"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 Mary Virginia Martin (December 1, 1913 – November 3, 1990) was an American actress and singer. A muse of Rodgers and Hammerstein, she originated many leading roles on stage over her career, including Nellie Forbush in ''South Pacific (musica ...

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 Rodgers and Hammerstein was a theater-writing team of composer Richard Rodgers (1902–1979) and lyricist-dramatist Oscar Hammerstein II (1895–1960), who together created a series of innovative and influential American musicals. Their musical ...

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.

PJ Harvey Polly Jean Harvey (born 9 October 1969) is an English singer-songwriter. Primarily known as a vocalist and guitarist, she is also proficient with a wide range of instruments. Harvey began her career in 1988 when she joined local band Automat ...

referenced the song in her 1992 single " Sheela-Na-Gig" with the repeated lyric "gonna wash that man right outa my hair".

Boyfriend A boyfriend is a man who is a friend or acquaintance to the speaker, often specifying a regular male companion with whom a person is platonically, romantically or sexually involved. A boyfriend can also be called an admirer, beau, suito ...

released her cover simply titled "Wash That" in November 2018.

Clairol Clairol is the American personal care-product division of company Wella, specializing in hair coloring and hair care. Clairol was founded in 1931 by Americans Joan Gelb and her husband Lawrence M. Gelb, with business partner and lifelong frien ...

created an ad campaign in the 1980s using the song with the alternative line "I'm gonna wash that gray right outta my hair."

References

Songs about heartache 1949 songs Songs from South Pacific (musical) Songs from South Pacific (1958 film) Songs with feminist themes Songs with music by Richard Rodgers Songs with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II Breakup songs Songs about hair {{show-tune-stub