Singing in the bathtub
Sitting all alone
Tearing out a tonsil
Just like a baritone
Never take a shower
It's an awful pain
Singing in the shower's
Like singing in the rain Oh there is dirt to be abolished
But don't forget one thing
While the body's washed and polished
Sing brother sing You can yodel opera
Even while you scrub (Ridi Pagliacci)
Everybody's happy
While singing in the tub
I'm forever blowing bubbles
Pretty bubbles in the air
You can be Sinatra
Soakin' as you croon (Shoo-bee doo-bee doo)
Hitting all the high notes
Never out of tune.
Singin' every number
From your favorite show (Oklahoma!)
Droppin' down from forte
To pianissimo
Oh the ring around the bathtub
Isn't so nice to see
But the ring around the bathtub
Is a rainbow to me
Reaching for a towel
Ready for a rub
Everybody's happy while singin' inthe tub
The above lyrics were John Lithgow's version
(he wrote additional lyrics)
Below are some of the original lyrics he didn't use:
Singing through the soap suds
Life is full of hope
I can sing with feeling
While feeling the soap
Be my love, for no one else can
End this yearning
Reaching for a towel
Happy once again
Watching all my troubles
Go swirling down the drain
"Singing in the Bathtub" was written in 1929 by Michael H. Cleary, with lyrics by Herb Magidson and Ned Washington for the film "The Show of Shows". "The Show of Shows" was Warner Bros.' answer to MGM's "The Hollywood Revue of 1929", and "Singing in the Bathtub" spoofs Hollywood Revue's song "Singin' in the Rain". In Show of Shows, the number features an enormous bathtub and is performed by Winnie Lightner and a chorus of male performers (some dressed as women) wearing antiquated bathing suits.
The song was recorded by many performers of the time. In more recent years it was recorded by John Lithgow as well as Mandy Patinkin.
The song appeared in 20 Warner Bros. animated shorts in total. Warner Bros.' ownership of the copyright saved royalty payments. The song is frequently sung by Tweety Bird.
