Hairspray 1988: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack - John Waters

This is the original soundtrack to the 1988 film starring Ricki Lake and Divine, set in 1962 Baltimore, where teenager Tracy Turnblad dreams of dancing on a local television show while challenging the era’s racial segregation.

The soundtrack reflects John Waters’ affection for obscure oldies, regional dance records and wonderfully offbeat teen-pop. Rather than relying exclusively on familiar chart hits, it brings together vintage recordings with a quirky, rebellious spirit. The sleeve notes shown in your photos capture Waters’ personal enthusiasm for these forgotten musical gems. 

Track listing

Side A

1. “Hairspray” — Rachel Sweet with Deborah Harry

2. “The Madison Time” — The Ray Bryant Combo

3. “I’m Blue (The Gong-Gong Song)” — The Ikettes

4. “Mama Didn’t Lie” — Jan Bradley

5. “Town Without Pity” — Gene Pitney

6. “The Roach (Dance)” — Gene and Wendell

Side B

7. “Foot Stompin’” — The Flares

8. “Shake a Tail Feather” — The Five Du-Tones

9. “The Bug” — Jerry Dallman and the Knightcaps

10. “You’ll Lose a Good Thing” — Barbara Lynn

11. “I Wish I Were a Princess” — Little Peggy March 12. “Nothing Takes the Place of You” — Toussaint McCall