Prince was annoyed. Actually, he was probably more than just annoyed; he was exhausted. It was the mid-1980s, and the Purple Rain phenomenon had turned his life into a literal circus. Amidst the screaming fans and the endless demands of superstardom, one person stayed grounded. That person was Jill Jones. She was a backup singer, a confidante, and a muse who somehow managed to deal with his legendary mood swings without flinching.
One day, after she had patiently listened to him vent about his latest frustrations, Prince realized something. He realized that while everyone else was trying to get a piece of him, Jill was just... there. Supporting him. Putting up with his "mess." That realization birthed She's Always in My Hair Prince, a track that started as a "throwaway" B-side and ended up becoming one of the most beloved entries in his entire discography.
It’s a weird song. It’s crunchy. It’s got this grinding, psychedelic rock edge that feels a bit more "gritty garage" than "polished pop." If you grew up listening to the radio in 1985, you probably first heard it on the back of the "Rasberry Beret" 7-inch or 12-inch single. Back then, B-sides were often just filler. But with Prince, the B-side was frequently better than most artists' lead singles.
The Story Behind the Hair
Let’s talk about Jill Jones for a second. If you’ve seen the movie Purple Rain, you recognize her as the waitress at First Avenue with the platinum blonde hair. She wasn't just an actress, though; her voice is all over Prince’s 80s output.
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The lyrics to She's Always in My Hair Prince are surprisingly vulnerable for a guy who usually projected an image of total sexual confidence. He admits to being "preoccupied" and "not very nice." He talks about being "in a funk." Most guys in 1984 weren't singing about how they were kind of a jerk to their girlfriends. Prince was. He was acknowledging that despite his behavior—his "business" and his "misery"—this woman stayed by his side.
The phrase "in my hair" usually means someone is bothering you. It’s a nuisance. But Prince flips it. For him, her being "in his hair" was a form of protection. It was a constant presence that he didn't deserve but desperately needed. It’s an apology disguised as a rock anthem. Honestly, that’s the most Prince thing ever.
The Sound of the Revolution (and a lonely guitar)
Musically, the track is a masterclass in tension. It starts with that iconic, pulsing synthesizer bass and a drum machine beat that feels like a heartbeat skipping. Then the guitar kicks in. It’s not the clean, funky scratching of "Kiss." It’s a distorted, swirling mess of psychedelic rock that sounds more like Jimi Hendrix than James Brown.
- The Vocals: Prince uses his lower register for the verses, sounding almost bored or distracted, which perfectly mirrors the lyrics about being "preoccupied."
- The Scream: You know the one. That high-pitched, soulful Prince wail that happens right before the chorus hits. It’s pure catharsis.
- The Backgrounds: Those eerie, layered vocal harmonies? That’s the classic Revolution sound. It creates a wall of noise that feels claustrophobic yet beautiful.
It was recorded in late 1983 at Sunset Sound in Los Angeles. Think about that. At the same time he was finishing the most famous soundtrack of the decade, he was casually knocking out masterpieces like this in his "off" time. The man’s work ethic was terrifying.
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Why the B-Side Status Matters
There is a specific kind of pride Prince fans feel about She's Always in My Hair Prince. Because it wasn't a "hit" in the traditional sense—meaning it didn't have a flashy music video on MTV every hour—it felt like a secret.
If you knew this song, you were a real fan. You weren't just a casual listener who liked "When Doves Cry." You were someone who flipped the record over. You were someone who dug through the crates. This track became a staple of his live shows for decades, often stretched out into a ten-minute jam session where he could show off his underrated guitar shredding.
Even Sheila E. has talked about playing this song live. The energy in the room changes when that opening riff starts. It’s heavy. It’s emotional. It’s got a groove that is impossible to ignore.
The D'Angelo Connection
You can’t talk about this song without mentioning the 1990s neo-soul movement. Specifically, D’Angelo. In 1997, D’Angelo covered the song for the Scream 2 soundtrack. It was a bold move. He slowed it down, added even more grit, and turned it into a sultry, late-night R&B jam.
That cover introduced the song to a whole new generation. It proved that Prince’s songwriting wasn't just tied to the "80s sound." The bones of the song were so strong that they could be dressed up in 90s soul and still sound revolutionary. It’s one of the few times a Prince cover actually rivals the original in terms of pure vibe.
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The Technical Brilliance Nobody Talks About
We often talk about Prince as a "genius," but we rarely break down why. In She's Always in My Hair Prince, the genius is in the space. He leaves gaps in the arrangement. The drums stop for a split second. The guitar fades out only to roar back in.
He played almost every instrument on the original studio version. He was the drummer, the bassist, the keyboardist, and the guitarist. When you listen to the track, you’re hearing a man having a conversation with himself. He’s layering his own insecurities and his own talent into a four-minute pop song.
It also highlights his ability to blend genres. Is it funk? Yes. Is it rock? Absolutely. Is it soul? Without a doubt. He refused to be boxed in, and this B-side is the ultimate evidence of his refusal to play by the industry's rules.
How to Listen Like an Expert
If you want to truly appreciate this track, you need to find the 12-inch version. The extended mix allows the instrumentation to breathe. You can hear the nuances in the guitar effects—the way the flange and distortion interact.
- Focus on the Bass: It’s subtle, but it carries the entire emotional weight of the song.
- Listen to the Lyrics Again: Notice how he never actually says "I love you." He says "She's always in my hair." It’s an indirect, almost stubborn way of admitting affection.
- Check out the Live at Aladdin Las Vegas (2002) version: It’s one of the best live captures of the song, showing how it evolved from a studio experiment into a rock powerhouse.
The Legacy of a "Minor" Masterpiece
Prince had hundreds, maybe thousands, of songs in his vault. Many of them will never see the light of day. But She's Always in My Hair Prince escaped. It didn't just escape; it thrived.
It remains a testament to the idea that an artist’s best work isn't always their most famous work. Sometimes, the real magic happens in the shadows, on the back of a hit single, or in a late-night recording session when no one is looking. It’s a song about loyalty, recorded by an artist who was famously difficult to be loyal to. That irony isn't lost on the fans.
For anyone trying to understand the "Purple One" beyond the hits, this is the starting point. It’s raw. It’s honest. It’s loud. And honestly? It’s probably the coolest thing he ever did.
Actionable Steps for Music Lovers
To get the full experience of this era and this specific track, follow these steps:
- Hunt for the Original Vinyl: If you can find a 1985 pressing of the "Raspberry Beret" single, buy it. The analog warmth does wonders for the distorted guitar tracks in a way that digital remasters sometimes flatten.
- Compare the Versions: Listen to the 1985 original, the D’Angelo cover, and a live version from the 2010s (like his performance on SNL). Notice how the tempo changes his vocal delivery.
- Explore Jill Jones' Solo Work: Prince produced her self-titled 1987 album. It’s a masterpiece of the "Minneapolis Sound" and provides the necessary context for their creative relationship.
- Analyze the "B-Side" Era: Look into other B-sides from the Around the World in a Day era, like "Hello." It reveals a more paranoid, experimental side of Prince that didn't always make it onto the main albums.
Understanding this song is about more than just hearing a melody; it's about recognizing the humanity behind the superstar. It's about that one person who stays when everyone else leaves.