The live-action remake of The Little Mermaid will be released in just over a month, and after an impressive-looking trailer, fans have every reason to be excited. However, Prince Eric may fall victim to today’s audiences for unfair reasons. We at The Nerd Stash want to address some changes in The Little Mermaid remake, particularly the need to change the lyrics from the original movie’s songs. There’s been much discussion about Alan Menken adjusting the lyrics to some of his songs from the 1989 movie, particularly regarding changes to the song “Kiss the Girl.” Some feel the song’s lyrics are allowing Prince Eric to forcibly kiss a mute girl who can’t speak up to consent to the kiss. But is the criticism of the song and Prince Eric fair?
Let’s look at the original version of The Little Mermaid before the remake is released to address Prince Eric’s intentions with Ariel to determine if these song lyric changes are justified.
Recent Criticisms of ‘The Little Mermaid’
Before we address the song lyric changes in The Little Mermaid remake, we have to look at the controversies surrounding the respective song and Disney princes like Eric that have arisen in recent years. Disney princes have come under much fire with the rise of the #MeToo movement. This became prominent in January 2018 when Osaka University professor Kazue Muta called out Snow White and the Seven Dwarves and Sleeping Beauty for making heroes out of the princes who rescue princesses by kissing them while they are sleeping. Osaka likened these kisses to “sexual assault on an unconscious person.”
This controversy gained further notoriety later that year when prominent actresses Keira Knightley voiced her opinions on the matter. Knightley told Ellen DeGeneres that she banned the 1950 version of Cinderella in her home since the title character “waits around for a rich guy to rescue her.” She also criticized The Little Mermaid, saying a woman shouldn’t give up her voice for a man. While Knightley faced some criticism for her comments, she wasn’t entirely alone in her estimations of The Little Mermaid and its titular character Ariel. The character is often criticized, with many calling her naïve, selfish, and an outright “stupid brat.”
These criticisms and more have led to significant changes in The Little Mermaid remake. Aside from the fact that Ariel is now being played by black actress Halle Bailey, her motivations have undergone some updates in the new remake. However, when it comes to the topic of The Little Mermaid’s song lyrics, it’s Prince Eric who is our primary topic of discussion (though Ariel’s decisions in the movie also play a role).
Why Song Lyrics Have Been Changed in ‘The Little Mermaid’ Remake
In the original version of The Little Mermaid, the song “Kiss the Girl” features lyrics such as “Don’t try to hide it how you want to kiss the girl.” Even more blatant is the line, “It’s possible she wants you too. There is one way to ask her. It don’t take a word, not a single word. Go on and kiss the girl.” In recent years, these lyrics have stirred up some controversy. For example, in 2018, a male acapella group at Princeton University removed the song from their lineup when Noa Wollstein, a campus newspaper critic, labeled it as “misogynistic and dismissive of consent.” Wollstein took issue with the idea that “the male Prince Eric, on a date with the beautiful female Ariel, should kiss her without asking for a single word to affirm her consent.” For reasons like this, original composer Alan Menken has teamed up with Lin-Manuel Miranda of Hamilton and Tick, Tick… Boom! to update the song lyrics for modern audiences.
To be fair, some of the lyrics in “Kiss the Girl” are problematic when removed from the story’s context. On the surface, it does seem like a bad idea to encourage young men to “ask her” if she wants him by planting one on her without a word. However, it’s worth noting that Ariel’s entire goal in her time on land is to get a kiss of true love, and Sebastian the crab is singing these lyrics with the intent of helping Ariel reach that goal. With that context in mind, it’s no surprise that these song lyric changes in The Little Mermaid remake have garnered some criticism. Case and point, check out this rather hilarious TikTok video:
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While this song lyric adjustment may be an act of noble intent, it paints a portrait of Prince Eric that is, putting it mildly, less than flattering. Does Prince Eric deserve the hate that has led to these song lyric changes in The Little Mermaid remake? Let’s examine some of his actions in the original animated film.
‘The Little Mermaid’s’ Prince Eric: Sexual Predator or Noble Hero?
The modern criticisms of The Little Mermaid almost make Prince Eric sound like a sexual predator who wants to “plant one” on a girl who has nothing to say about the matter. But is such a portrayal fair? If you actually examine the original 1989 movie, all evidence seems to point to “no.”
Interestingly, many Disney princesses are celebrated for not wanting to be forced into marriage and for having a sense of adventure (e.g., Belle, Jasmine, Pocahontas). Even Ariel doesn’t start her journey with a romantic interest but a fascination with a world different from hers. What’s interesting about Prince Eric is that he is kind of similar. He’s an adventurous type who loves being out on the sea. And while he wants to be with someone, he wants that person to be with someone he genuinely loves. He finds that connection with Ariel, but in a unique way.
Keira Knightley criticizes Disney princesses for waiting for a man to save them. Ariel and Prince Eric are unique in that it’s actually the princess who rescues the prince. Eric’s ship is caught in a storm, and when he is on a lifeboat on his way to safety, he puts himself back in danger to save his dog. In that noble act, he gets trapped on the burning ship and nearly drowns. Ariel is the one who comes to his rescue. She sings to him on the shore, and he becomes infatuated with her and her voice. He’s sure he’s found the girl he’s meant to be with.
Then he meets Ariel, who is now mute after trading her voice to Ursula to have a hope of being with Eric. He’s still obsessed with the girl with the beautiful voice who rescued him, yet he develops a strong bond with Ariel. He’s besmirched with her personality and her sense of wonder. And at a certain point, he’s ready to give up his search for the pretty girl with the pretty voice as he’s now head over heels for Ariel (that is, until Ursula hypnotizes him).
We all know how it plays out: Ariel gets her voice back, Eric recognizes her, rescues her from Ursula, and they live happily ever after. But before all that happens, Eric is still infatuated with Ariel, who, even without her voice, captivates him with her personality and warmth. Eric’s love for Ariel is beyond her voice and her looks. Eric loves Ariel as the unique woman that she is.
‘The Little Mermaid’ Gave Us a Noble Prince
With all that in mind, is it fair for The Little Mermaid remake to paint Prince Eric in such a poor light with these song lyric changes? He’s got the sense of adventure and the desire for a genuine love connection that modern audiences love in Disney princesses. Should they not be happy to see the same thing in a prince? Eric’s love for Ariel goes beyond her looks and even her voice. He’s in love with who she is as a person. Many Disney princes before him were bland and without personality, but Eric has passion and nobility, which should be celebrated. That’s why these changes to the song lyrics to “Kiss the Girl” seem a bit unfair to a prince who is so admirable.
All that said, the remake The Little Mermaid still hasn’t been released, and we don’t know exactly how these song lyrics are being changed, nor do we know much about how Jonah Hauer-King’s portrayal of Prince Eric will play out. Think about it: with all the trailers and footage, we haven’t heard the guy say a word. Will the song lyrics appeal to a modern audience without degrading a strong Disney prince? We will find out when The Little Mermaid is released on May 26th.
