The cast recording contains seventeen songs from the musical, with music by Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Scott Wittman. The book for the musical is by Thomas Meehan and Mark O'Donnell. Hairspray's music is written and performed to conform to the story's 1962 setting, with influences spanning the genres of doo-wop, rock and roll, soul, and pop.
Sony released the recording on August 13, 2002 (ASIN: B00006AALQ).
"(It's) Hairspray" – Corny and Council Members (2:12)
"Cooties" – Amber and Council Members (1:32)
"You Can't Stop the Beat" – Tracy, Link, Penny, Seaweed, Edna, Wilbur, Motormouth, Amber, Velma, and Company (5:07)
"Blood on the Pavement" – Amber, Link, Velma, and Council Members (0:32)*
*Cut song, but it is included as a hidden song, playing after "You Can't Stop the Beat''
Additional songs and score changes
Because the soundtrack was recorded before previews in New York had begun, several songs in the stage show now differ from the versions recorded for the album, most notably "(The Legend of) Miss Baltimore Crabs" and "Cooties".
A few musical numbers were excised from the cast album entirely, including "The Nicest Kids in Town (Reprise)," "Velma's Revenge," and "The Madison", though the last was included on the 2-Disc Collector's Soundtrack retitled "Boink-Boink".