John Legend gave the lyrics to "Baby, It's Cold Outside," a 21st-century update.
Legend revealed his intentions during an interview for Vanity Fair's December 2019 issue. He worked on the lyrics with Insecure star Natasha Rothwell. He recorded the song with fellow The Voice judge Kelly Clarkson.
Legend's version will appear on his upcoming holiday album A Legendary Christmas: Deluxe Edition.
"What will my friends think…" Clarkson asked on the song.
"I think they should rejoice," Legend replied.
"…if I have one more drink?" she continued.
"It's your body and your choice," he states.
The original lyrics, written by Frank Loesser in 1944, are controversial in a post-#MeToo world.
"The neighbors might think (Baby it's bad out there)
Say what's in this drink? (No cabs to be had out there)
I wish I knew how (Your eyes are like starlight now)
To break this spell (I'll take your hat, your hair looks swell) (Why thank you)
I ought to say no, no, no sir (Mind if move in closer?)"
Susan Loesser, the composer's daughter, is defensive of the song. She blamed Bill Cosby for ruining the song's image.
"Bill Cosby ruined it for everybody," Susan told NBC News last year. "Way before #Me Too, 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."
The song has been banned from some radio stations because of its lyrics, and Susan believes her father would be upset if he were still alive. Frank died in 1969.
"I think my father would be furious at that," Susan said. "People used to say 'what's in this drink' as a joke. You know, 'this drink is going straight to my head so what's in this drink?' Back then it didn't mean you drugged me. Absolutely I get it. But I think it would be good if people looked at the song in the context of the time. It was written in 1944."
Entertainment Weekly reports other songs on the album include covers of "This Christmas," "My Favorite Things" and "Christmas in New Orleans."
A Legendary Christmas: Deluxe Edition will be released on November 8.
