‘Baby, It’s Cold Outside’ pulled from some Canadian radio stations
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 04/12/2018 (2468 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
TORONTO – “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” is getting a chilly response from Canadian radio stations.
CBC Radio said Tuesday it’s joining at least two other broadcasters in the country, Rogers Media and Bell Media, in pulling the controversial Christmas favourite out of their rotations this year.
The move comes as the duet, written back in 1944, faces renewed scrutiny over what some say are inappropriate lyrics in the wake of the #MeToo movement.
CBC spokeswoman Nicola Makoway said the public broadcaster would remove the song at midnight Tuesday with “no plans to play it going forward.”
Earlier this week, Cleveland radio station WDOK-FM announced it would no longer play the song in response to listener feedback. Some took issue with lyrics where one singer is trying to persuade the other to stay inside, with exchanges that include, “What’s in this drink?” and “Baby, don’t hold out.”
About the song
Baby Its Cold Outside has been considered a holiday classic ever since it won the Academy Award for best original song in the1949 film "Neptune’s Daughter." Turner Classic Movies describes the plot of the film as: "mistaken identity complicates a polo player’s romance with a bathing suit designer."
Here’s the scene in which the song is sung:
Eight recordings of the duet by different artists were released in 1949, and it’s been recorded by more than 50 duos since then
Bell Media spokesman Scott Henderson said the company, which runs two 24-hour Christmas stations in Vancouver and Ottawa, chose not to include the Christmas tune on its playlists this year.
“The song wasn’t scheduled for airplay on any Bell Media Radio stations and there are no plans to play it in the future,” he said in an emailed statement.
Rogers Media also runs a number of all-Christmas music stations, including 98.1 CHFI-FM in Toronto and 98.5 CIOC-FM in Victoria. Spokeswoman Caitlin Decarie said the broadcaster also removed the song this year, but declined to outline how it reached the decision.
“There are so many wonderful songs that celebrate the holiday season,” she said.
“Baby, It’s Cold Outside” has been considered a holiday classic ever since it won the Academy Award for best original song in the film “Neptune’s Daughter.”
It’s since been covered countless times by singers including Ray Charles and Betty Carter, Idina Menzel and Michael Buble, as well as Dolly Parton and Rod Stewart.
Concern over the song has existed for years, leading to many reinterpretations of the lyrics.
Lady Gaga and Joseph Gordon-Levitt flipped the gender roles in a performance for the pop singer’s 2013 holiday special with the Muppets.
And two years ago, Minnesota couple Lydia Liza and Josiah Lemanski rewrote the lyrics to include lines about consent, such as a response to the woman’s line “I ought to say no, no, no” with the man saying: “You reserve the right to say no.”
Read the lyrics
The song’s parts are assigned to “The Mouse” and “The Wolf,” rather than male and female singers — though most recordings over the years have The Mouse sung by a woman and The Wolf by a man.
The song’s parts are assigned to “The Mouse” and “The Wolf,” rather than male and female singers — though most recordings over the years have The Mouse sung by a woman and The Wolf by a man.
In the text below, the part of The Wolf is indicated by parentheses.
[Verse 1]
I really can’t stay
(But baby it’s cold outside)
I’ve got to 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 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?)
[Chorus]
I really can’t stay
(Oh, baby don’t hold out)
Baby it’s cold out side
[Verse 2]
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 the storm)
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 aunt’s 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 comb
(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 pneumonia and died)
[Chorus]
I really can’t stay
(Get over that old out)
Baby it’s cold
Baby it’s cold outside
