In 2007, Knowles began to record music again. Her second studio album Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams (2008) deviated from the pop-oriented music of her debut to Motown-inspired sounds from the 60's and 70's. It peaked at number nine on the US Billboard 200 and received positive reviews from critics. She followed this up with the 1980s pop and R&B-inspired EP True (2012) on Terrible Records and her imprint Saint Records. Her third studio album, A Seat at the Table (2016) was released to widespread critical acclaim and became her first number-one album in the United States. The album's lead single, "Cranes in the Sky" won the Grammy for Best R&B Performance. Her fourth studio album, When I Get Home, was released in March 2019 to further critical acclaim.
Knowles was heavily influenced by Motown girl groups and says that her first passion is songwriting. Frequently compared by the media to her sister Beyoncé, Knowles has claimed that they have different aspirations and are musically different. She has been ranked by Billboard as the 100th most successful dance artist of all-time, and in 2017 was honored with the "Impact Award" at Billboard Women in Music. Her other ventures include an endorsement deal with Rimmel London and a line of hip-hop-oriented merchandise for young children.
Don't Touch My Hair
Solange Lyrics
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When it's the feelings I wear
Don't touch my soul
When it's the rhythm I know
Don't touch my crown
They say the vision I've found
Don't touch what's there
When it's the feelings I wear
They don't understand
What it means to me
Where we chose to go
Where we've been to know
They don't understand
What it means to me
Where we chose to go
Where we've been to know
You know this hair is my shit
Rolled the rod, I gave it time
But this here is mine
You know this hair is my shit
Rolled the rod, I gave it time
But this here is mine
What you say, oh?
What you say to me?
What you say to me?
What you say to me?
What you say to me?
What you say to me?
What you say to me?
What you say to me?
What you say to me?
Don't touch my pride
They say the glory's all mine
Don't test my mouth
They say the truth is my sound
They don't understand
What it means to me
Where we chose to go
Where we've been to know
They don't understand
What it means to me
Where we chose to go
Where we've been to know
You know this hair is my shit
Rolled the rod, I gave it time
But this here is mine
You know this hair is my shit
Rolled the rod, I gave it time
But this here is mine (mine)
What you say, oh?
What you say to me?
What you say to me?
What you say to me? (To me)
What you say to me? (To me)
What you say to me? (To me)
What you say to me?
What you say to me?
What you say to me?
What you say to me?
What you say to me?
What you say to me?
What you say to me?
What you say to me?
What you say to me?
What you say to me?
What you say to me? (yeah)
What you say to me?
What you say to me?
What you say to me?
What you say to me?
What you say to me?
What you say to me?
What you say to me?
What you say to me?
In Solange and Sampha's song "Don't Touch My Hair," the lyrics serve as an anthem for black women who feel their personal space and identity are constantly invaded. In the song, Solange expresses her emotional attachment to her hair as an extension of her identity and asks others not to touch it. The notion that her hair is hers is taken further as she states that her hair is her glory, something that is to be respected, seen, and not touched.
The lyrics also convey a message of preserving one's sense of pride and speaking one's truth. She urges others not to try and test her mouth, as she knows her own worth and the sound of her voice. The song seems to be a direct response to the commodification and fetishization of black bodies and specifically, black hair.
Solange delves deeper into the themes of black identity, pride, and respect through her references to "the vision" and "the rhythm" that she knows. Black women have historically created and contributed to music forms like blues, jazz, rock, and hip-hop. By saying "when it's the feelings I wear," Solange alludes to the fact that music can transcend its genre and create a space where people of color can express themselves freely without fear of judgment or persecution.
Overall, "Don't Touch My Hair" is a powerful and poignant message for individuals to respect the autonomy of others' bodies and identities, especially black women who are consistently subjected to societal pressures and unwanted advances.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't touch my hair
My hair is a reflection of my inner self and emotions, and I do not want anyone to mess with it or change it.
When it's the feelings I wear
My hair is a representation of my feelings and emotions, and I don't want anyone to interfere with it because it's important to me.
Don't touch my soul
My soul is what drives my creativity and passion, and I don't want anyone to interfere with it or try to control it.
When it's the rhythm I know
The rhythm and beat that I create is a reflection of my inner self and I don't want anyone to mess with or alter it.
Don't touch my crown
My crown represents my vision and ideas that have been realized, and I don't want anyone to disrupt them or change them.
They say the vision I've found
Others recognize the vision and ideas that I have created and achieved.
Don't touch what's there
Leave everything as it is, because it reflects who I am and what I stand for.
They don't understand
Others don't comprehend the importance and value that my hair, soul, and creativity hold in my life.
What it means to me
These elements represent my identity, and what I portray to the world through my music and art.
Where we chose to go
These elements also represent the journey I have been on, and the path I have chosen for myself.
Where we've been to know
The experiences and challenges I've faced along the way have contributed to my growth and identity.
You know this hair is my shit
I am proud of my hair and my identity, and I'm not afraid to assert myself and my values.
Rolled the rod, I gave it time
I have put effort and time into styling and creating my hair, and it is important to me.
But this here is mine
I want to assert that my hair and identity belong to me, and I have the right to express myself without interference.
Don't touch my pride
My pride is deeply connected to my identity and creativity, and I don't want anyone to undermine it or judge it.
They say the glory's all mine
Others have recognized my talent and hard work, and have acknowledged my achievements and success.
Don't test my mouth
I have a voice and use it to speak the truth, and I don't want anyone to challenge or undermine it.
They say the truth is my sound
My music and creative expression are rooted in honesty and authenticity, and I don't want anyone to try to alter or censor it.
What you say to me?
I am challenging anyone who tries to interfere with my identity and creativity, and I am asking them to state their intentions and reasons.
To me
My identity and creativity are personal to me, and I want anyone trying to interfere to acknowledge that.
Yeah
This is a declaration of my intent to stand up for myself and assert my values and identity.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, SC PUBLISHING DBA SECRETLY CANADIAN PUB., WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Sampha Sisay, Solange Knowles, Jonathan Patrick Wimberly, David Andrew Sitek
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind