I love this song but i think its important to realize that this song is neither about going natural, or having natural hair nor is this song directly promoting having natural hair. Its about that no matter what, relaxed, natural, dreds, or bald your hair doesn't define who you are. So having relaxed hair isn't better than natural and vice versa
Actually it's about loving yourself in your most pure form. Our most pure form is natural! Let's set that fact . Next, obviously she isn't starting a war but she is forcing is to accept ourselves!!!!
Agreed, it's a actually much deeper than people realise: it's about the way society and social norms impose both perceptions and roles upon us, based upon hair, skin, clothing: no matter who we are underneath -- it's about racial profiling and stop and search, it's about Stephen Lawrence, it's about George Floyd (albeit pre his murder). ....... This song is also about us as women: today more than ever, we are judged and defined by people, society, for our looks: our hair, skin, makeup, figure, breasts, bum..... A mastectomy, hair loss, alopecia, pregnancy related hair loss, removal of our organs and shape by which we are defined as women...... **WE ARE SO MUCH MORE THAN ALL OF THIS**
I am not my hair I am not this skin I am not your expectations, no I am not my hair I am not this skin I am the soul that lives within If only humans understood this,the world would be so different.
I used men general as in the whole human race. I love the words to this song for us as individual beings as well as united. I will love to meet her even if I don't till heaven
India is this good on guitar herself. She started out very much like a next generation of black folk artists, but got pushed by her record label away from doing music this way. I wish she had signed to righteous babes instead, and been given 100% freedom.
'A most powerful underrated & misunderstood, yet gifted and talented, unique sister out there whom never has gotten the recognition she bluntly deserves. She is simple beautiful, I've always adored her I would drink and swallow her bath water fa sho!!!
I will tell you I am a white woman who has battled my wild and curly hair all my life. My mom cut my hair to make it easier because she could not get a comb through my crazy hair and my dad was always trying to get it to 'obey' with a spit lay down. I am not black, but I do understand a lot. I have had bead ins, sewn in, and clip in extensions so I understand the battle. I now am letting my hair be free as it is a reflection of letting myself, be me. I have always envied black women for so many reasons...beautiful skin, beautiful bodies, etc, but mostly hair, because as a white woman, I have no place to 'fit'. Thank you Indie for singing my heart's cry of many years❤️
Bill Mueller on guitar and background vocals. He was a talent in the metro Detroit area in hay-day of rock'n'roll in the 70's and 80's. Good to see you with India doing great music.
This is song is encouraging people to not judge others on appearance or how to choose to present themselves however I see people are STILL doing so in the comments! It is a real shame women who have transitioned or have 'natural' hair tend to feel a superiority on others, you can love who your are but do not have to put others down doing so. I have been natural all my life yet I will never look down on someone who chooses to perm or weave their hair. There is no reason to. I am not my hair. YOU are not hair. Please remember this.
Man India doesn't know me just like the rest of us, but I just want to say that I appreciate her so much. I literally listened to her on repeat the whole day today. This song in particular (I ended up in tears, but that's neither here nor there). In my opinion she is one of The BEST female artist out there and in addition she has so much style & class. None compare. She is more than just a performer. She sings from the depth of her soul and reaches the depth of our soul. She deserves to be listed as a genre all on her own (like among the other listed categories> ex: Jazz, Hip Hop, Gospel, INDIA ARIE). Thank you Queen for what you do!
Thanks this song will always bring a smile and a tear to my face. My daughter sent this song to me after my amazing sister lost her battle with cancer.
i love this song.. every time i feel like I'm being judge by my outside appearance i listen to this song.. and i remember... " i am not your expectations..
When black men talk about us wearing weave. This is what I think of Everytime. I am not my hair meaning I love myself rather I have weave or not. Rather I shave it off ! I am not your expectations. No
This is an inspiring song;it fills me with healing vibes time & time again. I am a soul in the process of transforming my body's health from breast cancer & bone metastasis stage 4 to perfect health & vitality. At 65 & hairless, I allow my inner beauty to shine forth (friends & family tell me I am radient). I am creating a healing circule of love & tenderness around me which touches them,too,BECAUSE of the way I AM FEELING, I affirm:"I am beautiful,in perfect health,inside and out."
I love it!! I think i like this video better than the original! She looks like she enjoys her music sooooo much and has so much appreciation for the Gifts God has given her and respect for her body, the world, different races, and so on! Its so awesome to know that raw, real, RELEVANT talent still exist. she is the role model for any young child of any race!! Go head India!! you Got it!! Idk who that dude is, but i like him too!
QUEEN INDIA, THIS SONG EXPRESS THE GOD WITH IN YOU AND THE IMAGE OF GOD THAT I SEE WHEN I SEE YOU. ( GOD BLESS QUEEN INDIA ARIE AMEN). AND MAY ( ALLAH PROTECT QUEEN INDIA ARIE AMIN ).IN THIS LIFETIME AND IN THE HEREAFTER AMEN AND AMIN.
Loved this song when it came out.... as I go through the process of breast cancer, awaiting chemo myself now, this song is so much more poignant. Don't think there has been another female musician write about the experience of breast cancer and the collective & diverse meanings given to hair in our cultures and subcultures. Thank you India.
She is beautiful!! She is not your typical pretty however, her beauty is something that radiates from deep down below and shines outward......a rare type of beauty that I wish more women would percieve. She writes and performs music with purpose, that inspires all walks of life. She truly is one of my favorite artists of all time!!
That was so beautiful...When musicians like that come together and make beautiful music you can't help but enjoy it, and you can see that they enjoyed doing it just as much.
i'm watching a new series Turning the Tables with Robin Roberts, and Melissa Etheridge just told the story of India telling her she was inspired by Melissa getting on stage and rockin' out despite being bald from chemotherapy. we are not our hair, or our breasts for that matter....we are the soul that lives within.
I love this song but i think its important to realize that this song is neither about going natural, or having natural hair nor is this song directly promoting having natural hair. Its about that no matter what, relaxed, natural, dreds, or bald your hair doesn't define who you are. So having relaxed hair isn't better than natural and vice versa
your point sounds about as factual as her new accompaniment to the original
Actually it's about loving yourself in your most pure form. Our most pure form is natural! Let's set that fact . Next, obviously she isn't starting a war but she is forcing is to accept ourselves!!!!
Agreed, it's a actually much deeper than people realise: it's about the way society and social norms impose both perceptions and roles upon us, based upon hair, skin, clothing: no matter who we are underneath -- it's about racial profiling and stop and search, it's about Stephen Lawrence, it's about George Floyd (albeit pre his murder).
....... This song is also about us as women: today more than ever, we are judged and defined by people, society, for our looks: our hair, skin, makeup, figure, breasts, bum..... A mastectomy, hair loss, alopecia, pregnancy related hair loss, removal of our organs and shape by which we are defined as women......
**WE ARE SO MUCH MORE THAN ALL OF THIS**
The personal is political, and the political is personal.
I am not my hair
I am not this skin
I am not your expectations, no
I am not my hair
I am not this skin
I am the soul that lives within
If only humans understood this,the world would be so different.
aylix89 ❤
This, this is the dream
More black women need to hear this song.
+crosbonit more men period needs to hear this self-loving and self accepting words of this song. beautiful right?
...
Keyonna Davis Yes. Absolutely. More men need to hear this as well.
Now that you mention it, more men need to hear this than women.
I used men general as in the whole human race. I love the words to this song for us as individual beings as well as united. I will love to meet her even if I don't till heaven
crosbonit for real they do !❤️
This song is so amazing! However it is sad that is very underrated :(
I am not my hair, I am not this skin, I am not your expectations. I am a soul that lives within.
India and the guitarist are great. Love their chemistry.
She's always been blessing to my soul whenever I listen to this particular song. Remain blessed my sister.
India is this good on guitar herself. She started out very much like a next generation of black folk artists, but got pushed by her record label away from doing music this way.
I wish she had signed to righteous babes instead, and been given 100% freedom.
It's wonderful how she sounds as pure as she does on the cd!!!!
'A most powerful underrated & misunderstood, yet gifted and talented, unique sister out there whom never has gotten the recognition she bluntly deserves. She is simple beautiful, I've always adored her I would drink and swallow her bath water fa sho!!!
She has talent and puts positive energy in her songs
I will tell you I am a white woman who has battled my wild and curly hair all my life. My mom cut my hair to make it easier because she could not get a comb through my crazy hair and my dad was always trying to get it to 'obey' with a spit lay down. I am not black, but I do understand a lot. I have had bead ins, sewn in, and clip in extensions so I understand the battle. I now am letting my hair be free as it is a reflection of letting myself, be me. I have always envied black women for so many reasons...beautiful skin, beautiful bodies, etc, but mostly hair, because as a white woman, I have no place to 'fit'. Thank you Indie for singing my heart's cry of many years❤️
I love this version of the song because she clearly had such a good time singing it. Beautiful woman, beautiful song.
Bill Mueller on guitar and background vocals. He was a talent in the metro Detroit area in hay-day of rock'n'roll in the 70's and 80's. Good to see you with India doing great music.
Wonderful performance, wonderful message. This is what real music sounds like. No autotune.
This is song is encouraging people to not judge others on appearance or how to choose to present themselves however I see people are STILL doing so in the comments! It is a real shame women who have transitioned or have 'natural' hair tend to feel a superiority on others, you can love who your are but do not have to put others down doing so.
I have been natural all my life yet I will never look down on someone who chooses to perm or weave their hair. There is no reason to. I am not my hair. YOU are not hair. Please remember this.
Man India doesn't know me just like the rest of us, but I just want to say that I appreciate her so much. I literally listened to her on repeat the whole day today. This song in particular (I ended up in tears, but that's neither here nor there). In my opinion she is one of The BEST female artist out there and in addition she has so much style & class. None compare. She is more than just a performer. She sings from the depth of her soul and reaches the depth of our soul. She deserves to be listed as a genre all on her own (like among the other listed categories> ex: Jazz, Hip Hop, Gospel, INDIA ARIE).
Thank you Queen for what you do!
India. You are beautiful inside and out.
Thanks this song will always bring a smile and a tear to my face. My daughter sent this song to me after my amazing sister lost her battle with cancer.
I've listened to this song many times, but man this last time with this live version just made me cry like a baby throughout. What a poignant song.
the Soul!!!
i love this song.. every time i feel like I'm being judge by my outside appearance i listen to this song.. and i remember... " i am not your expectations..
When black men talk about us wearing weave. This is what I think of Everytime. I am not my hair meaning I love myself rather I have weave or not. Rather I shave it off ! I am not your expectations. No
Her fashions are out of this world! I hear her mother makes everything. I hope she comes out with a line. Such integrity, and elegance.
This is an inspiring song;it fills me with healing vibes time & time again. I am a soul in the process of transforming my body's health from breast cancer & bone metastasis stage 4 to perfect health & vitality. At 65 & hairless, I allow my inner beauty to shine forth (friends & family tell me I am radient). I am creating a healing circule of love & tenderness around me which touches them,too,BECAUSE of the way I AM FEELING, I affirm:"I am beautiful,in perfect health,inside and out."
Praying that 9 years later you are in better health and living your best life 🙏🏾🤗
I love it!! I think i like this video better than the original! She looks like she enjoys her music sooooo much and has so much appreciation for the Gifts God has given her and respect for her body, the world, different races, and so on! Its so awesome to know that raw, real, RELEVANT talent still exist. she is the role model for any young child of any race!! Go head India!! you Got it!! Idk who that dude is, but i like him too!
and this my children is what is called music :)
I love my sister...she makes beautiful music....keep up the good work..
Is she your real sister
How is it that I've never seen this top tier version 🥰😍
Exactly!!! I find this better than the official crunk version with Akon
@@minukarodrigo much better
@@JoskaTheTrend plus this sounds so calm and groovy compared to that crunk version which sounds like a strip club sex/booty anthem imho
I think you and I don't like pop...
@@JoskaTheTrend same!!! I'm against most trends unless they feel good enough haha
You can't not love this song
Her songs are inspirational. She must have been talked about real bad when she was growing up.
So beautiful! You sing it, girl!
i always love her voice...
i love this song it has a true meaning to it.... india arie is so beautiful i love her...
Im a fan from Philippines!! Soulful voice!! Great song!!
Love this song
This is a great message. I love this song. I remember the first time I heard this song... 2006 on Mtv
India Arie is an amazing artist! . . . I AM THE SOUL THAT LIVES WITHIN! Indeed.
I would love to see India Arie act as Rita Marley in a movie. India's music is very inspirational, Beautiful, and so good. She deserves more credit.
This is cool... I have no idea how I got here but this song's good.
One of my favorite artist...Love her....
This song, India called to me. And I found it. So beautiful. Thank you India A and all who praise the God inSIDE. The God inside. The soul. Thanks
This song touches my soul.
THIS LADY WILL FOREVER BE A GREAT SINGER WITH SOUL!!!!LOVE THE LIGHT THAT SHINES THROUGH HER
For all of you that think roots are nappy! Hallelujah Amen 🙏 ❤ Thank You Lord for thick healthy beauty hair from God!
She has such a powerful voice. 😍😍
I love you India.Arie.Keep doin what you doin girl
India you are a south african Beauty! I love you heart and the songs that are manifested out of it! I will forever be a fan....
I love this song so much like the song really talks about how women have difficulties with their hair😊😊😊😊😊❤❤❤❤
The guitar player is Bill Mueller. He is from the Detroit, Michigan area. He was one of Detroit's finest as far back as the 1970's.
I love this version! He gives him a nice touch to the song :)
God made us unique! Thank God for the wigs for that woman or a young girl due to cancer, skin disorder affecting the scalp and etc.
This is a beautiful song. I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you India for this song. Truly an inspiration:)
Keep doing your thang. Your music is beautiful. I love it . Its what the world needs.
Speaking of hair, India...your hair is lovely :) Love this song!
QUEEN INDIA, THIS SONG EXPRESS THE GOD WITH IN YOU AND THE IMAGE OF GOD THAT I SEE WHEN I SEE YOU. ( GOD BLESS QUEEN INDIA ARIE AMEN).
AND MAY ( ALLAH PROTECT QUEEN INDIA ARIE AMIN ).IN THIS LIFETIME AND IN THE
HEREAFTER AMEN AND AMIN.
This Queen right here. Indie Arie’s music is Pure Gold.❤️🥰
Love coming back to this song from time to time, and specifically this version. Acoustic is best. Do it, India.
Loved this song when it came out.... as I go through the process of breast cancer, awaiting chemo myself now, this song is so much more poignant. Don't think there has been another female musician write about the experience of breast cancer and the collective & diverse meanings given to hair in our cultures and subcultures. Thank you India.
She is beautiful!! She is not your typical pretty however, her beauty is something that radiates from deep down below and shines outward......a rare type of beauty that I wish more women would percieve. She writes and performs music with purpose, that inspires all walks of life. She truly is one of my favorite artists of all time!!
She's really pretty. :3
Her voice is awesome chills
indiaa arie woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo da da da da da da the little girl wit the press and curl
Blessings to you and your family 🙏🏽
That was so beautiful...When musicians like that come together and make beautiful music you can't help but enjoy it, and you can see that they enjoyed doing it just as much.
"I am the soul that lives within."🧡💜🧡
Some people pick on me about going natural...but then this song instantly come into my head and I feel better.
Oh Lord, she's something special...
I love you so much India Arie ..... beautiful voice !!
wow I really love this song.
Thank you for this song India!
I love everything about this video
Here in 2020 this is gold
:D I like this version a lot. The one with P!nk is still my favorite.
yea agreed on both accounts! wish they did it live together!
Still listening in 2023! I absolutely love India.Arie!
I have played this song hundreds of times ❤❤❤
i'm 16 and I've recently decided to go natural. This is now my theme song :)
never gets old
Beautiful song 😃Thank you India Irie
I LOVE YOU SO MUCH
If Jason Mraz and her get together to make a song my life will be always complete!
great in every possible way
i loved the harmony... it was really nice
india arie has a nice voice
Another perfect song from Arie
Oh GOD!! I LOVE THIS WOMAN SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow.... Very good performance. What A talented lady!
Beautiful testimony. Blessings into your steady recovery. :-)
Still constantly defining ourselves
I've always loved you Indie. Great reality about our hair.
Still listening in 2017.... this song is so deep.
i'm watching a new series Turning the Tables with Robin Roberts, and Melissa Etheridge just told the story of India telling her she was inspired by Melissa getting on stage and rockin' out despite being bald from chemotherapy. we are not our hair, or our breasts for that matter....we are the soul that lives within.
Love it. So true. 🙏🏼🥰🕉💜
Thank you India ....How well you say It for us all...♥♡♥
Hi 2023 speaking. Howthis song hits is earthshaking
Okay...Did that guatarist want an "India Arie Sandwich" or what? He was totally diggin her! LOVE IT!
this song would make me cry
Brilliant performance
Speaking about not being expectations...her and that guitarist make a good pair.
...Its true..."im not my hair, im not my skin... im the soul that lies within."
I love her voice
cant stop loving this song
That was beautiful