Hair by Graham Central Station
Hair has become something that’s getting more and more unisex. However, this wasn’t always the case. Long hair has been looked at as “feminine” for many years. Our hair can sometimes cause others to have preconceived notions of who we are. For example, if someone sees a girl with short hair, they may assume that she’s more masculine.
“Hair” by Graham Central Station tells us that we should never judge a man by the length of his hair. Our hair can only define who we are if we let it.
Conclusion
Curly, straight, long, short, braids, twists, afros, dreadlocks: all hair types are unique in their own way. Hair is more than just something that grows from our scalps. For some, it’s a form of self-expression. These songs about hair represent freedom; literally and metaphorically. The overall theme shows that no matter what hairstyle you rock, it doesn’t have to be your only defining characteristic.
You Also Might Enjoy:
- Songs About Believing in Yourself
- Songs About Love at First Sight
- Songs About Anxiety
- Songs About Jealousy
- Songs About Body Parts
- Songs About Storms
