You’ve probably belted out the duet with a friend, or tried to sing both parts shamelessly by yourself when no one was around. No matter how you love it,”Baby, It’s Cold Outside” is a Christmas classic.
But the song always rubbed me the wrong way, and I know I’m not alone. Now a very talented couple from Minnesota rewrote the lyrics to make it less creepy and sexually forward, and a little more like how a man should treat a lady.
The original song is about a man trying to persuade a woman to stay with him through the night instead of going home to her family, who are notably worried about her and when she is coming home. Read the lyrics carefully:
What’s in this drink?/What’s the sense in hurtin’ my pride?
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)
But maybe just a half a drink more (put some records on while I pour)
Um, yes sir, I do mind!
When Frank Loesser first wrote the song in 1944, no one noticed the aggressive and inappropriate gestures the man was making towards the lady, but the message doesn’t fly over as smoothly in 2016.
the original
the new “consentful” version by Lydia Liza & Josiah Lemanski
The comparison of the original and the new version is shocking.
The lyrics are:
I really can’t stay/Baby I’m fine with that
I’ve got to go away/Baby I’m cool with that
This evening has been/Been hoping you get home safe
So very nice/I’m glad you had a real good time
This evening has been/Been hoping you get home safe
So very nice/I’m glad you had a real good time
My mother will start to worry/Call her so she knows that you’re coming
Father will be pacing the floor/Better get your car a-humming
Ahhh, much better.
I just hope “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” stays the same, because I just learned the names of all nine reindeer.