Baby, It's Cold Outside

Today I am listening to the 'Frank Sinatra' station on Pandora.  

Just a  few minutes ago, this song came on--"Baby it's cold outside".

This song is on lots of Christmas music albums.  I'm not sure why we associate it with the Holidays, because it doesn't mention them at all.  It does mention weather tho.   And a man and a woman.

I like this song.

My son Dustin and his wife Jessica, tell me that this is  the "date rape" holiday song.   They teased  me about that all last  year and  I was like---yeah, yeah whatever---thinking they were just saying that because the man's part in the song tries to persuade the woman to  stay.

But when this song came on a few minutes ago, I listened.

HOLY CRAP!!  It IS the date rape song of the  1940's!!

Dustin and Jess were right!!

(but I still like it)

It's so funny what was appropriate in different times.

Okay---not that they don't make inappropriate songs nowadays, but they are easy to recognize and categorize.  Back then this kind of suspicious behavior was okay.

I still like the song. It was a product of  it's time.

My son just likes to give me a bad time.

So, what do you think?

What do you think?

Wikepedia says this:

The lyrics in this duet are designed to be heard as a conversation between two people, marked as "mouse" and "wolf" on the printed score. Every line in the song features a statement from the "mouse" followed by a response from the "wolf". Usually the "wolf" part is sung by a male and the "mouse" by a female.

Criticisms of the song stem from a reading of the lyrics not as the "mouse" wanting to stay and only putting up a token protest for the sake of appearance as supported by lyrics such as "The neighbors might think...", "My father will be pacing the floor", but instead as the "mouse" genuinely wanting to leave but being stopped by the "wolf" being coercive in his pleading with the mouse. Examples of questionable lyrics in this regard include, "I simply must go", "The answer is no", "I've got to go home".^[3] There is also the line "Hey, what's in this drink", which could be taken to sound suspiciously like the "mouse" has been drugged.

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)
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 hurting my pride?)

I really can't stay
(Baby, don't hold out)
Oh, but it's cold outside

I simply must go
(But baby, it's cold outside)
The answer is no
(But baby, it's cold outside)

This welcome has been
(How lucky that you dropped in)
So nice and warm
(Look out the window at that storm)

My sister will be suspicious
(Gosh, your lips look delicious
My brother will be there at the door
(Waves upon a tropical shore)

My maiden aunt's mind is vicious
(Ooh, your lips are delicious)
But maybe just a cigarette more
(Never such a blizzard before)

I've got to get home
(But baby, you'll freeze out there)
Say, lend me your 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 life long sorrow)
At least there will be plenty implied
(If you caught pneumonia and died)

I really can't stay
(Get over that hold out)
Oh, but it's cold outside