The Little Mermaid Songs Get New Updated Lyrics
For The Little Mermaid (2023) film, the original animated film’s songs “Kiss the Girl” and “Poor Unfortunate Souls” have gotten a modern update.
Since Disney began making their animated films live-action, they have also adapted the original songs for new projects. This will be no exception for the upcoming The Little Mermaid (2023). Following criticism of original songs such as “Kiss the Girl” and “Poor Unfortunate Souls,” the studio modified the tunes to be more politically correct.
The live-action #LittleMermaid starring Halle Bailey and Jonah Hauer-King will have some of the songs updated, composer Alan Menken shared. Songs like “Kiss the Girl” and “Poor Unfortunate Souls” have gotten their lyrics modified to allow consent https://t.co/BbmTE8L6UG
— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) April 5, 2023
Alan Menken, one of the film’s two composers, reported, “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].” When discussing “Poor Unfortunate Souls,” Menken stated, “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.”
In the original animated film, “Kiss the Girl,” plays when Prince Eric is encouraged to kiss Ariel, who does not have a voice then. Meanwhile, in “Poor Unfortunate Souls,” the line Menken is likely referring to is when Ursula sings, “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.”
The film will have its theatrical release this May 23. It will feature a star-studded cast: Halle Bailey as Ariel, Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric, Melissa McCarthy as Ursula, and Daveed Diggs as Sebastian.
Filming for the project concluded in July 2021. Fans have been eager to see Bailey in her first starring role portraying the Disney princess. A doll was recently released of Bailey as her character too much fanfare. On Instagram, Bailey recorded an emotional video of her reaction to her doll. Excitedly, she commented, “I am literally choking up because this means so much to me. And to have one that looks like me, that’s my favorite Disney character, is very surreal.”
Given the information and material we have received, we are sure the film will be a hit amongst original fans and new viewers. While everyone waits for May 23 to come, they can watch the film’s trailer below, which was released this past March.
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