"Bali Ha'i," also spelled "Bali Hai," is a song from the 1949 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical South Pacific. The name describes a magical island that can be seen from a distance but cannot be reached. It was originally inspired by the view of Ambae Island from nearby Espiritu Santo in Vanuatu, where author James Michener was stationed during World War II.
InSouth Pacific
In the musical, Bali Ha'i is a volcanic island that can be seen from the island where most of the story happens. The soldiers view Bali Ha'i as a beautiful and unusual place, but it is not allowed for them to visit, except for officers. The leader of Bali Ha'i, named Bloody Mary, does business with the soldiers. Soon after Lt. Joseph Cable arrives, she sings her mysterious song "Bali Ha'i," which has a strange musical background, to try to persuade him to visit her island. She does not tell him that she hopes he will meet and fall in love with her young daughter, Liat.
Resemblance to score forBride of Frankenstein
Some experts have noticed that the opening melody of "Bali Ha'i" sounds similar to the "bride motif" in Franz Waxman's music written for the 1935 film Bride of Frankenstein. Both melodies include a pattern of three notes.
Cover versions
In 1949, several recordings of the show tune appeared on the best-selling music charts. Perry Como's version reached the highest position at number 5. Other recordings that appeared on the charts included Paul Weston and his Orchestra at number 10, Bing Crosby (recorded March 10, 1949) at number 12, Peggy Lee at number 13, and Frank Sinatra at number 18. Later, Harry James included a version of the song on his 1955 album Jazz Session (Columbia CL 669). Andy Williams performed the song on his 1958 album Andy Williams Sings Rodgers and Hammerstein. Sergio Franchi added the song to his 1965 RCA Victor album The Songs of Richard Rodgers. In the late 1980s, The Meat Puppets began performing the song live. They later released it as a B side to their single "Sam" in 1991.
Connections to actual islands
"Bali Ha'i" was inspired by the real island of Ambae, which was previously known as Aoba Island. Ambae is located in Vanuatu, a place that was called New Hebrides when the song was written.
From Espiritu Santo Island, where James A. Michener was stationed during World War II, Ambae can be seen on the horizon. Michener wrote about Ambae in his book Tales of the South Pacific, which became the basis for the musical South Pacific. He described the island as a peaceful, distant place that symbolized innocence and happiness, which is why the song expresses a feeling of longing. In his memoir The World Is My Home (1992), Michener wrote about how he saw a sign with the name "Bali-ha'i" on a tree in the Treasury Islands. He wrote it down in a notebook, thinking he might use it someday.
In the 1958 film version of South Pacific, Bali Ha'i was shown as Tioman Island in Malaysia. However, the scenes were actually filmed on the north shore of Kauaʻi. Mount Makana on Kauaʻi was used to represent Bali Hai and is now called Bali Hai. Tunnel's Beach is often called "Nurses' Beach," and the scene where Bloody Mary sings "Bali Ha'i" takes place on Hanalei Bay.
Influence on popular culture
Mr. Bali Hai is the name of a mixed drink that was created at the Bali Hai restaurant on Shelter Island in San Diego, California.
The song appears in an episode of 3rd Rock From the Sun, where Tommy dreams that his choir teacher sings the song in a seductive way to him while Sally, Dick, and Harry call to him from a boat far out at sea.
" Bali Ha'i " is the sixth episode of the second season of the American television drama series Better Call Saul, a spinoff prequel to Breaking Bad. In the episode, the main character Jimmy McGill sings the song over the phone to Kim Wexler.
The song is played in the background during a dinner scene at the beginning of the 1999 film American Beauty.
Bali Hai is the brand name for a beer made by Bali Hai Brewery in Indonesia.
Italian Swiss Colony produced the "pop wine" Bali Hai during the 20th century.
New Zealand comedian/writer Barry Crump called the Baháʼí Faith "Bali Ha'i" while describing his conversion to the religion in his autobiography The Life and Times of a Good Keen Man (1992).