The song "Baby It's Cold Outside" was written in 1944 as a romantic comedy duet. In the 21st century, it has come to be seen as creepy because the man is trying to prevent a woman from leaving his company.
The country-western duo The Doohickeys rewrote the song by changing only the male lines to make it more appropriate for modern sensibilities. So she's in 1944 and he's in 2025- talk about an age gap! In this version, it becomes obvious that the woman really wants to stay, but she is using the expected performative phrases to protect her reputation as "hard to get" or a "good girl." The clues as to her age don't translate well across the years, because in 1944 it was more common for a woman to live with her parents until she married, no matter her age. What she really wants out of the evening is ambiguous, because back in the day, the difference between romance and sex wasn't explicitly discussed in polite society. It's no wonder signals were so often crossed. "Clear and enthusiastic consent" may not lend itself to jokes as well, but it's a better way.
I've always, ALWAYS, hated that creepy song, but this update is much more appropriate in the message it sends! Good stuff!
ReplyDeleteAs a different point of view; it seemed to me that he was interested in having her stay, and she was being demure, which was right for the cultural climate of ... what was it, 1949 ?
ReplyDeleteYou all need to see the movie ... or listen to the end of the song where 'she' is singing 'Baby, its cold outsideeee !' and obviously wanting to stay
I mean, she was happy, why paint it a different colour ?
If there were locked doors, or Jeffery Epstien's creepy fingers, or Harvey the movie guy holding work and fame over some female, yeah, thats creepy as anything ... but Bing Crosby happily saying all the reasons she should stay ? ... seems to me if he just kept quiet and let her go out into the freezing snow, etc, she would think him a bit of a wimpy homosexual.
Don't get me wrong, I had daughters at a young age and became, and still am, fiercely protective of them, and by association, all other girls and women ...but if you don't ask you may not get and they will never know you are interested if you don't say anything ... it is how you say it that counts.
Your mileage may vary, after all I have only ever been male.
And, speaking of creepy ... check out Nag on the Lake's post 'I Want a Boy for Christmas'.
ReplyDeleteAfter the first polite refusal, accept it and respect her decision. Continuing to badger her over and over and over to change her mind is simply an attempt to control her and the outcome. And that's precisely what makes it creepy. "No" means "no," not "maybe."
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