| "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair" | |
|---|---|
| Song | |
| Published | 1949 |
| Composer(s) | Richard Rodgers |
| Lyricist(s) | Oscar Hammerstein II |
"I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair" is a song from the musical South Pacific, sung by Nellie Forbush, the female lead, originally played by Mary Martin in the 1949 Broadway production. Her character, fed up with a man (Emile De Becque) and singing energetically in the shower, claims that she will forget about him. The song was written by Rodgers and Hammerstein in response to Martin's request. She had starred on Broadway for years and Martin suggested that she wash her hair on stage during the performance.[1][2]
It was Mary herself who suggested washing her hair on stage as she sang "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair," which she did for over 1,000 performances.