There’s a debate raging on social media whether “Baby, it’s cold outside” is about rape or not. Many liberals are saying it’s totally rapey and conservatives are saying it’s not, and the lady has to keep the baby.
Some radio stations have banned the song and now they’re receiving hundreds of complaints, which is kinda shocking. People still listen to radio stations?
While some think the song is from a bygone era about harmless flirtation, others see it as date rape. The woman is trying to get away while questioning what’s in her drink, and the dude is giving her the “but how can you do this to me?” treatment. Also, the whole “mind if I move in closer” and “your lips are delicious” are the kind of lines that deserve a response with a friendly taser or a swift kick to the jingle bells. Make them jingle bells rock, baby.
But, is the song actually rapey? Yes. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t take a different meaning from it and still enjoy it. I won’t let it ruin Elf for me as Will Ferrell and Zooey Deschanel performed a sweet duet of the tune, which was also funny for its creepiness.
Just as soon as you’re sure there’s nothing wrong with “Baby, it’s cold outside,” somewhere, there’s a Klansman re-interpreting “White Christmas.” You know it’s happening. It doesn’t matter what your, or even the writer’s intention was, to that racist, it’s not about snow.
How many songs do you sing along to now that you have misinterpreted or don’t even understand? That didn’t stop me from singing along with “Smells like teen spirit.” An albino? A mosquito? Who cares? Sing it. A song can mean whatever the hell you want it to. Some songwriters, myself included, often don’t know the meaning to their own songs.
At some point, a song doesn’t really belong to the creator anymore and it becomes the listeners. That’s the way I see it. When you listen to “Baby, it’s cold outside,” it’s your song and no one else can decide what it means to you. There’s no crime in enjoying it. We’re not talking about something that explicit, like 2 Live Crew’s “Me so horny.” And, if you want a horny Christmas, then go have a horny Christmas. Just don’t have a rapey Christmas.
But for the record, “no” means no in 2018, and it meant no in 1944.
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claytoonz 
Much what you wrote, and illustrated has been very much on my mind as there are some songs that are no longer part of my repertoire because I feel creep-ed out when singing them. I used to love Little Bitty Pretty One until I paid attention to the story I was telling.
Many of the old hit songs, when viewed from a more informed position today, come across as stalking, abuse and misogynist declarations. Standing On The Corner Watching All The Girls Go By, I’ll Be Watching You or, I wanna play house with you were enough to make me question some of the songs on my song list.
I remember when I was around 14 and I had recorded a song I wrote and was approached by a producer who wanted me to sing one of his songs for the flip side, (Yes it was back when 45’s were happening). His song was called The Creeper, or something. It was about creeping down the halls and peeking in rooms. That was as far as I got before I said, “No Thank You”.
Last year I was wondering if the song White Christmas could be construed as a racist thing. What a mess…I blame the news actress on Fox who claimed Santa was a white guy.
( I am leaving out the Hip Hop/DJ/Rapper XXX nursery rhyming stuff, because it belongs in the spoken word category. I would never speak to, or even think about another person like rap talkers do)
This evening I will be singing some Xmas songs. Even the sort of creepy ones like Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, but most of all, I will be seeing your cartoon when I sing, White Christmas. Thanks
Phil
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Screw that song. All lyrics will eventually be against the law. Here’s one with no lyrics! It’s safe! Have a listen, while you still can. https://soundcloud.com/biff-thuringer/christmas-without-elvis
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I have seen complaints about the song “Kiss The Girl” from Disney’s “Little Mermaid”.
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That song, when played in Colorado set in motion a chain of events that lead to the second Iraq war.
“The room convulsed with the feverish music from the gramophone. Dancing naked legs filled the hall, arms draped around the waists, chests met chests, lips met lips, and the atmosphere was full of love.” The minister gazed upon this sight approvingly, and even dimmed the lights to enhance the romantic atmosphere. Then he put on a song titled “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,”
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Whatever one thinks about it, whatever the reason for it being banned by some outlets, i will not miss hearing that song- it’s not “Christmas-y” anyway. One less cheesy “holiday” song on the stores’ muzak us fine by me.
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I now find myself – the few times I’m in a store – listening to the Muzak to hear if they are playing it, ever.
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