Almost Cut My Hair

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

About Almost Cut My Hair

"Almost Cut My Hair" is a song by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, originally released on the band's 1970 album Déjà Vu. It was recorded at Wally Heider Studios on January 9, 1970. The song describes a real-life dilemma faced by many hippies: whether to cut one's hair to a more practical length, or leave it long as a symbol of rebellion. It was written by David Crosby, and features solo vocals by Crosby, with the rest of the band joining in on instruments rather than on vocal harmony, as in many of their other songs. Unlike most of the tracks on Déja Vu, the quartet and their studio musicians, Dallas Taylor (drums) and Greg Reeves (bass), all recorded it at the same place and time. It was one of only two songs from the album that Neil Young joined in on, despite not writing. Although the notion of long hair as a "freak flag" appeared earlier, notably in a 1967 Jimi Hendrix song "If 6 Was 9", Crosby's song has been credited with popularizing the idea of long hair as a deliberate and visible symbol of the wearer's affiliation with the counterculture, and opposition to establishment values. The song also writes about the singer's "paranoia" at seeing the police; 


Year:
2006
4:21
127 

Lyrics currently unavailable…


Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

Crosby, Stills & Nash (CSN) is a folk rock supergroup made up of David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash, also known as Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (CSNY) when joined by occasional fourth member Neil Young. They are noted for their intricate vocal harmonies (similar to Simon & Garfunkel), often tumultuous interpersonal relationships, political activism, and lasting influence on American music and culture. All four members of CSNY have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, though Young's multiple inductions were for work not involving the group. more »

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8 facts about this song

Song Composition
1. "Almost Cut My Hair" is a song from the album "Deja Vu" by the rock quartet Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. 2. The song was written and composed by David Crosby, a member of the band.
Lyrics and Theme
3. The song was described as an account of countercultural fear and escapism. 4. The lyrics talk about personal freedom, venting out feelings of paranoia and rebellion.
Musical Arrangements
5. It is known for its distinctive heavy two-part harmony and prolonged outro solo by Neil Young. 6. The song length crosses four minutes, making it one of the longer tracks on the album.
Impact and Reception
7. The song helped the "Deja Vu" album reach number one in the Billboard pop chart. 8. "Almost Cut My Hair" did not release as a single, yet it became a radio favorite and one of the band's signature songs.
Personal Meaning
9. For David Crosby, it served as a personal catharsis since he was going through a difficult period in his life. It symbolized the internal conflicts he felt during the societal norms of the 1970s. 10. The song displays Crosby's emotional state during the time, grappling with the band's sudden surge to fame and other personal issues.
Cultural Significance
11. The infamous phrase "almost cut my hair" reflected the cultural and political divide at the time since long-haired youth were viewed with suspicion and seen as counterculture activists. 12. The song acts as an anthem for the free spirit, reflecting the broad mindset of the 1960s and 70s.
Historical Context
13. It was recorded in the era of the Vietnam War and expressed a sense of fear about changes in American society. 14. Although the song did not explicitly comment on the Vietnam War, the implied themes of freedom and rebellion were prevalent among the protesting youth of the era.
Cover version
15. The song has been covered by various artists throughout the years, including My Morning Jacket and Phish. 16. In 2020, William Prince performed the song in honor of David Crosby at the Winnipeg Folk Festival's "Folk in the Road" concert series.

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