“Baby, It’s Cold Outside” gets rewrite in John Legend’s Christmas album

By mbrooks on October 29, 2019
LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 01: Singer John Legend performs on stage at the “Chime For Change: The Sound Of Change Live” Concert at Twickenham Stadium on June 1, 2013 in London, England. Chime For Change is a global campaign for girls’ and women’s empowerment founded by Gucci with a founding committee comprised of Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini, Salma Hayek Pinault and Beyonce Knowles-Carter. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images for Gucci)

By Matthew Brooks

John Legend is releasing a new Christmas album that features a lyric makeover of a vintage holiday song.

In a duet with Kelly Clarkson, Legend sings “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” without some lines that hinted at coercion.

I really can’t stay (Baby, it’s cold outside)
I’ve gotta go away (I can call you a ride)
This evening has been (So glad that you dropped in)
So very nice (Time spent with you is paradise)
My mother will start to worry (I’ll call a car and tell ’em to hurry)

And a Vanity Fair article reveals another big change.

What will my friends think…” she sings
I think they should rejoice,” he responds.
… if I have one more drink?
“It’s your body, and your choice.”

Legend worked with Natasha Rothwell on the rewrite.

The implication is clear in the new version: It’s her choice, not his coercion.

John Legend’s A Legendary Christmas: The Deluxe Edition is due out Nov. 8.

 

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