John Legend and Kelly Clarkson are recording the 1944 Christmas song “Baby It’s Cold Outside” — with a 2019 twist.
Before the release of his 2020 album, Legend will be sharing some new Christmas music this holiday season, including the cover with Clarkson, according to USA Today.
However, Legend and Clarkson’s version will include some updated lyrics, USA Today reported.
“Baby It’s Cold Outside” was the subject of controversy last Christmas season when some radio stations in the United States chose to ban the song because of what listeners considered to be problematic lyrics, the Deseret News reported last year.
In particular, lines such as “What’s in this drink?” and a series of lines where a woman is ignored after repeatedly saying “no” have been viewed by some as problematic, especially in the wake of the #MeToo movement, according to People magazine.
In response to these concerns, Legend and Clarkson’s remake of the song will feature some changed lyrics, including the following, according to USA Today:
Clarkson: “What will my friends think...”
Legend: “I think they should rejoice”
Clarkson: “...if I have one more drink?”
Legend: “It’s your body, and your choice.”
The banning of the original version of the song by radio stations led to backlash from listeners, according to the Deseret News, and even drew a response from the daughter of the song’s writer.
“Bill Cosby ruined it for everybody,” said Susan Loesser, daughter of composer Frank Loesser, according to the Deseret News. “Way before #MeToo, I would hear from time to time people call it a date rape song. I would get annoyed because it’s a song my father wrote for him and my mother to sing at parties. But ever since Cosby was accused of drugging women, I hear the date rape thing all the time.”
“I think it would be good if people looked at the song in the context of the time,” Loesser said. “It was written in 1944.”
Legend shared on Instagram that his album “A Legendary Christmas” is currently available for preorder.