If there's one Christmas song that has proved particularly controversial in recent times, it's 'Baby, It's Cold Outside'.
Some say that the lyrics of the song, written by Frank Loessner in 1944 and made famous by Dean Martin amongst many others, advocates date rape. Others say that it's a case of the lyrics being of their time, and that they don't necessarily mean the same thing in a modern context. The 'What's in this drink?' line has proven particularly contentious, although many have suggested that the line was a common idiom of the time - a joke used by people who knew they shouldn't have been drinking.
However, the debate has taken a new turn after John Legend covered the song with Kelly Clarkson - and altered the lyrics.
The line "The neighbours might think, (Baby, it’s bad out there)/ Say, what’s in this drink? (No cabs to be had out there)" is now "What will my friends think? (I think they should rejoice) / If I have one more drink? (It’s your body, and your choice)”.
Dean Martin's daughter Deana spoke via telephone to 'Good Morning Britain', slamming Legend for his remake. "You do not change the lyrics to the song," she said. "He’s made it more sexual with those words that he has just said. It’s absolutely absurd. I think what he’s done is, he’s stealing the thunder from Frank Loesser’s song and from my dad. He should write his own song if he doesn’t like this one, but don’t change the lyrics. It’s a classic, perfect song."
She added that her father would have found the new lyrics 'absurd'. “I think John should’ve just left it alone," she said.
Legend and Clarkson's new version will feature on the deluxe version of last year's Christmas album 'A Legendary Christmas', which is out this Friday.
