Pop star royalty Sarah Geronimo draws flak for her performance of Chappell Roan’s hit song “Good Luck, Babe” on the musical variety show ASAP.
The choice to alter the song’s lyrics, eliminating its original LGBT themes to conform to a “heteronormative” viewpoint, has drawn criticism despite the fact that many people appreciated Geronimo’s impressive vocals.
Certain lines were altered in the pop star’s rendition of the song, which honors the unabashed representation of queer relationships. One significant change was the substitution of “you can kiss a hundred girls in bars” with “you can kiss a hundred boys in bars.”
The said lyric changes drew backlash from social media users, with many questioning on performing the song if it modifies its original meaning.
One user wrote, “the lyric change just doesn’t make sense, changing a lesbian/lgbtq+ song lyrics to fit into a heteronormative narrative is just distasteful idc.”
“Love sarah g and how popular chappell roan is here in the ph but changing the lyrics of a song about the lesbian experience with comphet and the patriarchy should be illegal… like what a god awful decision to change such a personal and unique message into something Straight…,” a second user wrote.
A third user wrote, “Changing pronouns to a song is so wack. Like you didn’t write it, RELAX. No one’s going to think you’re gay for singing the correct lyrics.”
More social media users expressed their concerns about the implications of such changes for queer representation.
the meaning of the song is literally pointless by changing the pronouns https://t.co/1X8rs4Co52
— plumeriaxgardenia🇵🇭🍉 (@JBTM01) December 9, 2024
Turning a Lesbian Comphet song into a straight song should be a crime actually… https://t.co/gI2BlftPkl
— Reina 🩷🐰🍒 (@hoshikanai) December 9, 2024
daming pwede i-cover na kanta dyan about one sided love oh… why alter a song to fit straight audiences tas combined with misogyny na pa 🤦 this is not it https://t.co/XNyPatX9a2
— ` (@sioasaurus) December 10, 2024
shes really skilled, thats unquestionable. the song just loses meaning when you change the pronouns haha https://t.co/QIOTsBDR7Y
— ely (@luluhuranpo) December 9, 2024
like sure she sounds great but making a song about dealing with comphet into a boring ass straight song is so stupid just sing it gay why are you so scared https://t.co/XG8wPqE5LV
— el (@lacysbetty) December 9, 2024
i hate it when covers remove the essence and the meaning of a song. it especially offends me when straight people make a gay song straight https://t.co/19M4I2r8WT
— ( ͡❛ ෴ ͡❛) (@hitanihutao_) December 9, 2024
i love sarah g but the song was not meant for her to sing if it means changing the pronouns cause this song is clearly meant for a doomed lesbian like me. https://t.co/Sew45JEXhV
— kaylin 𐙚 (@0816JCSS) December 8, 2024
STOP CHANGING THE LYRICS TO THIS SONG! IF YOU DONT WANNA SING A LESBIAN SONG DONT SING IT! https://t.co/oAZx3NavTb pic.twitter.com/1XbzCY1fGc
— ✨sophie✨ (@warriorlovatoxx) December 9, 2024
Although there has been criticisms with her performance, other netizens defended the pop star for the said lyric changes.
Can someone enlighten me why her gender swapping the song is such a big deal? It does no harm at all. That’s her own cover and perspective of the song. Like you don’t have to relate to her cover and just go back to the original song right? https://t.co/5cl2oI5zP0
— Art Luknar (@prttyboiart) December 9, 2024
inisstress nyo sarili nyo over some harmless lyric change? wala ba kayong life? 😭😭 https://t.co/4auTZ72I1G
— moy (@neallestrange) December 9, 2024
“it’s her cover” changing the pronouns changes the entire meaning of the song. a cover doesn’t change the meaning of the song, it’s a COVER https://t.co/l3bPhMPxbv
— mimi (@hiichanhoney) December 9, 2024
Gosh, ang OA, kanta lang yan, pinoproblema ninyo????
Wala namang problema sa pronouns change na yan, as long as copyrighted yan, walang problema.
Yung dapat problemahin ninyo kung makakapasa pa ba ang SOGIE bill, yun yung problemahin ninyo, hindi yung kanta kinover ni sarah. https://t.co/WFIVNNQuxH
— Gay Cishet Fellas|🏳️🌈 🇵🇭 | 🇹🇼♥️🦁🌞💚 (@CrazyJaerson) December 10, 2024
As of this writing, Sarah Geronimo has not yet spoken up regarding the reactions to her performance.
Other POP! stories you might like:
Howlers Manila organizers apologize for festival issues, assure improvements for future events
UP fundraising project for athletes faces backlash for ‘overpriced’ jackets
Comic Quest marks the end of an era with the closure of its SM Megamall location
Actor John Arcilla shares his take on the Jennings-Racal drama, supporters and critics weigh in
‘Ungkatan ng past?’: Filipinos revisit past celebrity breakups in light of Maris-Anthony issue