John Legend’s updated and informed version of “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” with featured singer Kelly Clarkson, reinforces the right ideas to younger generations and provides a solution to the ongoing controversy of its uncomfortable lyrics. 

In recent years, Dean Martin’s “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” has been under fire from younger generations for its forceful and creepy lyrics. For this holiday season, Legend has refreshed the lyrics to be more inclusive and less offensive.

The updated version replaces Martin’s lyrics of pressuring the woman to stay with him, with Legend offering to get the woman a cab to leave safely. Legend promotes the proper way to tend to a woman who has been drinking with the new lyrics. Everyone should make sure an intoxicated person gets home safely, not making them feel like they have to stay somewhere they don’t feel comfortable.

Since the original song was released in 1959, our society has progressed and behaviors that were once acceptable can cause outrage today. Whether people want to hear it or not, the times have changed and the Martin version is no longer acceptable for the culture we live in. 

Legend was able to keep the classic charm of the song that draws people in, while still changing up the lyrics to fit our societal expectations. I applaud Legend for standing up for women and siding with those who can see the flaws in the original song. 

Those who are still angry about the original song being changed or banned from radios should reevaluate their priorities. People can still choose to listen to Martin’s version in the comfort of their own home; the goal isn’t to prevent that. It isn’t too much to ask to want to raise our youth with the right ideals, not outdated ones. People have the right to be angered by outdated song lyrics. Just because it’s a classic, doesn’t make it right. 

There shouldn’t be so much anger and outrage surrounding this issue. This should be about evolving and bettering our society for everyone. Part of growth is recognizing our own flaws, and something like keeping a mildly offensive song out of our holiday rotation is a simple place to start.