It features performances from the show's cast, which includes Harvey Fierstein, Linda Hart, Dick Latessa, Kerry Butler, Clarke Thorell, Mary Bond Davis, Laura Bell Bundy, Matthew Morrison, Corey Reynolds, and Marissa Jaret Winokur as the lead character of Tracy Turnblad.

The cast recording earned the 2003 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.

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.

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".

(The Nicest Kids in Town, (The Legend of) Miss Baltimore Crabs, (It's) Hairspray, You Can't Stop the Beat) (Run and Tell That, Big, Blonde, and Beautiful, I Know Where I've Been, You Can't Stop the Beat)