MMW’s Heather O. has found a shocking holiday song. Truly shocking. Using her 21st Century “sensibilities” she has analyzed the lyrics from Frank Loesser’s 1944 duet “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” and declared the song to be the gateway to Date Rape. Fortunately for Nate, the weather in Williamsburg has been unseasonably warm.
Well, in doing a bit more than just slamming the lyrics, I found something that Heather might find even more shocking, and perhaps appalling. When this song made its debut in the 1948 film Neptune’s Daughter the role of the Wolf (male voice) and the Mouse (female voice) were actually reversed so that the female was the one trying to lead the male down the primrose path.
I’d get into more detail, but this isn’t FMH.
Loesser also wrote the famed carol Let It Snow which evidently also contains sexual innuendo, albeit much more obscure. I’m sure, given time, that carol will also be slammed as insensitive and sexist.
In the mean time, I’m waiting for Heather to analyze the lyrics of Def Leppard’s Pour Some Sugar On Me. Maybe she’ll be able to make sense of them for everybody too.
4 comments
The minute "Pour Some Sugar on Me" becomes a Christmas classic, let us know. Of course, it might be the end of the world, so it won't matter much.
And "Let it Snow"....hm, that does get pretty racy. And what does "snow" really a euphamism for? Wow, women's studies classes everywhere are exploding with excitement. Finally, something more to whine about besides "her-story"....
My favorite line "I'd go into detail, but this isn't FMH"
Hi-larious.
Thanks for the link to my "Baby" article. I'm glad you liked it. But Loesser didn't write "Let it Snow" - that was written by lyricist Sammy Cahn and composer Jule Styne. They both have sexual undertones, and they're both similar to "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm" (Off with my overcoat, off with my glove / I need no overcoat, I'm burning with love!). Coincidence?
Doh! I stand humbly corrected!
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