Listen to John Legend's cover of 'Baby It's Cold Outside' with updated lyrics

11 November 2019, 10:02

John Legend has unveiled his new version of Christmas classic 'Baby, It's Cold Outside', with added "sensitive" lyrics.

The soul singer has teamed up with Kelly Clarkson for the track, which will feature on a new deluxe edition of his album A Legendary Christmas.

Listen to the track below:

John Legend - Baby, It's Cold Outside (Official Audio) ft. Kelly Clarkson

Earlier this month, it was revealed that John and Kelly had recorded a new version of the song, which has been the subject of controversy in recent years.

Last year, a radio station in Cleveland, Ohio decided to remove 'Baby It's Cold Outside' from its playlist, following complaints from listeners.

Local media say that listeners said the song was inappropriate, and stood against the #MeToo movement.

Speaking to Vanity Fair, it was claimed that the pair’s new version of the track would have a “newfound sensitivity” and focus on the importance of consent.

While Kelly’s lyrics stay almost the same as the original, John’s lines now include “we’re both adults, who’s keepin’ score” when his partner suggests “half a drink more” and “it’s your body and your choice” when she wonders “what will my friends think?”.

1999 Tom Jones & Cerys Matthews - Baby It's Cold Outside

Following a backlash from some people online, John's wife Chrissy Teigen poked fun at the situation when one Twitter user reminded people that “John Legend is not holding people captive and forcing them to listen to the new version”.

“You’re wrong here,” she joked. “I watched he and Kelly physically burn all original versions in our backyard. It was crazy actually I was like whoa guys settle down.”

The song was written by Frank Loesser in 1944, and has been covered by many artists including Michael Bublé, James Taylor, Tom Jones and Cerys Matthews and actors Will Ferrell and Zooey Deschanel in the movie Elf.