With any adaptation, there are bound to be changes. It’s an adaptation after all. And that stands true with Disney’s The Little Mermaid. According to Vanity Fair, Disney composer Alan Menken has changed some of the lyrics in “Kiss the Girl” and “Poor Unfortunate Souls.” He noted that some ‘people have gotten very sensitive about the idea that [Prince Eric] would, in any way, force himself on [Ariel.” And that the other song in question had lines that “might make young girls somehow feel that they shouldn’t speak out of turn.”
Personally, it’s the right thing to do. Not because, as Menken said, people are “sensitive.” Times have changed. And we are no longer the same people or society that we were when The Little Mermaid came out in 1989. We are more socially conscious of the effect that our words have on people and how people learn from the content that they consume. So if you have language in these lyrics that possibly takes away a woman’s (or mermaid’s) agency, it’s time to cut it. It’s time to evolve. And it’s time to teach young and impressionable kids something different that empowers them.
There will be plenty of people that will complain and say that this is nitpicking of a classic and things should stay the way they are. Well, to that I say that the original is still there. If you want to watch it, go ahead. No one is stopping you. But the people who live in the now and have never seen a mermaid like Halle Bailey‘s version, these changes matter because they are going to leave a lasting impression on the young children of color who see her take on this role. And if you have a problem with your children seeing a mermaid like Bailey’s in the first place, you need to sit down and think about how long children of color have had to live with white characters as their idols. They watched it. They loved it. They survived and so can your kids. All kids.
The Little Mermaid changing lyrics in “Kiss the Girl” and “Poor Unfortunate Souls” also speaks to Disney being conscious of the effect their work has on young women and girls. They started off movie-making with princesses and the gallant prince saying the day. Now we have movies where the young woman or girl saves herself, where she has agency, and a choice. And it’s important that those messages shine bright and true, even in lyrics, as we enter a new era of filmmaking where everyone gets a seat at the table. That’s equality and the future. If you don’t like it then don’t worry. We’ll be filling up the seats when The Little Mermaid hits theaters. I can promise you that.
Watch the trailer for The Little Mermaid below:
The Little Mermaid hits theaters on May 26, 2023.
Honestly I’m ok with it. I mean:
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
Yeah I can see why someone looked at those lyrics and said, “Oopsie Time for a Change.”