The Christmas song, “Baby It’s Cold Outside”, had stood the test of time until recently when several radio stations pulled it from rotation citing listener complaints.
In the wake of the #MeToo Movement, critics say the lyrics describe a date rape situation.
Garth Jowett is a professor of communication at the University of Houston and says he understands the song and debate around it well.
“Is it date rape? Is it some kind of forcing, and so forth? I hate to say it’s silly, but, it doesn’t look at the lyrics in its context,” Jowett explained.
The song, written by Frank Loesser, was made popular in the 1949 movie Neptune’s Daughter. It takes place during a scene where the woman wants to stay with the man she’s with but knows it’s not entirely appropriate.
“He gives her all kinds of reasons about why going out in the snow and so forth would not be a good idea and she is coyly, and I emphasize, coyly resisting him.”
“When you see the two of them interacting it doesn’t give you that strong feeling of menace.”
Loesser’s daughter has publicly defended her dad’s song, blaming Bill Cosby for the negative connotation.
"Bill Cosby ruined it for everybody," Susan Loesser, 74, told NBC News on Thursday. “Way before #MeToo, I would hear from time to time people call it a date rape song. I would get annoyed because it’s a song my father wrote for him and my mother to sing at parties. But ever since Cosby was accused of drugging women, I hear the date rape thing all the time."
Houstonians see both sides.
“I think it’s a classic and I think it should stay,” said Zoe Honquest.
“It goes into some dark undertones,” said Tommy White, “and probably isn’t one that we should continue singing.”
The song has been remade several times by artists including Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Michael Bublé, Lady Gaga, and dozens more.
KOSI in Colorado and KOIT in San Francisco had chosen to ban the song but have since reversed their decision citing listener feedback.
The full lyrics are listed below:
I really can’t stay (Baby it’s cold outside)
I gotta go away (Baby it’s cold outside)
This evening has been (Been hoping that you’d dropped in)
So very nice (I’ll hold your hands they’re just like ice)
My mother will start to worry (Beautiful what’s your hurry?)
My father will be pacing the floor (Listen to the fireplace roar)
So really I’d better scurry (Beautiful please don’t hurry)
Well maybe just a half a drink more (I’ll put some records on while I pour)
The neighbors might think (Baby it’s bad out there)
Say what’s in this drink? (No cabs to be had out there)
I wish I knew how (Your eyes are like starlight now)
To break this spell (I’ll take your hat, your hair looks swell) (Why thank you)
I ought to say no, no, no sir (Mind if move in closer?)
At least I’m gonna say that I tried (What’s the sense of hurtin’ my pride?)
I really can’t stay (Baby don’t hold out)
Baby it’s cold outside
Ah, you’re very pushy you know?
I like to think of it as opportunistic
I simply must go (Baby it’s cold outside)
The answer is no (But baby it’s cold outside)
The welcome has been (How lucky that you dropped in)
So nice and warm (Look out the window at that storm)
My sister will be suspicious (Gosh your lips look delicious!)
My brother will be there at the door (Waves upon a tropical shore)
My maiden aunt’s mind is vicious (Gosh your lips are delicious!)
Well maybe just a cigarette more (Never such a blizzard before) (And I don’t even smoke)
I’ve got to get home (Baby you’ll freeze out there)
Say lend me a coat? (It’s up to your knees out there!)
You’ve really been grand, (I feel when I touch your hand)
But don’t you see? (How can you do this thing to me?)
There’s bound to be talk tomorrow (Think of my life long sorrow!)
At least there will be plenty implied (If you caught pneumonia and died!)
I really can’t stay (Get over that old out)
Baby it’s cold
Baby it’s cold outside
Okay fine, just another drink then
That took a lot of convincing!