Bathroom singing

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Bathroom singing, also known as singing in the bathroom, singing in the bath, or singing in the shower is a widespread phenomenon.

Many people sing in the bathroom because it acts as an echo chamber, especially with tiles installed. The multiple reflections from walls enriches the sound of one's voice, and "bathroom singers" enjoy themselves. Small dimensions and hard surfaces of a typical bathroom produce various kinds of standing waves, reverberation and echos, giving the voice "fullness and depth".^[1]

This habit was reported (with an attempt of explanations) centuries ago. For example, Ibn Khaldun in Chapter 1 of his Muqaddimah writes:^[2]

"Likewise, when those who enjoy a hot bath inhale the air of the bath, so that the heat of the air enters their spirits and makes them hot, they are found to experience joy. It often happens that they start singing, as singing has its origin in gladness."

The bathroom singer is an ironic reference to mediocre or amateur singers.

Some celebrities admitted this habit (e.g., Chico Slimani), for some others this singing was even a trigger to their career (e.g., Kishore Kumar).

Jon Anderson had tiles installed in the studio, to simulate the echo effect of one's vocals in a bathroom.

This effect was not used only by singers. Paul Simon ^[3]:

"The main thing about playing the guitar, though, was that I was able to sit by myself and play and dream. And I was always happy doing that. I used to go off in the bathroom, because the bathroom had tiles, so it was a slight echo chamber. I'd turn on the faucet so that water would run - I like that sound, it's very soothing to me - and I'd play. In the dark. 'Hello darkness, my old friend / I've come to talk with you again.'"

[edit] In popular culture

There is a track "Bathroom Singer" on Arno Hintjens' 1988 album, Charlatan
In Pretty Woman, Julia Roberts sings in the bath tub; this was not a "true" bathroom singing: she had her earphones on, so this was rather karaoke or "sing-along".
"Singing in the Shower" is the name of several songs.
Singing in the Bathtub, a 1993 album (and a track in it) by Robert Crumb & Cheap Suit Serenaders, ASIN B000000DSP
A collectible: 1961 Barbie Vintage Fashion: "Singing In The Shower" robe
Reviewers of the 1991 film The Adjuster [2] mention that "the film also pays fairly serious attention to the question why people sing in the shower." ^[4]
One episode of The Flintstones features Barney Rubble being able to sing quite well in the shower (even hitting a note that only dogs could hear). Fred Flintstone convinces him to try out for a talent show, only to learn that outside the shower Barney has no singing ability whatsoever.
In an episode of the animated television series Recess, it was discovered that Mikey had an awe-inspiring singing voice, but he could only sing in the school bathroom. A substitute teacher helped him find the courage to sing in front of an audience, which led to his performance at a school function.
In an episode of The Simpsons ("Homer's Barbershop Quartet"), Barney Gumble is found singing traditional Irish music on the floor of the men's room at Moe's Tavern. He is quickly chosen as a replacement for Chief Wiggum, whom their agent, Nigel, thought was "too Village People".
In Home Alone 2, Kevin McCallister records his uncle singing in the shower, along with some profanity when his uncle sees him. He then uses the tape later in the film to trick the hotel manager into thinking that his uncle is present in the shower of his hotel room and consequently scare the hotel manager out.