I Am Not My Hair Lyrics
Dat dad a dat da [4x] Dad a ooh
Age eight I got a Jheri curl
Thirteen I got a relaxer
I was a source of so much laughter
At fifteen when it all broke off
Eighteen and went all natural
February two thousand and two
I went and did
What I had to do
Because it was time to change my life
To become the women that I am inside
Ninety-seven dreadlock all gone
I looked in the mirror
For the first time and saw that HEY....
I am not this skin
I am not your expectations no no
I am not my hair
I ma not this skin
I am a soul that lives within
I like it. I might do that.
Umm I wouldn't go that far. I know .. ha ha ha ha
Bad hair means you look like a slave
At the turn of the century
Its time for us to redefine who we be
You can shave it off
Like a South African beauty
Or get in on lock
Like Bob Marley
You can rock it straight
Like Oprah Winfrey
If its not what's on your head
Its what's underneath and say HEY....
Does the way I wear my hair make me a better person?
(Whoa, whoa, whoa)
Does the way I wear my hair make me a better friend? Oooh
(Whoa, whoa, whoa)
Does the way I wear my hair determine my integrity?
(Whoa, whoa, whoa)
I am expressing my creativity..
(Whoa, whoa, whoa)
Took away her crown and glory
She promised God if she was to survive
She would enjoy everyday of her life ooh
On national television
Her diamond eyes are sparkling
Bald headed like a full moon shining
Singing out to the whole wide world like HEY...
Or if I wanna rock locks
That don't take a bit away
From the soul that I got
Dat da da dat da [4x]
If I wanna where it braided
All down my back
I don't see what wrong with that
Dat da da dat da [4x]
Ooh look she cut her hair!
I like that, its kinda PHAT
I don't know if I could do it.
But it looks sharp, it looks nice on her
She got a nice shaped head
She got an apple head
I know right?
It's perfect
A good song, shes sayin im more than my looks,body,etc. Im the person underneath it all. we are all more than everything superficial.
A lot of people who listen to this song don't realize the importance of hair in African American society. It's usually black women at salons, every 2 weeks to get their hair done. Being African american, and having lots done to my hair, I know this. She realized, like me, that all you're doing is spending money and hours of your time on something that doesn't even matter.
I am not your expectations... I am a soul that lives within. I love this song.
India.Arie is an insparation! This song speaks the truth about everything. I mean, you aren't your hair, your skin, your clothes, your money or anything else. You are you and that's all that counts.
So sisters all around the world, from America to India from Kenya to Portugal let your hair down and smile.
Recently decided to go all natural for good. I've been relaxing and straightning my hair since age 10 and I'm done with it! I've wasted so many hours trying to be something i'm not. Stayed out of the rain, wasted so much money, endured so much pain. And it still looked bad.
this song's so cute and positive. I loove it.
I can't wait until my kinky hair grows out!
I agree with everyone else's POV but this song's also about her struggle with breast cancer. I mean if hair is seen as a symbol of beauty-those without hair shouldn't make them ugly. The song speaks for itself. I am not my hair. I am the soul that lives within. It's not about the superficial.
ok, first thing y'all need to know is that india NEVER had cancer! that part of the song was about melissa etheridge and her performance at the grammys (check it out on the internet!!!)
second, this is one of my favorite upbeat songs by india...she is my favorite singer in the whole world...i just wish she culd make a concert in portugal! damn
yeah, i too had problems with my hair, cuz it has long curls, but while still short its awfull!!! now i let it grow and i love it
I just love my hair!!! it's the name of this song! lol
peace y'all
i absolutely love the verse for melissa etheridge.
I recently watched Good Hair with Chris Rock, and I saw how so many black women feel pressure to get relaxers and perms to be accepted by people in the working world. I hate that natural "black hair" isn't just accepted. It isn't fair for black women to think that they have to make their hair look like ours to be accepted and professional. And this song expresses that same kind of thought. I encourage black women to go natural, and start a revolution. I for one, will accept you.