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canetoad

(20,531 posts)
Wed Feb 18, 2026, 11:52 PM Wednesday

Facing a dying nation: Hair redux

I saw it three times on stage; 1971 when still legally not old enough to see nudity on stage. Again a year later Then a strange revival in the grunge cafe district north of the Melbourne CBD. It was good, proficient, technically correct, but something was missing. The ratbaggery of the 60s/70s. And the innocence.

I had the original cast recording on vinyl and damn near wore it out, learning every word. Still listen to parts of it now over five decades on. Young people fought authority, control and death. They knew the world was not OK but they kept their hopes up anyway. There's a beautiful dichotomy to this song. The words say Let the Sun Shine in, but it's written in a minor key; and the music holds a tone of menacing doom.

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Facing a dying nation: Hair redux (Original Post) canetoad Wednesday OP
Recommended. H2O Man Yesterday #1
I'll have to wait until morning to listen. Ilsa Yesterday #2
The innocence. You're so right. yorkster Yesterday #3
I bought it right after I bought my first decent stereo.. multigraincracker Yesterday #4
Memories of slumber parties circa 1969 LSparkle Yesterday #5
Still have it. Bought it for my Figarosmom Yesterday #6
The final scene from Hair (remastered audio). The Flesh Failures/Let The Sun Shine In. Donkees Yesterday #7
I love this song in this film so much!!!!, BigmanPigman Yesterday #9
I was there when some scenes were filmed in Central Park Donkees Yesterday #10
Check out Ed Sullivan.... BigmanPigman Yesterday #11
I have the original album and Diane Keaton is listed on the back cover..... BigmanPigman Yesterday #8

Ilsa

(64,111 posts)
2. I'll have to wait until morning to listen.
Thu Feb 19, 2026, 12:05 AM
Yesterday

Thank you for posting this. I grew up in the 60s, 70s.

yorkster

(3,746 posts)
3. The innocence. You're so right.
Thu Feb 19, 2026, 12:42 AM
Yesterday

Innocence and openness. I remember it.
It was in the air for a few brief years..
Palpable.

LSparkle

(12,156 posts)
5. Memories of slumber parties circa 1969
Thu Feb 19, 2026, 02:02 AM
Yesterday

Everyone (or their older sibling!) had that record when I was in junior high in the Valley suburbs of L.A. Bittersweet now with that innocence in my rearview.

Figarosmom

(10,935 posts)
6. Still have it. Bought it for my
Thu Feb 19, 2026, 02:42 AM
Yesterday

Granddaughter and she sings all the songs like I did. I've been thinking about seeing if I can find the movie streaming somewhere.

BigmanPigman

(54,885 posts)
9. I love this song in this film so much!!!!,
Thu Feb 19, 2026, 04:04 AM
Yesterday

The two guys who sing while marching into the plane are fantastic singers. I have to listen to it on #11 and make sure my doors are closed so my neighbors won't be disturbed by my terrible, yet passionate, voice. I have kept it on my DVR for years.

Damn, now I must listen to it immediately!

BigmanPigman

(54,885 posts)
8. I have the original album and Diane Keaton is listed on the back cover.....
Thu Feb 19, 2026, 04:00 AM
Yesterday

She performed with HAIR in 1968 on Dick Cavett and Johnny Carson. She is the one all in denim and with long hair and bangs...

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