Soundtrack songs in The Little Mermaid live-action remake were reportedly revised to remove sensitive lines and include consent.
The Disney reboot of the 1989 classic film is featuring Halle Bailey as Ariel and is set to hit the big screens on May 26 this year.
Though the original animated film remains a staple cartoon in many families, the movie in recent years came under a growing amount of criticism over its iconic songs including Kiss the Girl and Poor Unfortunate Souls.
In Kiss the Girl, the lyrics go as follows: “Yes, you want her. Look at her, you know you do. Possible she wants 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.”
In response to critics claiming that Prince Eric was being encouraged to force himself on Ariel without asking for her consent, the producers decided to revise the lyrics of the song in the upcoming live-action remake.
“There are some lyric changes in Kiss the Girl because people have gotten very sensitive about the idea that Eric would, in any way, force himself on Ariel,” composer Alan Menken said in an interview with Vanity Fair.
Poor Unfortunate Souls also made the list of controversial Disney songs thanks to its narrative suggesting that girls should not blabber and speak out of turn.
“We have some revisions in Poor Unfortunate Souls regarding lines that might make young girls somehow feel that they shouldn’t speak out of turn,” Menken added.
“Even though Ursula is clearly manipulating Ariel to give up her voice.”
The original lyrics of the controversial song go as follows: “The men up there don’t like a lot of blabber. They think a girl who gossips is a bore! Yet on land it’s much preferred for ladies not to say a word.
“And after all dear, what is idle babble 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 On a lady who’s withdrawn.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.”
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