It bothers me. But not for the reasons you’re probably thinking.
Recently, “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” has been in the news because people are suddenly offended by a 74 year old song. People want it banned from radios.
Y’all, I’ve been saying for years that the classic holiday song is highly inappropriate. FOR YEARS! And now everyone with a trendy hashtag is jumping on the bandwagon?
Seriously. Listen to the lyrics of this song. The woman literally asks, “What’s in this drink?” as the guy continues to try and convince her to stay, unable to take no for an answer. No means no, dude. This is the date rape anthem of the holiday season.
We used to have debates about this song at work whenever it inevitably came up this time of year. A friend of mine, Matt, would passionately defend his position pointing out just how inappropriate the song is. It’s wrong on so many levels.
Should it be banned from the radio, though?
I would say no. Because then it’s just a slippery slope, kids. First we’re banning “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” because the #metoo folks are pissed. But what’s next? “White Christmas”? Because it’s racist. “Here Comes Santa Claus”? Because it talks about an old man who is obviously stalking our children in their sleep.
Okay, I’m kinda joking about “White Christmas” and “Here Comes Santa Claus,” but it really does raise the question, where does it end? Following this path, we eventually reach the point where we’re just not allowed to play any Christmas music because it’s not inclusive of all ideologies or religions.
It’s really not all that different from banning books like The Wizard of Oz because of witchcraft. It’s a ridiculous notion. But in today’s world where, in spite of their being actual shades of gray all around us, we become so polarized over every single issue that we can’t help but see it as black and white.
It’s not enough for people to simply express their opinions anymore. One way is all right. The other way is all wrong.
Wow, this went from complaining about an inappropriate song to arguing for why it shouldn’t be banned to a short discussion about how we no longer understand how to find a compromise in today’s society.
Ugh… is it Christmas yet?
The Confusing Middle 
My brother and I were just having this conversation on Friday, and he had a few good thoughts so I’d like to share some of them (just don’t tell him I said they were good ideas haha)
“Because invariably, in a relationship, I feel like there will naturally come a time when one of you is like “ugh, it’s late, I work tomorrow, I wanna stay, but I gotta be responsible and go home now”… And the other person would be like “no, stay just a little bit longer… Pleeeeeeze”…So basically, if the tables were turned, and the woman was singing “it’s cold outside”, while the man was trying to leave, it would just be a cute flirty song…Plus, you play the devil’s advocate: what if the question “What’s in this drink?” Was asked because it tastes really good and she legit wants the recipe… And his answer is something innocent like “it’s a family secret… We put eggnog in the cocoa… Do you like it?”
I’ve never had a problem with the song personally. I love it! And sing it with gusto every time it comes on. But I do have an “I LOVE EVERYTHING CHRISTMAS!!” atttidue haha
LikeLiked by 2 people
That’s actually a really good point about if the roles were reversed. I kinda think a lot of arguments would be easier to settle if we were willing to put ourselves in someone else’s shoes.
LikeLiked by 2 people
So very true!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t get it either and I’m actually kind of mad that the world has gone soft particularly over Christmas music.
On a similar note, my office holiday party will not be participating in a White Elephant/Chinese Gift Exchange because management is worried that issues will arise presents are stolen…. I’m sad to admit that I work with these kinds of people.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah… Feelings could get hurt if someone steals that spice rack. Ugh… Why can’t there just be a “play at your own risk” kind of rule. If you’re afraid someone’s gonna steal something you wanted, then don’t play.
LikeLike
That’s exactly what I said! I even suggested making it a holiday sock exchange, that way everyone would get the same gift, but that idea was shot down too. Ba-humbug.
LikeLiked by 1 person