The Little Mermaid is set to hit theaters soon and when it does we will get to revisit our favorite songs from the animated film! That means songs Iike “Part of Your World,” “Under the Sea,” “Poor Unfortunate Souls,” and “Kiss the Girl” are back on the big screen! Except some of the songs won’t exactly be as we remember them.
Related: Harry Styes Turned Down Playing Prince Eric in The Little Mermaid
Composer and Disney Legend Alan Menken, who did the films original music, is revisiting two iconic songs from the animated feature to apparently make them “less offensive.” In an interview in Vanity Fair, Menken said “Kiss the Girl” and “Poor Unfortunate Souls” have been altered to appeal to modern audiences. Menken said, “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]. 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, even though Ursula is clearly manipulating Ariel to give up her voice.”
Related: Disney Ignores Its Own Source Material?
The composer did not reveal what the new lyrics would be or what lyrics were being changed. We can assume this verse from “Kiss the Girl” will not make an appearance:
“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”
Likewise, in “Poor Unfortunate Souls” we think.its a safe bet that the lyrics being omitted will be this verse:
“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 prefered 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On a lady who’s withdrawn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”
Related: Melissa McCarthy is Ursua and She Says It’s Glorious
Additionally, Halle Bailey has said that Ariel isn’t going to solely be motivated by love. In the new adaptation Ariel will be motivated by a feminist drive for independence. Because finding love is not an acceptable motivation to modern audiences it seems.
The live action adaptation of The Little Mermaid is in theaters May 26, 2023. It’s directed by Rob Marshall and produced by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mark Platt, and John DeLuca. Halle Bailey, Jonah Hauer, and Melissa McCarthy star in the film. You’ll be able to relive the adventure ‘under the sea’ only in theaters.