[Talking:] Is that India.Arie? What happened to her hair? Ha ha ha ha ha Dat dad a dat da [4x] Dad a ooh
[Verse 1] Little girl with the press and curl Age eight I got a Jheri curl Thirteen I got a relaxer I was a source of so much laughter At fifteen when it all broke off Eighteen and went all natural February two thousand and two I went and did What I had to do Because it was time to change my life To become the women that I am inside Ninety-seven dreadlock all gone I looked in the mirror For the first time and saw that HEY....
[Chorus] I am not my hair I am not this skin I am not your expectations no no I am not my hair I ma not this skin I am a soul that lives within
[Talking:] What'd she do to her hair? I don't know it look crazy I like it. I might do that. Umm I wouldn't go that far. I know .. ha ha ha ha
[Verse 2] Good hair means curls and waves Bad hair means you look like a slave At the turn of the century Its time for us to redefine who we be You can shave it off Like a South African beauty Or get in on lock Like Bob Marley You can rock it straight Like Oprah Winfrey If its not what's on your head Its what's underneath and say HEY....
[Chorus]
[Bridge] (Whoa, whoa, whoa) Does the way I wear my hair make me a better person? (Whoa, whoa, whoa) Does the way I wear my hair make me a better friend? Oooh (Whoa, whoa, whoa) Does the way I wear my hair determine my integrity? (Whoa, whoa, whoa) I am expressing my creativity.. (Whoa, whoa, whoa)
[Verse 3] Breast Cancer and Chemotherapy Took away her crown and glory She promised God if she was to survive She would enjoy everyday of her life ooh On national television Her diamond eyes are sparkling Bald headed like a full moon shining Singing out to the whole wide world like HEY...
[Chorus 2x]
[Ad lib] If I wanna shave it close Or if I wanna rock locks That don't take a bit away From the soul that I got Dat da da dat da [4x] If I wanna where it braided All down my back I don't see what wrong with that Dat da da dat da [4x]
[Talking:] Is that India.Arie? Ooh look she cut her hair! I like that, its kinda PHAT I don't know if I could do it. But it looks sharp, it looks nice on her She got a nice shaped head She got an apple head I know right? It's perfect.