Sharon Osbourneis calling outJohn Legendfor switching up the lyrics on a holiday classic.
The Voicecoaches updated the lyrics to stand in place ofcontroversial sexist linesso that the song would be more appropriate for 2019, especially in the wake of the #MeToo movement. However, Osbourne did not think the original song needed to be messed with.
“What would John Legend do, if in 40 years, if somebody wanted to — you know, times change — re-record one of his songs, and there was some group that found it offensive, and somebody just went, ‘Oh, I can change the lyrics on that,'” she began her argument.
“It’s, to me, like a master painting,” Osbourne explained. “You go and see these beautiful nudes in museums all over the world, they’re spectacular. Would it be right for me to go and draw a bikini top on one of those nudes? It’s still an art form, it’s a piece of art.”
“To change an innocent lyric, to what is it, ‘Your mind and your body?’ What the hell are you on? That’s ridiculous,” she quipped. “I have to tell you, I love John Legend. I love John Legend’s wife, his family. He’s an amazing artist that I really respect. Why do you do this? That’s not right.”
Osbourne concluded her argument, adding: “The thing is if you don’t like the song, don’t record it.”
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But in recent years the lyrics have raised eyebrows with lines like, “Say, what’s in this drink?” and a back-and-forth where a man tries to convince a woman to stay the night despite her continued protests — “I really can’t,” and “The answer is no.”
Last year, the song wastaken off of some radio playlistsafter facing criticism.
The song will appear on an expanded version of Legend’s Christmas album,A Legendary Christmas: The Deluxe Edition, available Friday.
source: people.com
