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People Say 'Baby, It's Cold Outside' Is Too Offensive For 2018

People Say 'Baby, It's Cold Outside' Is Too Offensive For 2018

Should the song continue to be a festive classic? Or be buried in Christmas past?

Rachael Grealish

Rachael Grealish

It was written in 1944 and has been performed by the likes of Dean Martin, Tom Jones and Cerys Matthews and Michael Bublé and Idina Menzel - but the famous duet 'Baby, It's Cold Outside' is at the centre of a Christmas row.

As the festive season looms large, the song has started to resurface on radio stations across the land - but the questionable lyrics have sparked a debate as to whether it should be embraced like a warm mince pie or buried with the Ghost of Christmas past.

The main beef is the 'inappropriate' lyrics - where the man tries to convince the woman to stay with him rather than go home.

The song's meaning has been at the focus of an argument across the media, including ITV's Good Morning Britain where one guest said 'radical feminists' were 'cry bullys', another saying the meaning of the song has changed. Host Piers Morgan argued the meaning hasn't changed, but some people 'want to' change it.

Podcaster Niall Boylan and journalist Daisy Buchanan appeared on the morning show with split opinions over the song. Niall thought the ban by some radio stations was unfair, whereas Daisy backed the decision it to be taken off air. However, Niall argued that the song's lyrics didn't have a sinister tone back in 1949.

Should 'Baby It's Cold Outside' Be Banned?
MGM/ITV

He said: "A beautiful song, from a beautiful film, from a time that was very different, when society was very different and these movies, they didn't even know what sex was."

Much of the debate centres around the infamous 'drink' lyric that goes: "So really I'd better scurry/ Beautiful, please don't hurry/ 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)..."

Niall defended it saying: "In relation to the drink, someone said to me during the week they objected to it because it's seriously implying there's a 'date rape' drug put into the drink, they didn't know what that was at that time."

He went on to say that feminists are being 'cry-bullies' over the song to which Daisy said: "The meaning of that song has changed."

Should 'Baby It's Cold Outside' Be Banned?
MGM/ITV

Piers was quick to step in with his opinion saying he feels Daisy wants the song 'expunged from history'

He said: "The meaning hasn't changed - people like you want to change it. You want to put a sinister tone on it, you want to expunge the song from history, why?"

Daisy argues that society has changed since then - to be fair, it really has - and she doesn't want to live in a world where 'women feel they have to say 'well, maybe I should stay' and all the woman in the song is trying to do is 'manage his expectations'.

When Daisy argues that's not what 'healthy, happy flirting looks like', both Piers and Niall argue they see no issue with the song and find it romantic. Daisy comes back with: "It's romantic for you because you're men - you have power and you don't know when you've made women feel intimidated."

Should 'Baby It's Cold Outside' Be Banned?
MGM/ITV

Fellow host Susanna Reid attempted to play mediator and said: "If this song was written now, perhaps more people might agree with you - but it is very much of its time."

Daisy had a very apt comeback. "We have to move with the times. We don't play Gary Glitter anymore."

No, Daisy we don't play Glitter anymore - for very good reason - but is she right? Here are the lyrics - what do toy think?

Baby It's Cold Outside...

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 outsideI 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...

Featured Image Credit: MGM/ITV

Topics: Christmas, UK News, Music, Good Morning Britain, US News, ITV, Piers Morgan