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Daughter of composer of controversial Christmas song defends tune

There is growing controversy over the lyrics to one of the world’s favourite Christmas songs.

Multiple radio stations in the US have banned the song ‘Baby, It’s Cold Outside’ because in the #MeToo era, some say the lyrics can be likened to date rape.

The song, written in 1944 by Broadway composer Frank Loesser, is about a woman telling her date she wants to go home, while he tries to convince her to stay.

“Say what’s in this drink?’ the woman says to her date; he answers, ‘No cabs to be had out there.’

The song featured in the 1949 film Neptune’s Daughter, starring Ricardo Montalban and Esther Williams (pictured). Source: 7News
The song featured in the 1949 film Neptune’s Daughter, starring Ricardo Montalban and Esther Williams (pictured). Source: 7News

Susan Loesser, the 74-year-old daughter of the song’s composer, has fired back, saying it’s by no means a “date rape song.”

“The song isn’t about abuse of power, it’s about flirtation, and that’s how flirtation was in those days,” she said.

Speaking to NBC News, Loesser blamed the controversy over the song on Bill Cosby, who “ruined it for everybody.”

“Way before #Me Too, I would hear from time to time people call it a date rape song,” she said.

“I would get annoyed because it’s a song my father wrote for him and my mother to sing at parties.

“But ever since Cosby was accused of drugging women, I hear the date rape thing all the time.”

The composer’s daughter, Susan Loesser, says the song is about flirtation, not date rape. Source: 7News
The composer’s daughter, Susan Loesser, says the song is about flirtation, not date rape. Source: 7News

The song was banned by a radio station in Cleveland after receiving listener complaints and other stations in Colorado, Toronto and California followed suit, Entertainment Weekly reports.

Susan Loesser said her father, who died in 1969, would be “furious” over the controversy.

Some radio stations have since reinstated the song after listeners voted to keep it.

San Francisco radio station KOIT’s program director Brian Figula said in a statement that the majority of listeners who voted wanted to keep the song on air.

“More than seven out of every ten listeners who responded said although some lyrics of the song may reflect a different era and a different sensibility than today, still they love the tradition and history of the song, and want to hear it as part of their holiday season,” he said in a statement.

Broadway composer Frank Loesser wrote the song in 1944. He died in 1969. Source: 7News
Broadway composer Frank Loesser wrote the song in 1944. He died in 1969. Source: 7News

Why is the song controversial?

Here are the full lyrics to the song, which featured in the 1949 film Neptune’s Daughter, starring Ricardo Montalban and Esther Williams.

The duo sing the song as Williams’ character tries to leave Montalban’s apartment.

I really can’t stay (Baby it’s cold outside)
I gotta go away (Baby it’s cold outside)
This evening has been (Been hoping that you’d dropped in)
So very nice (I’ll hold your hands they’re just like ice)
My mother will start to worry (Beautiful what’s your hurry?)
My father will be pacing the floor (Listen to the fireplace roar)
So really I’d better scurry (Beautiful please don’t hurry)
Well maybe just a half a drink more (I’ll put some records on while I pour)

The neighbours might think (Baby it’s bad out there)
Say what’s in this drink? (No cabs to be had out there)
I wish I knew how (Your eyes are like starlight now)
To break this spell (I’ll take your hat, your hair looks swell) (Why thank you)
I ought to say no, no, no sir (Mind if move in closer?)
At least I’m gonna say that I tried (What’s the sense of hurtin’ my pride?)
I really can’t stay (Baby don’t hold out)
Baby it’s cold outside

Ah, you’re very pushy you know?
I like to think of it as opportunistic

I simply must go (Baby it’s cold outside)
The answer is no (But baby it’s cold outside)
The welcome has been (How lucky that you dropped in)
So nice and warm (Look out the window at that storm)
My sister will be suspicious (Gosh your lips look delicious!)
My brother will be there at the door (Waves upon a tropical shore)
My maiden aunt’s mind is vicious (Gosh your lips are delicious!)
Well maybe just a cigarette more (Never such a blizzard before) (And I don’t even smoke)

I’ve got to get home (Baby you’ll freeze out there)
Say lend me a coat? (It’s up to your knees out there!)
You’ve really been grand, (I feel when I touch your hand)
But don’t you see? (How can you do this thing to me?)
There’s bound to be talk tomorrow (Think of my life long sorrow!)
At least there will be plenty implied (If you caught pneumonia and died!)
I really can’t stay (Get over that old out)
Baby it’s cold
Baby it’s cold outside
Okay fine, just another drink then
That took a lot of convincing!