The Christmas season has finally arrived, bringing with it the revival of classic holiday songs that take up a majority of play time on the radio. Everyone has songs they either adore or hate, and some people just cannot stand holiday music all together. However, no song this season has received more attention and backlash than “Baby, It’s Cold Outside.” With the lyrics, “Say, what’s in this drink?” and “Oh baby don’t hold out,” many have claimed that the song implies date rape. Although the song does appear forceful at first glance, upon further inspection the song, “Baby It’s Cold Outside” does not allude to date rape, but rather tells of a scandalous romance of that time.
Even though it is the most controversial line of the song, “Say what’s in this drink?” does not imply a date rape drug, but more likely refers to a popular, cultural excuse. During the time when this song was written (1944), women would often excuse their embarrassing actions by using the idiom “what’s in this drink?” to blame intoxication. Also, right before the lyric “say what’s in this drink”, the woman asks the man to pour her “just a half a drink more” but never actually specifies any particular drink. She could simply be asking the man what exactly he poured her. Granted, it does appear slightly suspicious that the woman has to ask what is in her beverage, but upon further inspection the line likely refers to a cultural idiom, dispelling any nefarious intent.
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Throughout the song, the man continues to pressure the woman to stay later despite her continual hesitation, but the man never forces, threatens, or poses any danger to the woman. The lines, “what’s the sense in hurtin’ my pride”, “oh baby don’t hold out”, “how can you do this thing to me?”, and “gosh your lips look delicious”, come across as manipulative, audacious, and/or slightly entitled. However, the man does not cross any boundaries, approach without consent, or intimidate the woman. The man even asks for permission before making a move, which can be observed in the line “mind if I move in closer?”. Also, at all times, the woman has the opportunity to get up and leave, but never does. This blatantly displays her desire to stay. Yes, the man does persistently persuade the woman despite her protests and some people might even consider him prideful or pushy, however the woman has the ability to leave at any time and the man does not exploit the woman.
“Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” was written by Frank Loesser for his wife and the couple preformed the song at Christmas parties. When considering who wrote the song and the purpose, it dispels the theory the song depicts date rape. Why would a husband write a song for his wife where a drink is drugged or a woman is taken advantage of? At this time, it was scandalous and culturally incorrect for a woman to spend the night with a man if he was not a relative or her husband. “There's bound to be talk tomorrow, at least there will be plenty implied” displays that the woman in the song understands staying late would appear shameful, however, throughout the song the woman continues to make excuses. “But maybe just a half a drink more”, “But maybe just a cigarette more”, shows her hesitancy to leave. Especially when considering the origin of the song, “Baby It’s Cold Outside,” has more to do with cultural customs than sexual assault.
At first glance, “Baby It’s Cold Outside” can truly seem to describe a scene where a man drugs, pressures, and takes advantage of a woman, but when inspected the song does not elude to such a meaning. Ultimately, this song depicts a scene where the couple know it is culturally disgraceful to stay together late into the night, but they both wish to stay with the other. Frankly, the man should respect the woman’s wishes when the song opens with “I really can’t stay, I’ve got to go away,” and realize the social disgrace that would follow his partner if she stays, but that does not make the man a predator. The woman makes the consensual decision not to leave. Our culture has changed drastically since the 1940’s, and too many people believe that unless a woman says “yes” outright then the answer is no. However, in the song, “Baby It’s Cold Outside” the woman chooses to stay and the man does not take advantage of her. Actions on both sides are consensual.
