(CNN) — John Legend and Kelly Clarkson have put a 21st-century spin on the classic holiday song “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” which has been the subject of criticism for what some listeners see as sexist or nonconsensual lyrics.
The new song, featured in Legend’s holiday album, “A Legendary Christmas: Deluxe Edition,” changes the lyrics to the decades-old version, bringing a more modern ring to the beloved call-and-response tune.
In the original lyrics, written by Frank Loesser in 1944 and made famous by the film “Neptune’s Daughter” in 1949, the male singer seems to be insistently persuading his female guest to stay, despite her insistence that, “I’ve got to go away,” and, “The answer is no.”
In the era of #MeToo, those lines seem to many like definite denials of the male singer’s pleas of, “What’s the sense in hurtin’ my pride?” and, “Oh baby don’t hold out.”
Listeners in the 1950s may not have blinked an eye, but in a culture that now focuses more on sexual consent, the lyrics seem problematic to some.
Instead of canceling the song altogether, Legend and Clarkson present a fresh set of lyrics to the iconic jazzy tune. This time, the song sounds more like the parting of two lovers rather than a strange persuasion effort.
When Clarkson sings, “I’ve got to go away,” Legend returns with, “I can call you a ride.” And guess what? Her driver’s name is Murray and Legend wants her to text him when she’s home safely.
“Text me when you get home,” Legend sings.
But don’t worry, he’s not shoving her out the door. It’s obvious the two want to be together, but Clarkson just isn’t feeling completely sure about staying the night and doesn’t want to worry her family.
Legend brings up a good point, though, when he sings, “Wait, what are you still livin’ home for?”
“I want you to stay, it’s not up to me,” he tells her.
That’s right! And you know what else?
“It’s your body and your choice,” he tells her as she worries what her friends will think, echoing the cry of women’s rights protesters on the decade.
Not everyone’s warming up to the idea of a new version.
“The Talk” co-host Sharon Osborne is chilly towards the new release. “It’s a piece of art… to change an innocent lyric, to what is it, ‘your mind and your body?’ What the hell are you on? That’s ridiculous,” she said during a discussion on the show.
And Deena Martin, Dean Martin’s daughter, called Legend’s new lyrics “absolutely absurd.”
“I think what he’s done is he’s stealing the thunder from Frank Loesser’s song and my dad,” she said on Good Morning Britain. “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.”
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