- "The Little Mermaid" composer Alan Menken revealed to Vanity Fair that he changed some song lyrics in the new film.
- "People have gotten very sensitive," Menken said of some lyrics that don't emphasize consent.
- Per Menken, he tweaked lyrics in "Poor Unfortunate Souls" and "Kiss the Girl" for the new film.
"The Little Mermaid" composer Alan Menken revealed in a new interview with Vanity Fair that he updated the lyrics of two songs from the original animated film in the new live-action adaptation.
"There are some lyric changes in 'Kiss the Girl' because people have gotten very sensitive about the idea that [Prince Eric] would, in any way, force himself on [Ariel]," Menken said in the interview with Vanity Fair's Leigh Scheps.
Menken also told Scheps that he revised a couple phrases in "Poor Unfortunate Souls" as well. Per Menken, the lyrics he changed "might make young girls somehow feel that they shouldn't speak out of turn, even though Ursula is clearly manipulating Ariel to give up her voice."
While the "Aladdin" composer didn't specifically mention which verses he changed in the songs, there are several parts that seem ready for an update.
For instance, in "Kiss the Girl," one portion of the song goes: "Yes, you want her / Look at her, you know you do / Possible she want you too, there is one way to ask her / It don't take a word, not a single word / Go on and kiss the girl."
Of course, the song occurs during a point in the plot where Ariel has given up her speaking (and singing) voice for a pair of human legs, but the overall implication that Prince Eric should make a move on Ariel first and ask for consent later is likely troubling for some modern viewers (the original animated film came out in 1989).
And in "Poor Unfortunate Souls," sung by the sea witch Ursula to tempt Ariel into giving up her voice, Ursula sings: "Yes, on land it's much preferred / For ladies not to say a word / And after all, dear, what is idle prattle for? / Come on, they're not all that impressed with conversation / True gentlemen avoid it when they can / But they dote and swoon and fawn / On a lady who's withdrawn / It's she who holds her tongue who gets a man."
As Menken noted, Ursula is trying to convince Ariel to sell her voice to the sea witch, but that portion of the song could also be viewed as encouraging young women to keep quiet during interactions with potential romantic partners.
"The Little Mermaid" stars Halle Bailey as Ariel, and premieres May 26. You can watch the trailer below.
The Link LonkApril 05, 2023 at 04:29AM
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'The Little Mermaid' remake changed songs to include consent - Insider
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