The band's origins date from when Santana guitarist Neal Schon formed the band Azteca along with Larry Graham (bass guitar) and Gregg Errico (drums), both from Sly and the Family Stone, and Peter Sears (keyboards), from Hot Tuna and Jefferson Starship. Santana bass guitar player Tom Rutley would move into to the bass spot with Azteca. That band, like Santana with heavy Latin influences, would eventually morph into Graham Central Station, while Schon would found Journey.
Graham Central Station's biggest hit was Your Love, which charted at number 9 in 1975. The group integrated Graham's slap bass style along with influences ranging from marching band to gospel. They played with the dichotomy between the funk rock star image and the "sanctified" gospel group image. Some of their recordings feature their then Warner Bros labelmates Tower of Power horn section. Graham went solo in the later 1970's having a chart hit with "One in a Million, You".
While no longer as popular as in the 70's, Larry Graham (born in Beaumont Texas in 1946) continues to tour & play music into the 21st century, most notably with Prince with whom he shares an interest in the Jehovah's Witness religion. In 1999, Graham recorded an album for Prince's label under the Graham Central Station moniker that featured old Sly Stone era bandmates Cynthia Robinson and sax player Jerry Martini and performed on Prince's "Rave Un2 2000" live DVD and appeared as a featured act throughout Prince's Jam of The Year tour.
Hair
Graham Central Station Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They say, is that really all your hair?
I just tell them it it ain't
Well it sho' don't mean that now I cain't
'Cause I just don't believe it's fair
To judge a man
By the length of his hair
The truth will shine and not your hair
Even the blind can damn near see
What's outside you and inside me
Down or high, truth or lie
A weak man's laugh can be
A strong man's cry
Black or blonde or nappy or fair
You can't judge nobody by hair
If I thought that you would care
I'd wear a wig up under my hair
Down or high, truth or lie
A weak man's laugh can be
A strong man's cry
People ask me everywhere
Is that really all your hair?
I just tell them if it ain't
Well, it sho' don't mean that now
I cain't
I just don't believe it's fair
To judge a man by the
Length of his hair
The song Hair by Graham Central Station addresses the issue of hair being used as a criteria for judging a person. In the first verse, Larry Graham is being questioned by people about whether all of his hair is real, to which he simply responds that it doesn't matter because he doesn't believe in judging someone by the length of their hair. He sees it as unfair to discriminate or judge someone based on their hair, and by extension, their appearance.
The second verse expands on this idea and questions the validity of external appearances as a means of assessing someone's character. Graham argues that looks can be deceiving and that the truth about someone's personality or qualities is not determined by the way they dress or the length or quality of their hair. He suggests that people should be judged based on their actions and what's on the inside, rather than their outward appearance.
The chorus reinforces this message, emphasizing that hair color or texture should not be used to judge anyone, and that Graham himself would wear a wig if he thought it would make others care more about his character than his hair.
Overall, Hair is a song about acceptance and embracing individuality. Graham's message is that people should be judged by their actions and who they are on the inside, rather than what they look like on the outside. It's a reminder to not be shallow and to look past superficial characteristics and appearances.
Line by Line Meaning
People ask me everywhere
The singer is constantly asked about his hair.
They say, is that really all your hair?
People question if the singer's hair is real.
I just tell them it it ain't
The singer admits that his hair is not all real.
Well it sho' don't mean that now I cain't
The singer suggests that his hair doesn't affect his abilities.
'Cause I just don't believe it's fair
The singer believes that judging someone based on their appearance is not fair.
To judge a man
The singer believes that it's unfair to judge someone based on their appearance.
By the length of his hair
The singer uses the length of hair as an example of something people shouldn't judge others based on.
Take two words like hip and square, well
The singer suggests that people should focus on words that describe traits, not physical appearance.
The truth will shine and not your hair
The singer suggests that a person's character and values matter more than their physical appearance.
Even the blind can damn near see
The singer suggests that even those who can't see can detect someone's character and values.
What's outside you and inside me
The singer suggests that what's inside a person is more important than what's outside.
Down or high, truth or lie
The singer suggests that a person's character can be revealed in both positive and negative situations/truths and lies.
A weak man's laugh can be
The singer suggests that a weak person may attempt to hide their true feelings with a laugh.
A strong man's cry
The singer suggests that a strong person may exhibit their true feelings through their actions, including crying.
Black or blonde or nappy or fair
The singer notes different hair types and colors as examples of things people should not judge one another on.
You can't judge nobody by hair
The singer outright states that one should not judge others based on their hair.
If I thought that you would care
The singer suggests that if others cared enough about his hair, he would wear a wig.
I'd wear a wig up under my hair
The singer suggests that he would wear a wig if others cared enough about his hair.
I just don't believe it's fair
The singer repeats his belief that it's not fair to judge others based on physical appearance.
To judge a man by the
The singer repeats his belief that one shouldn't judge others.
Length of his hair
The singer once again uses hair length as an example of something people shouldn't judge others on.
Contributed by Emily T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@christopherpetersen4989
I had the luck and honor of running into Larry Graham at the grocery store one night. I was star struck because he's been an idol of mine since I first heard his playing when I was 12 years old. He was the nicest guy and stood there chatting with me and my wife for a few minutes and took a picture with me. I still have the picture framed and hanging up in my home office. Larry is an amazing musician and human being.
@rmis32
World's greatest inventions - 1. The wheel 2. Larry Graham's funky bass
@woody95124
Yep!
@pryzmcat
yep
@broq9194
The wheel ain't all that great
@victito8
I think we could live without the wheel...
@peponation
@@victito8 lol exactly! I read God's day not in that order, the wheel is needed less
@alanpettysr191
I remember that when this song came out, all the bass players here in Philly had to learn this song. If you couldn't play Hair, you were not funky.
@charleskelly4125
Bobby Byrd.. in Philly... nuff said
@alanpettysr191
Bobby Byrd was a killer Bassist back in the day.