"Baby It's Cold Outside", for modern audiences

[bcla]

As I was watching a performance of Baby It's Cold Outside for the Disney Parks' Magical Holiday Celebration, I was coming across that one line that might seem a little bit controversial for modern audiences.

Say what's in this drink?​

I guess that line suggests that the guy is trying to give her alcohol disguised as an innocent beverage, or maybe that he's slipped a Mickey in there. Of course the whole song is filled with lyrics suggesting date rape. And what the heck is a "maiden aunt"?

I guess Frank Loesser had some other works where a guy is slipping alcohol (a rum spiked dulce de leche in Guys and Dolls) to a woman without her understanding what it was.

 

[ashley0139]

As I was watching a performance of Baby It's Cold Outside for the Disney Parks' Magical Holiday Celebration, I was coming across that one line that might seem a little bit controversial for modern audiences.

Say what's in this drink?​

I guess that line suggests that the guy is trying to give her alcohol disguised as an innocent beverage, or maybe that he's slipped a Mickey in there. Of course the whole song is filled with lyrics suggesting date rape. And what the heck is a "maiden aunt"?

I guess Frank Loesser had some other works where a guy is slipping alcohol (a rum spiked dulce de leche in Guys and Dolls) to a woman without her understanding what it was.

There's a lot of controversy about the whole song lately. I've never been a fan of that song - the whole thing just gives me a kind of creepy vibe.

 

[Skywalker]

Doesn't bug me. The song always gave me a playful, flirty vibe. Not creepy. They are both clearly into it lol.

 

[Disneylover99]

It's one if my favourite Christmas songs!

My take has always been that she knew she was being offered an alcoholic beverage, but it was stronger than she anticipated.

 

[L&Lfan]

Love the song, love the movie (Neptune's Daughter), love the line " my maiden aunt's mind is vicious" ( I picture Miss Gulch from Oz). One of my favorite versions is by Glee's Kurt and Blaine. And of course, there's Ella's.


It's a damn shame some stations have banned it from their Christmas playlists.

 

[NHdisneylover]

I think the tumblr post referenced in the linked article explains my feelings baout the song pretty well---you have to listen to it in context of the time it was written and inthe tone it was originally sung.
https://www.buzzfeed.com/andyneuens...f-baby-its-col?utm_term=.rlxvYJarG#.rrN2P5zAW

 

[Klayfish]

As I was watching a performance of Baby It's Cold Outside for the Disney Parks' Magical Holiday Celebration, I was coming across that one line that might seem a little bit controversial for modern audiences.

Say what's in this drink?​

I guess that line suggests that the guy is trying to give her alcohol disguised as an innocent beverage, or maybe that he's slipped a Mickey in there. Of course the whole song is filled with lyrics suggesting date rape. And what the heck is a "maiden aunt"?

I guess Frank Loesser had some other works where a guy is slipping alcohol (a rum spiked dulce de leche in Guys and Dolls) to a woman without her understanding what it was.

Seriously? It's a song written how many years ago? It was meant to be a funny, playful song.

If you want to go down that road, you can pick hundreds, thousands of songs, TV shows, movies etc...that have "implications" of date rape, racism, violence, or just generally non-2017 "P.C." things. Three Stoogies, Bugs Bunny, etc...

I love the song.

 

[EMom]

I think the tumblr post referenced in the linked article explains my feelings baout the song pretty well---you have to listen to it in context of the time it was written and inthe tone it was originally sung.
https://www.buzzfeed.com/andyneuens...f-baby-its-col?utm_term=.rlxvYJarG#.rrN2P5zAW

Yes, but people hate to actually THINK about things in historical context. It's so much easier to say you've been triggered and go straight to, "I'm offended! Ban it!" Thinking takes effort.

 

[ShirikiUtundu]

I hate when people ascribe a sinister context to this song. It speaks to complete ignorance about society during the period in which the song was written.

 

[anniemae]

I like it, just heard it on the radio today. I have heard people refer to it as the "date rape" song, but you have to look at when it was written. The term "maiden aunt" screams of a different era. LOL.

It was written in a time of innocence when staying at a gentlemen's house too long was scandalous. He tries to get her to stay and she is being coy.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I don't like the song..but that's actually because of the movie Elf lol. I don't like that version and many times that's the version they seem to play on the radio and so I've grown to just not like the song.

 

[ashley0139]

Never mind. It's just not worth it.

 

[Kellydelly]

Maybe I am crazy but I swear I never even heard this song until Zooey sung it in Elf. Was it played on the radio before that? I am 46 and really can't remember hearing it growing up! I do like it, but did think it odd than an old song would talk about a young woman staying at a man's place alone.

 

[belle032]

I understand the song was written in a different time period, but listening to it today...it's creepy. Sorry not sorry. It literally sounds like a holiday episode of Law & Order SVU.

I'm not going to stand outside and protest it by any means, but it's definitely not my favorite Christmas song.

 

[firefly_ris]

I personally do not and have never found it creepy. I grew up listening to the Dean Martin version so heard it well before Elf's time.

 

[QueenIsabella]

It's currently one of my favorite Christmas songs, but I freely admit to being biased--My cellist (DD14) and my violinist (DS11) play it as a duet. It's their "signature song", which is to say, the duet that sounds the most natural and they've put the most work into.

I think people are reading way, way too much into it. I love the "Elf" version--it's my favorite part of the movie. And I'm not much of a Zooey Deschanel fan.

 

[RedAngie]

Another so-called Christmas song that has absolutely nothing to do with Christmas. Phooey!!

 

[ols386]

I know that song. I like it. The only lyrics I pay any attention to are, Baby It’s Cold Outside.

 

[anniemae]

I also love the Elf version.

 

[L&Lfan]

If I like something, nothing anyone who's against it can say is gonna affect me. Especially concerning a pop song from World War II. Especially when I understand the context. I'm not sorry at all for my view. Today's lyrics and meanings I find much more disturbing.