Hairspray started out as a movie in 1988 before it became a well-loved Broadway musical. In 2007, the musical Hairspray went back to its cinematic roots with a new film adaptation. The star-studded cast included Christopher Walken, John Travolta, Amanda Bynes, Elijah Kelley, Queen Latifah, Allison Janney, Brittany Snow, Michelle Pfeiffer, and in her breakout role, Nikki Blonsky.
The historically relevant storyline uses the power of music to reveal the horrific effects of racism and segregation. The songs have inspired a nation of avid fans and musical theatre performers. Here are the songs sung in the movie, in increasing order of Spotify listens. Listen to the full album on Spotify, and enjoy the movie on Netflix.
You're Timeless to Me: Over 3M
Though it isn't listened to as often, "You're Timeless to Me" is a sweet duet for Edna and Wilbur Turnblad. Christopher Walken's gentle voice is just right to open the song, and John Travolta is cute as can be with the dialogue snippet, "Oh, Wilbur, I love you." The similes and rhymes used throughout the song are so clever; it's definitely worth listening to again.
It's Hairspray: Nearly 5M
This is the title song for the Miss Hairspray competition. It showcases James Marsden's vocal talent and reminds the audience why the musical is called Hairspray in the first place. It easily fits the movie's 1960s aura: "Forget the milkman, the only thing better than hairspray (Hairspray, wow!), that's me!" Little does everyone know, Tracy will sneak in inside a giant hairspray can to turn this contest upside down.
Big, Blonde and Beautiful: 6M
The Queen Latifah version of this song is much more popular than the Michelle Pfeiffer and John Travolta version, but "Big, Blonde and Beautiful" hits all the right notes. It is Motormouth Maybelle's anthem of beauty, originality, and self-acceptance. The text's innuendo fits right into the spirit of the movie.
(The Legend of) Miss Baltimore Crabs: 7M
In Michelle Pfeiffer's big number, she regales the "Corny Collins" kids with her past of pageantry. Pfeiffer's character, Velma von Tussle, is stuck in her glory days. Those days reek of prejudice, racism, and exclusion, and Velma prides herself on her evil powers. Velma's daughter, Amber von Tussle (played by Brittany Snow), jumps on the bandwagon to make fun of Tracy.
It Takes Two: 7.5M
Zac Efron slows things down with the jazzy lines of "It Takes Two." It's a romantic ballad that lets the audience in on a deeper side of Efron's character, Link Larkin. "I'm your king, and you're my queen, that no one else can come between. It takes two, baby, it takes two." It isn't the most memorable song on the movie's soundtrack, but it makes for easy listening.
I Know Where I've Been: 8M
This is an emotional piece all around, but it's so important for fans of the musical to listen carefully to the lyrics. "There's a road we've been travelin', lost so many on the way. But the riches will be plenty, worth the price we have to pay." The Black community in the film continually pays a price just for the color of their skin, and Maybelle's song drives their solemn march of protest. The Black Gospel influence of the choir on this track is the perfect underpinning for Queen Latifah's soulful delivery of this powerful music.
The New Girl in Town: Nearly 10M
A pre-Pitch Perfect Brittany Snow and her minions battle it out with the Dynamites over "The New Girl in Town." It's a catchy song that captures the in-crowd's fear of the new girl, Tracy.
The two groups aren't actually singing together--it's a montage in which "The Corny Collins Show" reveals separate performances of the song, pitting the white young women against the Black women. And the latter women, the Dynamites, blow the Amber brigade out of the water.
Run and Tell That: 11.5M
"Run and Tell That" is Elijah Kelley's time to shine. As Seaweed, Kelley sings vivid lyrics: "The blacker the berry, the sweeter the juice...the darker the chocolate, the richer the taste." He takes the audience through his neighborhood for the number, and his sister Little Inez, played by Tayla Parx, delivers a challenging vocal and dance solo that adds so much to the heart of the whole film.
Welcome to the 60s: 11M
This is one of the snazziest numbers in the show. Tracy is persuading her mother, Edna, to go out on the town with her. Tracy exclaims, "You gotta get yourself a brand new start!" And that's exactly what the mother and daughter team set out to do. Edna is embarrassed to leave her home at first, but Tracy takes her out shopping for some dazzling new clothes, and the two have a ball throughout the song. Though the soundtrack just credits Nikki Blonsky and John Travolta, the track would be nothing without the booming vocals of the Dynamites. Their talents are surpassed by none.
The Nicest Kids in Town: 12M
"The Nicest Kids in Town" serves as an introduction to "The Corny Collins Show." All the kids on the program "brought to you by Ultraclutch Hairspray" get to say their names and show their stuff. The song perpetuates the station's racism by including the words, "nice white kids who like to lead the way, and once a month we have our 'Negro Day.'" When Tracy gets a spot in the group, she beams from ear to ear and cries, "And I'm Tracy!"
I Can Hear the Bells: Nearly 14M
This is the song of a girl who's in love. Tracy Turnblad makes this a memorable number as she acts out her theoretical relationship with Link Larkin. "I Can Hear the Bells" imagines the couple from their quick interaction in the school hallway, to their dream first date, to their wedding day. Tracy gets the audience in the palm of her hand with this number as she sings about how she will get the guy despite what others say about her. And in the end, she's right!
Ladies' Choice: 15M
This is Zac Efron's spicy solo number, but his eye is caught by the rockin' dance moves of Tracy. She outshines all the other girls who are dancing, and Link starts singing directly to her.
He gains more energy and fuel when he starts looking at Tracy, much to the dismay of Amber and company. It certainly foreshadows the action to come as interest between Tracy and Link grows.
Good Morning Baltimore: 17M
This song sets up the movie's location: Baltimore, Maryland. It also sets up the bubbly and musical protagonist of Hairspray, Tracy Turnblad. She is enthusiastic for the day ahead, and as she passes the flasher and the bum, she believes that "every day's like an open door. Every night is a fantasy. Every sound's like a symphony." And we believe it with her.
Without Love: 19M
This bop made Zac Efron's admirers love him even more. Link Larkin begins by singing to Tracy's picture, since she is in jail. In the meantime, Penny and Seaweed sing their love to one another. After Seaweed frees Penny from house arrest, the couple go to free Tracy. Link continues to sing in Tracy's room while the others muse about life without love. More excellent similes and metaphors abound: "Without love, life is like a beat without a drummer."
You Can't Stop the Beat: 35.5M
Far and away the most popular song of Hairspray, "You Can't Stop the Beat" has a clear and triumphant message. Times must change for the better, and no one can stop these characters: No one can stop Seaweed and Penny from being together. No one can stop Tracy from singing and dancing. No one can stop Edna's happiness. It's some of the best writing in the movie, and some of the greatest energy from the characters in the film. Maybelle proclaims, "Tomorrow is a brand new day, and it don't know white from black."