Hair (Lady Gaga song)
"Hair" | |
---|---|
Promotional single by Lady Gaga | |
from the album Born This Way | |
Released | May 16, 2011 |
Recorded | 2010 |
Studio | Tour Bus (Europe) |
Genre | Disco |
Length | 5:08 |
Label |
|
Songwriter(s) | |
Producer(s) |
|
Audio video | |
"Hair" on YouTube |
"Hair" is a song recorded by American singer
According to Lady Gaga, the melody of "Hair" resembles the work of metal bands
"Hair" has been critically appreciated for its message of self-liberation, individualism and empowerment, though some felt that the usage of the term hair to express these messages was not particularly new. "Hair" charted in most musical markets, reaching the top-ten in New Zealand and Scotland, while in other nations, it charted within the top-twenty, including the Billboard Hot 100 of the United States. Gaga performed the song on Good Morning America as part of their "Summer Concert Series", on Paul O'Grady Live in the United Kingdom, and on The Howard Stern Show. Later the song was added to the set list of Gaga's Born This Way Ball tour (2012–2013).
Background and release
"Hair" was written and produced by Gaga and RedOne, and the name of the song was revealed through an interview with Vogue magazine in February 2011.[2][3] On The Graham Norton Show, Gaga explained the origin of the song, which involves the analogy of her hair with freedom, and how that is the only part of her body she can change without anyone judging her.[4] According to a press listening in February, "Hair" draws inspiration from Pat Benatar's "We Belong", while thematically focusing on empowering lyrics similar to those of "Born This Way".[5] Gaga elaborated on the song's inspiration further with a video posted on her Twitter account: "When I was a kid, I used to always come down the stairs of my parents' house, and they would say, 'Go back upstairs and brush your hair, change your clothes, you can't go out wearing that', and I felt like it was stifling my identity... My hair was my glory. It was the only thing that I could change about myself."[6]
Initially "Hair" was supposed to be released as the second promotional single from Born This Way, following "The Edge of Glory", on May 16, 2011.[7][8] However, after its release to the digital stores, "The Edge of Glory" started selling considerable amount of digital downloads, prompting Gaga to make it the third single from Born This Way.[9] Hence, "Hair" became the first promotional release from the album.[7] Gaga noted that although "Hair" was not planned to be an official single, it could be released as such, if it was to sell well at the digital outlets like "The Edge of Glory".[6][10] Gaga also revealed her artwork for "Hair" on May 13, 2011, on her Twitter account. The black and white cover features a pink-haired Gaga lying upside down on the floor in a sharp-edged leather outfit, which features protruding nipple spikes. It was photographed by her longtime collaborator and friend Nick Knight.[2][6][11] Later on in the same day, Gaga tweeted the line: "The Born This Way Itunes Countdown will release my song HAIR 2moro 1pm PST."[12]
Recording and composition
During an interview with
With
"Hair" was recorded mostly while Gaga was on tour in Europe, but the
Critical reception
"Hair" has received mostly positive reviews. An hour before starting the final leg of
Natalie Finn from
Chart performance
"Hair" charted in most musical markets and its debut became its peak position; the song was present for a maximum of two weeks. In the United Kingdom, "Hair" debuted at number 13 on the
In the United States, "Hair" debuted at number five on the
Live performances
On May 27, 2011, Gaga performed the song on Good Morning America as a part of their "Summer Concert Series".[44] She was dressed in purple horns and a black and blond ponytail, and was placed atop a black staircase, with her leg perched on top of a black unicorn shaped piano. Dedicating the song to her mother, Gaga sang an acoustic version of "Hair", which Sheila Marikar from ABC News reviewed positively, saying that it "really brought the house down."[44] Christian Blauvelt from Entertainment Weekly was also impressed with the acoustic version, saying that "at a keyboard, Gaga's never better at injecting enough passion and commitment to sell even the corniest lyrics about follicular empowerment."[45]
Gaga performed "Hair" on
At French television show Taratata, Gaga performed “Hair” while playing the piano. She appeared in the show in a long turquoise blue wig, that was attached to a replica of the Eiffel Tower, with the word "Paris" written on her chest. After performing the song, she improvised part of the track in French.[48] During her promotional performances of the songs from Born This Way in Taiwan, Gaga sang "Hair" and played the piano in a black bra, against the backdrop of many red lanterns and a red arch, a set created specially for the Taiwan show. She later explained in a press conference the inspiration behind the performance: "Like the gentleman [the host] just mentioned, that lantern means prosperity and it's about the future. I'm always thinking about the future of my generation and the voice of my generation when I write music."[49]
At the
The song was also included in the setlist of her Born This Way Ball tour (2012–2013), where she played the song on a keyboard that was installed on a motorbike.[51] To Kwaak Je-yup of The Korea Times was positive about the performance of the song during the tour saying that, "The highlight of the night was her first slow jam 'Hair,' which she introduced as her favorite track on the 'Born This Way' album. (...) She flubbed her line once and admitted it right away — 'I'm getting too excited (that) I forgot my lines,' she said — but the moment made the experience personal."[52] On the second night of Gaga's show in the Philippines, she addressed the protests by Christian groups against her performances in the country, directly before performing "Hair". While playing the piano she stated that she is aware of the issues around her image and music, she emphasized that she respects all kinds of religion, people and culture – including Filipino culture.[53] She also said that she respects that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but stressed "What I don’t respect is homophobia and hatred…I reject intolerance to the gay community."[53] This drew cheers from the audience. She went on to say that she is aware some are using her name to spread hatred but intended to counter this by continuing to spread "positivity" in her own way.[53]
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Born This Way.[18]
- vocals, songwriter and producer
- recording at Tour Bus in Europe
- Trevor Muzzy – North Hollywood, Los Angeles, California
- Dave Russell – recording and audio engineering
- Clarence Clemons – saxophone
- Gene Grimaldi – audio mastering at Oasis Mastering, Burbank, California
Charts
Chart (2011) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[35] | 20 |
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[54] | 19 |
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[55] | 11 |
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[56] | 11 |
Denmark (Tracklisten)[57] | 29 |
Finland Download ( Latauslista)[58]
|
21 |
France ( SNEP)[59]
|
16 |
Ireland (IRMA)[37] | 14 |
Italy (FIMI)[60] | 5 |
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)[61] | 17 |
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[36] | 15 |
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[62] | 9 |
Norway (VG-lista)[63] | 5 |
Scotland (OCC)[42] | 10 |
South Korea International ( GAON)[43]
|
21 |
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[64] | 9 |
UK Singles (OCC)[65] | 13 |
US Billboard Hot 100[66] | 12 |
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