After an exhausting year, Miley Cyrus is still out here serving new music and bringing new life to the holiday season.
Cyrus made a late night appearance on The Tonight Show Friday evening and served some seasonal Christmas cheer — with a much-needed upgrade. She performed a rendition of “Santa Baby,” the coy, flirty holiday classic, but right off the bat, Cyrus made it clear the song was going to be sung on her terms.
Cyrus’ updated, #MeToo-friendly version of “Santa Baby” follows the same tune as Eartha Kitt’s 1953 original, but with a feminist 2018 twist. “Santa, baby,” she sings, denouncing the fancy jewelry, diamonds, cash, stocks, and similarly flashy gifts that made the original so titillating, “I don’t need your presents tonight.”
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Before taking the stage, Cyrus had confronted host Jimmy Fallon, telling him the original song was all wrong. The lyrics — which Cyrus pointed out incredulously, with righteous indignation — ask Santa Claus for ostentatious presents (a car, a yacht, checks) while hinting the singer would hook up with ol’ Saint Nick in exchange. Cyrus even went a little bit political, pointing out that the song requested a sable, or a luxe fur, which would be totally out of character for her (she’s vegan). So when Fallon, pressed for time, agreed to let Cyrus change the lyrics — well, she didn’t hold back.
Cyrus remained just as cutting as she was charming throughout the performance, firmly telling Santa to back off a little: “I can buy my own stuff,” she sang to cheers from the audience. Instead of your typical wish list, Cyrus instead asked for equal pay and a safer work environment: “I’d love to know my ass won’t get grabbed at work by some ignorant jerk,” she croons, evoking a double entendre just safe enough for live TV: “Tell the dirtbag to put away the chimney tonight.”
Her performance was anchored by a guest spot from DJ and producer Mark Ronson who, when asked by a blustering Fallon if the holidays were fun, quipped, “No!” (And jokes aside, for many folks, Ronson makes a very good point.)
With the annual Christmas carol debate in full swing once again, it’s refreshing to see a traditional tune take on a modern-day twist — and hopefully it won’t be too long before more powerhouse pop stars give other classic songs the revamp they need for 2018.