Tunes for Tuesday: Solange “Cranes in the Sky”, “Don’t Touch My Hair”

In this week’s Tunes for Tuesday, we check out Solange Knowle’s two new singles from A Seat At The Table, “Cranes in the Sky” and “Don’t Touch My Hair”.

Solange’s new album, A Seat At The Table, has dropped along with everyone’s jaws. To say this album is a masterpiece is putting it lightly. One need only listen to the first two singles to understand. The videos for both songs only solidify A Seat At The Table as a forerunner for best album of the year- perhaps of the decade.

Think I’m being hyperbolic? Listen for yourself, and let the themes and images sweep you away into a place of hope, dignity, self-respect, self-awareness, self-love, and peace.

“Cranes in the Sky” is a delicate song about feeling lost. It’s about the internal struggle of someone who isn’t exactly sure who they are or where they’re supposed to be and about all of the outward things one will do to try to make it feel better. The song’s lyrics are poetic genius— they tell a story without spoon feeding the listener. Her voice, too, seems ethereal and from another place, entrancing us. The video, then, is a complete work of art complete with stunning backdrops, an intense and delicate wardrobe, and raw beauty in the form of both nature and the women who grace us in the video.

Read the lyrics here, but read them without listening to the song. They will flow like a poem, and stick with you after you’ve finished.

"I tried to drink it awayI tried to put one in the airI tried to dance it awayI tried to change it with my hairI ran my credit card bill upThought a new dress make it betterI tried to work it awayBut that just made me even sadderI tried to keep myself busyI ran around circlesThink I made myself dizzyI slept it away, I sexed it awayI read it awayAway, away, away, away, away, awayAway, away, away, away, awayWell it’s like cranes in the skySometimes I don’t wanna feel those metal cloudsYeah it’s like cranes in the skySometimes I don’t wanna feel those metal cloudsI tried to run it awayThought then my head be feeling clearerI traveled 70 statesThought moving around would make me feel betterI tried to let go my loverThought if I was alone then maybe I could recoverTo write it away or cry it away (don’t you cry baby)Away, away, away, away, away, awayAway, away, away, away, awayWell it’s like cranes in the skySometimes I don’t wanna feel those metal cloudsYeah it’s like cranes in the skySometimes I don’t wanna feel those metal cloudsAway, away, away, away, away, awayAway, away, away, away, away"

“Don’t Touch My Hair”, in contrast of “Cranes in the Sky” is an anthemic R&B ballad meant to both warn and to empower. In a very basic sense, black is beautiful and everyone is entitled to their own persona, their own identity. “Don’t Touch My Hair” is literally talking about hair—people, specifically white people, are infatuated with black hair and seem to think they are entitled to touching it, even when it’s a clear violation of personal space and respect—but is perhaps also speaking of cultural appropriation in a general sense, using hair as both a lyrical and visual example.

The video for “Don’t Touch My Hair” indeed includes several radical, and beautiful, hair styles. Again, the backdrops in this video (much like in “Cranes in the Sky”) are striking, and the wardrobes are impeccably chosen. This video succeeds at breaking down certain stereotypes, allowing people a glimpse into Solange’s mind as a black woman. The pool scene, specifically, drew attention to racial stereotyping, and the individuals in the video give us a sense of true diversity, not only in their hair, but body types and personalities.

Here are the lyrics to “Don’t Touch My Hair”.

"Don’t touch my hairWhen it’s the feelings I wearDon’t touch my soulWhen it’s the rhythm I knowDon’t touch my crownThey say the vision I’ve foundDon’t touch what’s thereWhen it’s the feelings I wearThey don’t understandWhat it means to meWhere we chose to goWhere we’ve been to knowThey don’t understandWhat it means to meWhere we chose to goWhere we’ve been to knowYou know this hair is my shit,rode the ride, I gave it timeBut this here is mineYou know this hair is my shit,rode the ride, I gave it timeBut this here is mine[Solange & Sampha:]What you say, ohWhat you say to me [x8]Don’t touch my prideThey say the glory’s all mineDon’t test my mouthThey say the truth is my soundThey don’t understandWhat it means to meWhere we chose to goWhere we’ve been to knowThey don’t understandWhat it means to meWhere we chose to goWhere we’ve been to knowYou know this hair is my shit,rode the ride, I gave it timeBut this here is mineYou know this hair is my shit,rode the ride, I gave it timeBut this here is mine[Solange & Sampha:]What you say, ohWhat you say to me [x8][Solange & Sampha:]What you say to me [x16]"

Next: Preview Colbie Caillat’s New Album The Malibu Sessions, Tour Info

Solange’s new album, A Seat At The Table, is available now.