35 Best Songs About Hair

Hair is a sign of beauty and a symbol of power in countless cultures. It’s understandable why there are so many songs that focus on hair. Whether they’re cutting it, dyeing it, letting it down, whipping it, or just showing it off, there are more songs about hair than you probably realize!

It’s tough to narrow down the best ones, but we’re here to help. Read on for the best songs about hair and see if some of your familiar favorites made the list.

“She’s Always in My Hair” – Prince

Song year – 1985

Starting off the list with some rock royalty, we have Prince’s 1980s anthem. Even though the song was originally a b-side, it quickly grew to be one of the most beloved songs in Prince’s entire discography.

It’s easy to see why even with a casual listen. Prince mixes psychedelic rock into his unique sound while singing about someone that keeps him grounded and happy. It’s a heart-warming, groovy track that remains as iconic today as it was in the 80s.

“Pencil Thin Mustache” – Jimmy Buffet

Song year – 1974

A beach day is never complete without listening to Jimmy Buffet. Written as a western swing, the song looks back at the popular culture of Buffet’s childhood with a casual sense of nostalgia. Rather than focusing on long flowing locks of hair, the song focuses on the iconic pencil-thin mustache worn by characters like Boston Blackie.

“Black Is the Color of My True Love’s Hair” – Nina Simone

Song year – 1959

Nina Simone’s impact on the world of music is difficult to summarize, and this cover is one of her most iconic songs. Though not an original piece from front to back, Simone’s cover of this iconic traditional folk ballad is among the most popular renditions around.

Simone weaves her mournful voice and incredible piano playing to bring listeners in through the ballad. It’s enough to move even the sturdiest of listeners to tears, hanging on Simone’s every word. There’s a reason she became such a legend, and this song proves it.

“The Haircut Song” – Ray Stevens

Song year – 1987

Injecting a bit of comedy into the topic of songs about hair, Ray Stevens comes with a hilarious classic. Telling the story of a narrator coming into town and needing a haircut, the lyrics focus on the strange journey. From a macho barbershop to a religious barker delivering a sermon mid-haircut, Stevens’s song makes us all happy to have a reliable barber.

Though the song has a comedic focus, there’s still one lesson to take away from the track – don’t let a stranger cut your hair.

“Bad Haircut” – The Squids

Song year – 2017

Speaking of Bad Haircuts, The Squids come into our list with another song about a style that’s significantly more disastrous. With another focus on comedic storytelling, the garage punk band from Chicago brings aggression and anger to having a bad haircut.

The song opens with a blunt declaration that the narrator intends to kill the person cutting their hair. Repeatedly questioning how the barber managed to get a job, the narrator asks how they could manage to walk down the road looking as they do.

As the song ends, the narrator continues to bemoan their fate. The song continues with a final verse of the narrator invoking Baby Jesus and telling others never to go into the barbershop.

“Hair” – Ashley Tisdale

Song year – 2009

The late 2000s and early 2010s had Disney and Nickelodeon stars breaking into the music scene left and right. When Ashley Tisdale took her spot in the music industry, she did so with a song about making bad hair look good.

Tisdale sings about enjoying having unkempt hair and how sexy she feels when her partner runs their fingers through her hair in the morning. Celebrating how good she makes “messy” look, she continues with teasing lyrics encouraging her partner to tousle and touch her hair. It’s a fun, sexy celebration of making bedhead look great.

“ Hair Up” – Justin Timberlake, Gwen Stefani, Ron Funches

Song year – 2016

Timberlake, Stefani, and Funches teamed up with DreamWorks on this track to provide a hair-focused song for DreamWorks’ film, Trolls. Based on the iconic striking hair of the characters in the movie, the artists weave several influences and genres into a single song.

The song takes the form of a trap track at some points and a slow dance number before turning into a club dance song. Sampling classical tracks and featuring some of the most notable musicians in the industry, it’s a fun, feel-good song about letting your hair do what it wants.

“Thru My Hair” – Teo

Song year – 2018

Teo’s seductive track holds similar energy to Tisdale’s as the singer encourages their partner to keep running their fingers through his hair. Saying how hard it is to get them out of his head, the song uses acoustic instrumentation and steady beats to bring a relaxed, romantic “slow jam” vibe.

As the song goes on, the narrator talks about not wanting to go on and party. Instead, he just wants to lay there and relax while the girl he loves while she runs her fingers through his hair – again and again. It’s a relaxing track of maybe the best way to spend the night.

“Let My Hair Down” – Nelly Furtado

Song year – 2006

Nelly Furtado’s mid-2000s track about letting your hair down is one of the most empowering on this list. Focused on self-acceptance and looking good, the song brings in heavy beats and danceable rhythms to make sure the listener is feeling it.

The lyrics on this track are a bit repetitive, but that only serves to make it an instant club classic. Nelly mentions over and over that they want to let their hair down and have something to help them jump around. It’s a strong, fun song that will get you shaking your hair and dancing all night.

“Chick Wit da Braids” – Mario

Song year – 2002

Mario’s early 2000s pop track focuses on a titular woman with braids, ogling her from afar. The narrator speaks about how much more attractive she is both in comparison to his ex and his current girlfriend, staring at her without concern for the consequences.

As the song continues, the narrator decides he has room to make a move since the woman’s ex is locked up. Talking about how jealous her incredible looks make the rest, it’s a great song to make you want to braid up your hair and toss on your DK shades. But, maybe don’t use it as a relationship guide.

“Flip My Hair” – Jessie James Decker

Song year – 2009

Coming in as a bonus track from Jessie James Decker’s second album, “Southern Girl City Lights,” this song quickly became an anthem of empowerment. The song begins with critiques from others, quoting people that have questioned the singer in the past and told them they need to be doing more with their life.

From there the song continues into a beautiful country anthem about discarding the views of others and flourishing for yourself. As Decker sings about flipping her hair to the other side to toss away the expectations of others, listeners can’t help but sing along. It’s a powerful story about getting revenge through finding success.

“Whip My Hair” – Willow

Song year – 2010

Speaking of moving your hair around, few songs about hair are more iconic than Willow Smith’s 2010 banger. Daughter of Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, this song earned the 11-year-old singer an NAACP Image Award.

A darker side to the song is that Willow would eventually come to say she had suffered from the fame it brought. Even as a child of stars, being propelled into the spotlight caused the young woman to develop some nasty coping habits. While others found the anthem empowering, Willow found herself stressed beneath the stardom.

Still, few people don’t recognize the track nowadays. You’ll find this song playing in clubs across the nation more than a decade later.

“The Girlie Had a Mustache” – DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince

Song year – 1989

Speaking of the Smith family, DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince were the talks of the 80s and 90s. One of their most popular songs, “The Girlie Had a Mustache” tells the story of a miscommunication that leads to quite the altercation. By that age’s standard, it was pretty comedic, but by today’s, the song comes off as slightly misogynistic.

Telling the story of a narrator finding a beautiful woman, Smith raps about how great the woman’s body is before hearing their voice. Shocked and stunned, Smith is horrified to find that the person they’re admiring is a man.

After getting beaten up by the man, Smith sits and wonders how he didn’t notice that the woman had a mustache the whole time.

“Good As Hell” – Lizzo

Song year – 2016

When it comes to empowerment and body image approval, few modern names are more recognizable than Lizzo. Singing about beauty and loving yourself, Lizzo comes through on this track with a song about getting over a heartbreak.

Lizzo encourages a woman to understand that the man she’s been stressing over doesn’t have feelings for her anymore, and that’s the end of it. Instead of moping and letting him take up more of her time, she needs to move on and focus on herself.

Tossing hair, checking nails, and feeling great –  this is one of the most empowering tracks on this list. Whether you’re getting over a heartbreak or just want to dance around, Lizzo’s beats and lyrics can’t be missed.

“I Am Not My Hair” – India.Arie (Feat. Akon)

Song year – 2006

Hair might be a symbol of beauty, but that doesn’t mean it’s all someone is. India.Arie and Akon wanted to make sure everyone understood that there’s more to someone than what their hair looks like through this powerful track.

Focusing on emotional liberation, the track focuses on racial tensions and discrimination. It looks at how some traditionally black hairstyles are seen as unprofessional or looked upon negatively, India.Arie declares that people are what lives within them. No matter what your hair looks like, you’re beautiful inside and out.

“My Crown” – Kelly Rowland

Song year – 2007

Kelly Rowland must have found herself agreeing with our previous entry, as she comes through with a track that preaches the same message. This powerful song focuses on people being more than their hairstyle. Fixating on hair as a crown instead of something to judge others by, it’s a beautiful track about embracing your uniqueness.

“Hair Too Long” – The Vamps

Song year – 2018

Of course, just because hair isn’t something to judge someone by doesn’t mean it can’t be worn out of spite. In this entry, The Vamps sing about weaponizing a haircut to upset someone else.

After a breakup, the singer decides to focus on everything they can do now that they couldn’t do in their relationship. Now he can sing his ex’s least favorite songs, make out with her friends, and grow his hair out too long. It’s a somewhat funny song with a bit of spiteful energy that plenty of people can relate to after a bad breakup.

“Let Your Hair Down” – Magic!

Song year – 2014

Magic! exploded into the industry with their hit song “Rude” in the early 2010s and came ready to play with some incredibly empowering follow-up tracks. Focusing on the loved one of the singer, this track focuses on how the woman’s hair symbolizes her elegance and freedom. Weaving in reggae tones and bright vocals, it’s a song as beautiful as the woman he’s singing about.

“The Beauty Within” – Dead Prez

Song year – 2010

Sticking with themes of beauty, Dead Prez comes through with another song about embracing who you are. The rap focuses on authentic love and respect for black women and the natural beauty of their hair. Struck by the beauty of a passing woman, the lyricist speaks about the beauty of black queens and hair kept to its natural glamor.

“Flowers in Your Hair” – The Lumineers

Song year – 2012

Telling a story of a reminiscent childhood, The Lumineers land on the list with another gorgeous love song. Focused on the flowers that the singer’s childhood friend and unrequited love wore in her hair, he ruminates on not returning the love his friend gave to him.

By the end, he sings about hoping he isn’t too late to embrace her. It’s a heartwarming track about embracing the good in your life while it’s there instead of waiting until it’s too late.

“Hairdresser on Fire” – Morrissey

Song year – 1988

Morrissey is one of the most recognizable names in 80s music, and tracks like this make it clear why. Opening with mournful strings and a quiet piano, the song quickly blossoms into a full pop-rock fusion. Morrissey sings about his inability to get an appointment at his local hair salon and how difficult that might make it to win over the woman of his dreams.

“Pull My Hair” – Bright Eyes

Song year – 1998

Conor Oberst’s work in Bright Eyes would lay the groundwork for the emo and indie scenes of the coming decades – a scene he’s still a prominent figure in. With the album “Letting Off the Happiness,” Oberst sings many mournful tracks. Often focusing on love, depression, and a reliance on substances, the album became a titan of emo.

Few are quite as emotional as this entry into the list. Wondering if his passion for his lover is gone, he sings about wanting to revive that passion and get rid of the boredom. Encouraging his lover to pull his hair, bite him, and treat him roughly, it’s a gripping track about replacing love with carnal desire.

“Beard Lust” – Brite Futures

Song year – 2008

Formerly known as “Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head”, Brite Futures enters our list with a song about facial hair. The band loudly proclaims how important it is to take care of your facial hair to prevent it from being scruffy and sparse.

Though the band would eventually part ways in 2012, fans still loudly proclaim their love of beards in the band’s honor. If nothing else, you have to respect their commitment to practicing good personal hygiene.

“Hair” – Lady Gaga

Song year – 2011

Lady Gaga has proven to be one of the most captivating artists of the last 20 years.

With this track, Gaga took on the narration of a young woman being banned from coloring her hair by their parents. Wanting to express themselves by coloring their hair, the narrator proclaims that they’ve had enough and demands freedom.

As a bright disco track, you’ll still find this song on dance floors across the world. Once the horns come in on the chorus with the hopping synths, it’s impossible not to jump along.

“Bluish” – Animal Collective 

Song year – 2009

Animal Collective is known for their trippy, otherworldly songs, and “Bluish” is no different. This disorienting track pairs with a music video like something out of a dream. As the electronic instrumentation swells, it’s impossible not to feel entranced by the space-like themes and get as lost in the music as the singer is in his lover’s curls.

“Sister Golden Hair” – America

Song year – 1975

A long-distance lover marks America’s entry to our list. Singing about a golden-haired woman that’s taken his heart, the lyricist is worried about the commitment that proclaiming such a love would require. Unable to stop thinking about her, the man rambles on about life without commitment.

“Hairspray Queen” – Nirvana

Song year – 2017

Nirvana remains one of the most recognizable names in grunge music, and tracks like “Hairspray Queen” are sure to keep that the case for decades to come. Kobain sings with repetition on ringing ears and crystal lockets. Reminiscing on youth, enemies, and innocence, the track holds everything that made Nirvana such a massive name.

“my hair” – Ariana Grande

Song year – 2020

Hair symbolizes many things, but for Ariana Grande, it’s a metaphor for trust and love. This seductive track shows the singer opening herself up to her lover. She’s giving her partner the chance to touch her hair, while she sings about intimacy and the need for care. It’s a gentle, quiet track that showcases the more reserved side of love.

“Almost Cut My Hair” – Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

Song year – 1970

Released in 1970, this track focuses on hippie culture and how hair can symbolize rebellion. Discussing a society that saw long hair as a sort of “freak flag,” the track talks about leaving your hair long with pride to spite a system you don’t have faith in.

The song would eventually become one of the most notable songs of Crosby’s career. Ironically, he would later state that the song had the most juvenile lyrics he’d ever penned. Despite this juvenile nature, he also states that there’s a certain emotional impact to the song that can’t be denied.

“Cut Your Hair” – Pavement

Song year – 1994

Pavement’s “Cut Your Hair” has a somewhat similar message to “Almost Cut My Hair.” Focusing instead on the music industry rather than society at large, Pavement sings about how important image is in the industry – to the point of eclipsing most other features.

Looking from the perspective of a struggling rock musician, it follows a drummer searching for a band. Finally finding an ad, he decides to go and get his hair cut to fit the image the band seems to be chasing, changing himself to fit their standards.

“Devils Haircut” – Beck

Song year – 1996

Beck’s track “Devils Haircut” earned not only its spot on this list, but also on Q Magazine’s “1001 Best Songs Ever” back in 2003. Released in 1996, the track title refers to the hairstyle and Beck’s desire to change his hair to match what he sees. It’s an aggressive blues track that would become one of the most memorable of all of Beck’s incredible catalog.

“Don’t Touch My Hair” – Solange Knowles (Feat. Sampha)

Song year – 2016

Ariana Grande might like having her hair touched, but the feeling isn’t universal. In this track, Solange treats their hair as an extension of herself. Her pride, emotion, feelings, and identity is within her locks, and touching it without consent is as good as assault.

The song’s message is clear – don’t go touching what you haven’t been invited to. Solange Knowles and Sampha bring a hypnotically beautiful melody to the message, making it a fantastic addition to our list.

“Get a Haircut” – George Thorogood & the Destroyers

Song year – 1993

Clean your act up, cut your hair, stop being a slob – that’s what Thorogood has to say on this track. Bringing an injection of humor to parenting a rebellious teen, Thorogood highlights what it’s like to be the underperforming child in a family that wants you to be something you aren’t.

Like other tracks on this list, hair becomes a symbol for self-expression and rebellion. Thorogood puts in a bit of bragging at the end by flaunting making it big with his rock band. He’s off living life as a rock star while the brother he was always compared to is stuck with a haircut and a “real job.” This is a hilarious, yet very “in-tune” anthem for anyone wanting to live their dreams and fight conformity.

“Big Hair” – The Bellamy Brothers

Song year – 1995

One of the most iconic looks in the American South is long, tousled-up locks – and that’s just what the Bellamy Brothers have to talk about on this track. Speaking from the point of view of a redneck, the track brings in some humorous images with a man getting tangled up in his partner’s big hair.

His lady friend uses her hair as a symbol of self-expression and beauty, flaunting the dark roots of her blonde hair. It’s a song about doing what you want and wearing your hair however you like – you’ll still find love (especially in the South!).

“Hair” – The Cowsills

Song year – 1969

Closing out the list, our last entry is a song with another comedic twist. The Cowsills sing about being heavily hairy – high and low all day, every day. The singer insists that he’ll grow his hair as long as he can with no desire to tame it.

The hair gets tousled by the breeze, caught in trees, and proves a home for fleas. It may not be the most hygienic way for a singer to display their individuality, but their hair won’t be tamed either way. This is one of the most iconic songs about hair that has stood the test of time, and we can’t apologize if it gets stuck in your head now!

Top Songs About Hair, Final Thoughts

Hair has been used as a symbol for rebellion, love, attraction, culture, beauty, and countless other things in music. These tracks are just some of the amazing ways artists have chosen to make art about hair.

If you want more musical lists, browse the rest of our website to find top lists with some of the best music ever made!