14 thoughts on “Virtual Musical Advent Calendar, December 3 : Baby It’s Cold Outside

  1. “Baby It’s Cold Outside” is a song that people take way too seriously. Every Christmas, you can find debates on the internet on whether or not the song is a “pro-rape” song because the man or wolf is trying to convince the woman or mouse (shouldn’t be cat and mouse or wolf and deer, as far as I know wolves and mice do not interact in nature) to stay the night rather than respect her wishes to leave. I recognize that consent is of absolute importance and that there is a fine, thin line between consensual seduction and immoral sexual activity but really. Sometimes intellectuals tend to over analyze things.Report

    1. I’m vaguely creeped out by the song. You could spend plenty of time discussing why, of course, but the uncomfortable consent issues the song raises don’t show up only after dedicated critical analysis of the text. They’re right there on the surface.Report

  2. Sometimes intellectuals tend to over analyze things.

    Isn’t that the whole point of our comment section here?Report

    1. 1+. These are really fantastic.

      And, as a certain best friend and occasional co-blogger has said to me, it’s funny that this popular holiday song is premised on a young woman’s concern about her reputation as a virgin. Knowing this about it makes a lot more sense.Report

      1. Captcha is messing up my ability to post direct comments. But I can do a reply to another comment. So while I affirm that this is a superb series of posts, I’ve this to contribute:

        Dolly Parton and Rod Stewart seems like it could have worked.Report

  3. Excellent post Tod.

    I humbly request entries on

    1. Father Christmas by the Kinks

    2. Fairytale of New York by the Pogues

    3. Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight) by the RamonesReport

  4. the now-classic rendition by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Jordan.

    Which made the implied sex interracial. Consider my mind blown.Report

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