Baby, It’s Cold Outside
Have you been following the outrage of the old Christmas song? I never heard this song growing up. It never played on the radio and if it did- I completely dismissed or ignored it. The song was used in the movie, Elf. The movie Elf, particularly if you like Will Ferrell, is a funny family friendly Christmas movie. I believe that the popularity of the movie brought about a revival of the song. Now it seems like every musical artist is doing a version.
The song is catchy- but the lyrics are kind of creepy. In this day and age, people are incredibly sensitive. And on the other side–people are incredibly critical that others are sensitive. It is an awkward dynamic.
The song was banned from the playlist at one radio station in California, in Denver and Cleveland. It would not surprise you to learn that the outcry from people caused the stations to resume playing the song. Is it because they really liked the song, or because they were letting the “snowflakes” win?
One one side people were saying ‘If you don’t like the song change the station or turn off the radio.” One could also say “if you really love the song that much- buy the song and put it in your playlist”.
The controversy has very little to do with the song, or more specifically the lyrics. Again, in a modern context, they are pretty creepy. Fortunately, Baby its Cold Outside, is not in any of our hymnals- so we don’t have to make a choice about keeping it or pulling it.
For me, the question and controversy surrounding this song is, “Why do I feel the way I do about it?”
I am more uncomfortable with the idea that this is a controversy, than the controversial lyrics.
What do you think? Why do you feel the way you feel?