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#MeToo, Gone Too Far? Radio Station Bans Christmas Song “Baby It’s Cold Outside”

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Look, I get the “Me Too” movement.

I especially understand those women who were pressured into something they didn’t want to do because their career was being threatened, or the unwanted advances for sex went far beyond the typical male begging and became physical, without consent.

I also believe there is a limit to how far the “#Me Too” should influence society and dictate to us what they think is unacceptable.

That limit was reached and passed with an Ohio radio station in Cleveland that decided the song, Baby It’s Cold Outside is offensive to #Me Too.

Star 102, an FM radio station, has banned playing the song written by Frank Loesser in 1944. The most played version was recorded with Dean Martin as the “wolf” and it is a classic, played among the many Christmas songs heard on the radio and included on many holiday DVDs.

The lyrics, according to a very few #Me Too listeners of Star 102, promote date rape. Pressuring a woman for sex without consent, they claim. 102’s Facebook page has been left multitudes of comments from local listeners angry with their decision to ban playing the song.

The lyrics in this duet are designed to be heard as a conversation between two people with the female singing the part of the “mouse” and the male singing the part of the “wolf,” though it has been reversed on occasion, most notably with Red Skelton as the “mouse” and Betty Garrett as the “wolf” in the 1949 movie, Neptune’s Daughter. The song won an Academy Award.

These are the lyrics:

I really can’t stay (but baby, it’s cold outside)
I’ve got to go away (but baby, it’s cold outside)
This evening has been (been hoping that you’d drop 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)
But maybe just a half a drink more (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)
I ought to say, no, no, no sir (mind if I move in closer?)
At least I’m gonna say that I tried (what’s the sense in hurtin’ my pride?)
I really can’t stay (oh baby don’t hold out)
But baby, it’s cold outside
I simply must go (but baby, it’s cold outside)
The answer is no (but baby, it’s cold outside)
Your welcome has been(how lucky that you dropped in)
So nice and warm (look out the window at this dawn)
My sister will be suspicious (gosh your lips look delicious)
My brother will be there at the door (waves upon the tropical shore)
My maiden aunts mind is vicious (gosh your lips are delicious)
But maybe just a cigarette more (never such a blizzard before)
I’ve gotta get home(but baby, you’d freeze out there)
Say lend me a coat(it’s up to your knees out there)
You’ve really been grand (i thrill when you touch my hand)
But don’t you see? (how can you do this thing to me?)
There’s bound to be talk tomorrow (think of my lifelong sorrow)
At least there will be plenty implied (if you got pnuemonia and died)
I really can’t stay (get over that old out)
Baby, it’s cold
Baby, it’s cold outside

 

So, we all know what is implied in the song – he wants her to stay longer – presumably for sex. She’s worried about her reputation. She has been there all night (look out the window at this dawn).

As is done today, in 1944 alcohol would be the blame for lowering inhibitions. She agrees to staying with, But maybe just a half a drink more.

Her asking, Say what’s in this drink? appears to be the most offensive to the #Me Too crowd. They think it implies he gave her a date rape drug, but I say she is well aware of her surroundings as the song continues.

I ought to say, no, no, no sir
At least I’m gonna say that I tried

In fact, she eventually does say, “No,” though she obviously wants to stay when she again delays leaving with, But maybe just a cigarette more.

The song gives no indication that the man is given anything more than a case of blue balls. It’s a song that, if anything, puts on display the thought process of a man and woman who are obviously attracted to each other.

She wasn’t raped, or threatened, or groped, or assaulted in the song. If this is a #Me Too offense, then every man (and a lot of women) needs to apologize for some past point in their life.

#Me Too goes too far with this complaint. A radio station banning the song is just stupidity. There are limits to being politically correct.

I’m going to put in a complaint about that song, One Horse Open Sleigh.

It abuses a poor horse that had its tail bobbed, having bells tied to it, while making it run through the snow, dragging a heavy sled with people laughing the entire time. Where’s the ASPCA?

And should we ban, I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Clause ? A child witnessing their mother being unfaithful. The horror!

For those who want the new Feminist approved version of Baby It’s Cold Outside, I added a video.

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Disclaimer: On January 4, 2016, the owner of WestEastonPA.com began serving on the West Easton Council following an election. Postings and all content found on this website are the opinions of Matthew A. Dees and may not necessarily represent the opinion of the governing body for The Borough of West Easton.