Written by David Crosby "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. 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.
It became one of Crosby's signature songs, and "probably his most important political song". Crosby himself stated "It was the most juvenile set of lyrics I've ever written ... but it has a certain emotional impact, there's no question about that."
Lyrics
Happened just the other day It's gettin' kind of long I could've said it was in my way But I didn't and I wonder why I feel like letting my freak flag fly And I feel like I owe it, yeah ... to someone, yeah Well, must be because I had the flu this Christmas Oh, yeah and I'm not feeling up to par Oh, I tell you baby this increases my paranoia Yeah, like looking in my mirror and seeing a police car Well, well, I'm not, I'm not giving in an inch to fear Well, you know I've promised myself this year Well, I feel oh, like I owe it, I owe, I owe it to someone Oh ... like I owe it to someone
Oh, yes when I get myself together Yeah, you can find me in that sunny southern weather, yeah I'm goin' to find a space inside a laugh, yes Separate the wheat from some chaff Oh, and I feel ... Like I owe it, yeah ... to someone
Songwriter: David Crosby Almost Cut My Hair © BMG Rights Management