No. 134 - Lady Gaga’s “Hair” changed my life

The song that saved Aaron Stewart

Mar 27, 2026

This Song Changed My Life is an independent music publication featuring weekly essays from people all around the world about the songs that mean the most to them. Created (and illustrated) by Grace Lilly.

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• 3 min read •

Anyone who knows me knows I love Lady Gaga. From the moment I first saw her music video for “Just Dance” on VH1’s Jump Start while getting ready for school, to the present day, traveling the country and abroad to the beaches of Rio de Janeiro to see her, my identity has been heavily shaped by Lady Gaga. But I want to take you back to a very specific moment.

Picture it: it’s the spring of 2011, and the world is a very different place. Covid-19 is nonexistent, eggs aren’t expensive, and “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” has just been repealed. Then there’s me. A fresh 17-year-old finishing up his junior year of high school, still trying to understand, acknowledge, and accept himself at a time when being gay is becoming less taboo and a progressive liberation is underway. Lady Gaga’s Born This Way album explodes upon its global release, filled with chart-topping anthems, club-defining hits, and rebellious meaning. It quickly becomes the soundtrack of my life. One song, however, stands out.

When I first heard “Hair,” I was immediately pulled in. While it’s sonically a timeless marvel that blends Euro-pop club beats with melodies influenced by classic rock, its lyrics convey something more profound.

For years, I struggled to accept my sexuality. It was a long ordeal that even involved religious consultations with a pastor from my childhood. I had already experienced (and enjoyed) relations with men, however, a lingering fear of rejection and disappointment fueled my ongoing confusion and heartache. I longed for a sense of peace. I feared spiraling as the burden of shame, depression, and lack of self-worth became crippling. How could I help myself without feeling judgment or guilt?

I remember hitting repeat on “Hair” like I was chasing a high. It became a daily mantra. I found comfort in the messages of individuality and freedom of expression. The rebellious and intuitive way Gaga expressed herself through her hair, a feature so many of us either underestimate or take for granted, was representative of her — and my — yearning for freedom from societal norms. It was awe-inspiring. As a teenager continuing to navigate who I was, “Hair” brought clarity.

Hearing that electrifying chorus…

I’ve had enough, this is my prayer
That I’ll die living just as free as my hair
I’ve had enough, I’m not a freak
I just keep fightin’ to stay cool on these streets
I’ve had enough, enough, enough
And this is my prayer, I swear
I’m as free as my hair
I’m as free as my hair
I am my hair
I am my hair

It did more than change me.

It saved me.

To this day, I credit “Hair” for pulling me back from a place that I may not have been able to return from on my own. It provided light in my life, especially in moments of darkness. It brought me understanding, acceptance, and peace.

Though my world has changed a thousand times in the 15 years since “Hair” was released, there is still a sense of peace that comes to me with every listen.

(And yes, I do recognize the irony given that I barely have any hair myself these days. Thank you, genetics!)

The fact that I have the opportunity to reflect on how I have been able to grow, and how I’m exactly who I’m supposed to be — how I have been able to enjoy such beautiful moments at her concerts and build relationships with some of the most amazing people I know — speaks volumes about the impact of not just the song, but the artist behind it. She knows how to extend her hand and pull us “Little Monsters” out.

While, at times, months can pass between listens, I still hold “Hair” close to my heart and know that it will always be there for me. ◆

About Aaron

Aaron Stewart was born and raised in Virginia. While he is a devout Little Monster (Lady Gaga fan), he admires music that spans multiple genres and generations. His other passions include traveling, food, and his cats.

Instagram @aarontstewart

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