Songs changed in The Little Mermaid movie ‘because people have gotten very sensitive’
Julia Johnson
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In the new live-action adaptation of the beloved musical The Little Mermaid, viewers may notice some changes made to famous songs.
Composer Alan Menken explained in a recent interview that changes were made to the songs “Kiss the Girl” and “Poor Unfortunate Souls” in order to adapt to modern sensitivities.
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The new adaptation stars Halle Bailey as Ariel and premieres in theaters on May 26.
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According to the famous composer, “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,” he added.
The new lyrics have not been made public.
He also detailed working with Hamilton’s Lin-Manuel Miranda to craft a couple of new songs for the movie.
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“My niece went to Hunter School, and I would hear about this little boy named Lin-Manuel Miranda who loved The Little Mermaid,” he recalled.
“He was asking questions about it, wanted me to sign posters, and was just fanatical about it. Then one day, that little boy was a writer who had a new show called In the Heights. I thought, Was he the same Lin-Manuel Miranda? And now we’re collaborating! I’ve been amazed watching what he’s become in the world,” Menken said.