The soundtrack of ‘The Little Mermaid’ will be less chauvinistic: Disney modifies the live action songs

The long-awaited live-action ‘The Little Mermaid’ has undergone several changes and adjustments on its way to the big screen, Disney has planned its premiere this year with changes that fans of the original animated film are not happy with . One of the most recent changes involves the animated film’s original songs and its update for modern audiences, its composer made changes to remove phrases considered sexist.

Composer Alan Menken, who previously worked on the animated version, returns to make more current arrangements of the “The Little Mermaid” soundtrack and compose new songs with Lin-Manuel Miranda. However, in an interview with Vanity Fairrevealed that two of the original songs, Kiss the Girl and Poor Unfortunate Souls, needed minor changes to avoid possible offenses in the current public.

Menken didn’t go into specific details about the Poor Unfortunate Souls mods, but explained that some lines from Kiss the Girl could be considered a touchy subject for the audience. Specifically, he touched on the idea that Prince Eric might “take advantage” of Ariel, which you wouldn’t see well in this day and age. As for Poor Unfortunate Souls, Menken stressed that it should be avoided that the message could be interpreted as saying that girls and young people should not speak so as not to be rude.

These mods may not appeal to some fansbut they reflect the cultural and social changes that have occurred since the original animated film was released in 1989. They also demonstrate that Disney is committed to creating content that is inclusive and respectful for all audiences.

• You may be interested in reading: Why are Ursula and King Triton siblings in ‘The Little Mermaid’?
• This is the dark version of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid”.

The changes in the version of “The Little Mermaid” rethink culture and evolution

These changes to two gods songs that are part of the soundtrack of the live action of ‘The Little Mermaid’, also raise questions about how culture and society continue to evolve, and how content creators need to balance updating classics while preserving their legacy and cultural impact. Is it possible to update something without changing its essence? How do you determine what is offensive in an increasingly polarized society?

Despite these questions, what is clear is that “The Little Mermaid” has been and will continue to be one of Disney’s most beloved and successful films. With the addition of new songs and a performance from Halle Bailey in the title role, the live-action promises to be an exciting new take on the story of Ariel and her friends under the sea.

With the May 25, 2023 release date approaching, it remains to be seen how audiences will receive these changes and whether they’ll impact the box office or overall perception of the film. But what is certain is that ‘The Little Mermaid’, in all its forms, will remain a timeless classic that will delight generations to come.

Sign up for Disney Plus here

What did the original songs that were changed say?

The song Poor unfortunate souls, has been accused of containing a macho message, particularly as it expresses that no woman is interesting when she voices her thoughts on why men aren’t attracted to it, something no one would agree with anymore. This is what the song originally says:

“But ashore it is preferable that the ladies not say a word. And after all, my dear, what’s the point of talking? Come on, they’re not that impressed with the conversation. True gentlemen avoid it when they can. But they adore and swoon and flatter. In a woman retiring, she’s the one holding her tongue that wins over a man,” reads the 1989 text of The Little Mermaid.

until kiss of the girl Apparently, the alarming thing about the letter is that it reveals an incitement to Prince Eric to kiss Ariel like that, as if to underline that he shouldn’t ask permission to do so and kiss her like that. This is what the song literally says:

“Yes, you do. Look at her, you know you do. She might want you too. There’s a way to ask her. No words needed. Not a word. Go kiss the girl.”

The exact changes weren’t disclosed, but the change to the lyrics of two of the film’s songs, to be included in the live action soundtrack, needs to be more feminist, and leave the lines that were accepted at one point and now it is clear that they correspond to macho situations. In the meantime, we’ll have to wait for the live action premiere on May 25 to verify the change.