Hair
Larry Graham Lyrics
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"Is that really all your hair?"
I just tell 'em, "If it ain't
Then it sure don't mean
That now I can't"
I just don't believe it's fair
To judge a girl by the length of her hair
Take two words like "hip" and "square"
The truth will shine and not your hair
Even the blind can almost see
What's outside you and inside me
Down or high, truth or lie
A weak girl's laugh can be
A strong girl's cry
Black or blond 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 girl's laugh can be
A strong girl's cry
In Larry Graham's song "Hair," he addresses the societal obsession with hair length and how it is used to judge individuals. Graham rebukes the notion that hair length is an accurate measure of a person's value or worth. When people ask him if his hair is real, Graham responds by saying that if it isn't, it doesn't change anything about him as a person. He emphasizes that hair length should not be the basis for how a person is viewed or judged.
In the second verse, Graham contrasts the descriptor words "hip" and "square." He argues that what is truly important, what transcends physical attributes like hair, is the truth within us. Our actions and character define us, not our appearance. Graham also touches on how people's struggles, regardless of their external appearance, can be just as difficult and impactful on their lives. He highlights the strength it takes to confront difficulties and encourages society to see past hair and other surface-level factors.
The song's message is a powerful commentary on societal superficiality, and Graham's insistence on valuing people based on their internal qualities reflects a more profound understanding of human worth.
Line by Line Meaning
People ask me everywhere
Everywhere I go, people ask me a question
"Is that really all your hair?"
The question that people ask me is whether all the hair on my head is actually mine or not
I just tell 'em, "If it ain't
In response, I simply tell them that if I am wearing artificial hair, then it doesn't matter because
Then it sure don't mean
the state of my hair doesn't have any implications on the fact that
That now I can't"
I am still able to do the things that I want to do regardless of my hair
I just don't believe it's fair
I personally don't believe it is right
To judge a girl by the length of her hair
to evaluate a woman based on the length of her hair is not fair
Take two words like "hip" and "square"
Consider two words that represent different concepts, such as 'hip' and 'square'
The truth will shine and not your hair
What matters is the truth, not one's appearance, which will be revealed accordingly
Even the blind can almost see
The blind can almost see what's on the surface
What's outside you and inside me
What's on the outside of a person (including appearance) isn't as important as what's within
Down or high, truth or lie
In any situation (whether it be negative or positive) the truth should be acknowledged
A weak girl's laugh can be
Something that someone may perceive as a sign of weakness, such as a girl’s laugh, can actually signify internal strength
A strong girl's cry
Alternatively, what may appear to be a sign of weakness such as a girl’s cry, may actually be a sign of strength
Black or blond or nappy or fair -
Variations in the texture or color of someone's hair, such as black, blond, nappy or fair doesn't matter and shouldn't be used to pass judgment on a person
You can't judge nobody by hair
Hair is not sufficient as a judgement criterion for any individual
If I thought that you would care
If I believed that people would care or be negatively affected by the revelation that my hair isn't natural
I'd wear a wig up under my hair
I would wear an artificial hairpiece underneath my hair for the sake of keeping up appearances
Contributed by Christian 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.