The highly anticipated live-action “The Little Mermaid” hits theaters May 26, and songs from the original film, such as “Part of Your World,” “Under the Sea” and “Kiss the Girl,” have audiences everywhere listening to the original animated Here’s your chance to enjoy four new songs, courtesy of the film’s composers, Alan Menken and Lin-Manuel Miranda.
For the most part, the songs from the original film sound the same in the 2023 remake, but Menken gave fans a heads-up that there will be some minor changes to the original songs to make the film, which was initially released in 1989. , feel more modern. Menken told Vanity Fair in March, “‘Kiss the Girl’ has some lyrical changes because people have become very sensitive to the idea that[Prince Eric]would somehow force himself on (Ariel). “
No one would blame you if you missed the tweaks Menken and Miranda initially made to “Kiss the Girl.” Those are small but necessary changes. But another significant change was made to the overall plot of the film, completely changing the nature of Ariel’s quest to kiss Prince Eric. Ahead, read all about it.
“The Little Mermaid” 2023 “Kiss the Girl” Song Changes
In both the original “The Little Mermaid” and the new live-action remake, Prince Eric must kiss Ariel before sunset on his third day of becoming a human if he is to remain on land as a human. To that end, Ariel’s friends use their skills of meditation to take Ariel and Prince Eric out for a romantic boat ride on a lake, at which point they sing “Kiss the Girl” to Eric. In the hopes that the music will impress him, well, kiss the girl.
Menken and Miranda tweaked potentially problematic lyrics from the original film when Sebastian sings, “Maybe she wants you too /There’s a way to ask her / It doesn’t take a word, not a word/ Go ahead and kiss the girl.” These lyrics, if taken at face value, may suggest that this is the only way for Prince Eric to ask Ariel if she wants him to kiss her. do it (as the song clearly says he doesn’t need to say anything).
A slight twist to these lyrics completely erases that implication from the lyrics. Instead, in the remake, Sebastian sings, “Maybe she wants you too/Use your words, boy, and ask her / If the time is right and the time is tonight/ Go ahead and kiss the girl.” This small, meaningful change encourages Prince Eric to seek her consent before trying to kiss Ariel, and only if the time is right (aka, if she says yes), So he should do just that.
Some might argue that this tweak was unnecessary, given that a) the viewer already knows that Ariel is in love with Eric and wants him to be by the time they ride their boat; kiss her, and b) at no point does Eric try to force himself on Ariel. But one could also argue that if two lines in a song have to be changed to clear up a possible negative effect, why not change them? And let’s be real: “If the time is right and the time is tonight” is infinitely more clever than “It doesn’t take a word, not a single word.”
Ariel’s Quest to Kiss Prince Eric in “The Little Mermaid” 2023
Another reason the producers of the new live-action “Little Mermaid” wanted to change the lyrics to “Kiss the Girl” is because they made a major change to the plot: Ariel’s quest to kiss Eric.
In the original film, Ariel is fully aware that she needs to receive a kiss from Eric in order to remain human, as per her contract with Ursula. However, in the remake, Ursula adds another layer of repetition to her magic.
The Sea Witch has made Ariel forget that she needs to kiss Eric to remain human, and is dazed and confused any time someone mentions that Ariel needs to hurry up and kiss Eric. It happens. In other words, while Ariel is definitely still fighting for Eric’s heart in the remake, she isn’t quite as eager to lip lock, because she doesn’t even remember that it’s necessary; Thus, the viewer cannot say with certainty that Ariel wants to kiss Eric.
While kissing your prince charming has long been a story staple, the remake of “The Little Mermaid” turns the tired trope on its head, and it works. Ahead, read the slightly modified lyrics for “Kiss the Girl” from “The Little Mermaid.”
“Kiss the Girl” song from “The Little Mermaid”
Introduction
Collision
strings
the winds
Word
verse 1
there you see him
sat there all the way
he doesn’t have much to say
but there’s something about it
and you don’t know why
but you’re dying to try
you want to kiss the girl
verse 2
yes you want him
look at him you know you do
maybe she likes you too
Use your words, boy, and ask her
if the time is right and the time is tonight
go and kiss the girl
chorus
Sha-la-la-la-la-la, my, oh, my
look the boy is very shy
won’t kiss the girl
Sha-la-la-la-la-la, isn’t that sad?
Isn’t it a shame? worst
he will miss the girl
verse 3
now is your moment
floatin’ in a blue lagoon
son, you do it soon
no time would be better
Ooh, oh boy, make it quick
no time would be better
she doesn’t say a word
And she won’t say a word till yes
girl kiss
girl kiss
girl kiss
chorus
(sha-la-la-la-la-la)
Don’t be afraid (sha-la-la-la-la-la)
You set the mood (sha-la-la-la-la-la)
go and kiss the girl
(sha-la-la-la-la-la)
(sha-la-la-la-la-la)
(sha-la-la-la-la-la)
Wow wow
(sha-la-la-la-la-la)
Don’t stop now (sha-la-la-la-la-la)
Don’t try to hide it (sha-la-la-la-la-la)
how do you want to kiss a girl
(sha-la-la-la-la-la)
(sha-la-la-la-la-la)
(house)
you want to kiss the girl
(sha-la-la-la-la-la)
swim along (sha-la-la-la-la-la)
And listen to the song (sha-la-la-la-la-la)
The song says, “Kiss the girl”
(sha-la-la-la-la-la)
musical play (sha-la-la-la-la-la)
Do what the music says (sha-la-la-la-la-la)
you want to kiss the girl
(sha-la-la-la-la-la)
do what the music says (sha-la)
You gotta kiss the girl (sha-la-la-la-la-la)
girl kiss
after the chorus
you want to kiss the girl
why don’t you kiss the girl
kiss girl kiss girl
come on and kiss the girl
kiss girl kiss girl
go and kiss the girl
girl kiss
girl kiss
