John Legend has rewritten "Baby It's Cold Outside", which will be featured on the latest version of his 2018 album, A Legendary Christmas, to remove controversial lyrics.
The song, originally written by Frank Loesser in 1944, was criticized for being a, as a Salon article puts it, a "date rape anthem". In the article, journalist Stephen Deusner examines the lyrics where a woman hesitates to spend the night at a man's house, but he keeps coming up with reasons to make her stay. The problematic lines are "My answer is no" and "Say, what's in this drink?"
"It’s all too clear that he’s a predator and she’s prey," writes Deusner. "It offers a weird sense of intimacy, which may be reassuring, even comforting around the holidays but only makes the Wolf’s pursuit of the Mouse that much creepier."
Variety writer Chris William in his article believes that the song is more than just about a sexual invitation: "'Baby, It’s Cold Outside' is the story of a woman doing battle — not with a guy who won’t take no for an answer, but with the expectations of a society that won’t take yes for an answer."
Legend's version
Legend, according to a Variety article, has changed the lyrics of "Baby It's Cold Outside" with Natasha Rothwell of the HBO television series Insecure and sang it with Kelly Clarkson. The new lyrics are: "What will my friends think..." "I think they should rejoice..." "...if I have one more drink?"
Deana Martin, daughter of Dean Martin, who recorded a version of "Baby It's Cold Outside' in the past, criticized Legend's decision to change the lyrics in an interview with Good Morning Britain.
"He's stealing the thunder from Frank Loesser's song and from my dad," said Martin. "He should write his own song if he doesn't like this one, but don't change the lyrics. It's a classic, perfect song."
The other previous covers of the song were performed by Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Lady Gaga and Tom Jones.
Legend's album will be out on November 8, 2019.
