Lil Nas X’s Hit Song ‘Montero (Call Me By Your Name)’ is Getting a G-Rated ‘Kidz Bop’ Version
Lil Nas X burst onto the scene in 2019 with his kid-friendly hit single “Old Town Road.” In early 2021, the Grammy-winning artist released his first book: a children’s book called C is for Country. But with the release of his song “Montero (Call Me By Your Name),” Lil Nas X’s music became less family-friendly.
Lil Nas X’s song ‘Montero (Call Me By Your Name)’ wasn’t made for kids
“Old Town Road” set new records in the music industry in 2019. It became the longest-running song in history to be in the number-one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and was the first song in history to be certified 15-times Platinum, with over 15 million copies sold.
Lil Nas X opened up in an interview with Apple Music about how hard 2020 was for him. He was in lockdown like everyone else and began to question whether his overnight success was a fluke, and if he could match that same success ever again.
In March 2021, he released the lead single from his debut album Montero, “Montero (Call Me By Your Name).” The song and its accompanying video were a marked difference from “Old Town Road.” He referenced his sexuality and being told all his life that he was a sinful person going to Hell, and played with the idea in the video.
The song ended up becoming his second number-one single.
‘Call Me By Your Name’ is getting a Kidz Bop version
The devil imagery in the “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” video upset parents everywhere, especially those who had enjoyed Lil Nas X’s family-friendly music and image. But despite the backlash it received from parents, the song — and the Montero album as a whole — has been a hit with kids.
In 2021, Kidz Bop announced that “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” is going to be a part of its Kidz Bop 2022 song collection. For 20 years, Kidz Bop has been providing parents and children with family-friendly covers of pop songs. So it shouldn’t be surprising that Lil Nas X’s hit song is a part of the 2022 edition, due for release on October 22, 2021.
Other songs that are a part of Kidz Bop 2022 include “good 4 u” by Gen-Z superstar Olivia Rodrigo, “Butter” by BTS, and “telepatía” by Kali Uchis.
Lil Nas X has sparked controversy around the song
The lyrics of “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” certainly aren’t family-friendly. But what angered parents more in the aftermath of the song’s release was his promotion of the song.
The song’s release was accompanied by the release of his infamous “Satan Shoes,” which allegedly contained real human blood. And in performances of the song on Saturday Night Live and at the BET Awards, he included a pole-dancing routine and a kiss with one of his dancers.
In a TikTok video, Lil Nas X couldn’t believe that his song was getting the Kidz Bop treatment, saying “No way” while a commercial for Kidz Bop 2022 played.
