John Legend co-writes new take on ‘Baby It’s Cold Outside’

NEW YORK – John Legend and Kelly Clarkson, his fellow coach on “The Voice,” have joined forces on a reimagined version of the oft-criticized Christmas classic “Baby It’s Cold Outside.”

This combination photo shows singer and talk show host Kelly Clarkson during a portrait session in Los Angeles to promote her animated film “Uglydolls” in April 14, 2019, left, and singer John Legend at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills, Calif. on Feb. 24, 2019. Clarkson and Legend have joined forces on a reimagined version of the oft-criticized Christmas classic “Baby It’s Cold Outside.” (AP Photo)

The song, written by Frank Loesser in 1944, is a duet that has a man trying to convince a woman to stay overnight at his home on a cold winter’s night.

It’s been a flashpoint of the #MeToo era, with foes calling it everything from sexist to an ode to date rape.

Legend and comedian Natasha Rothwell of HBO’s “Insecure” wrote the new take, which includes Clarkson leading the lyrics:

“What will my friends think (I think they should rejoice)

If I have one more drink? (It’s your body, and your choice.)”

Gone are such lines as, “Gosh, your lips look delicious,” sung by the man, and “Say, what’s in this drink?” by the woman. /gsg