Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

‘Cancelled’ Christmas Song Defended as People Debate ‘Triggering’ Lyrics
Tyla ^ | Britt Jones

Posted on 12/10/2025 5:10:47 PM PST by nickcarraway

The 1950s song was briefly taken off the air due to its lyrics

Christmas is nearly here and that means old Xmas classics will be blasting on the radio soon. However, will this ‘cancelled’ one make an appearance this year?

There has been a slew of controversial festive hits in the last few decades, and mostly, it’s down to changing times and social or political norms.

For example, The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl’s1988 ‘Fairytale of New York’ hit is regularly censored as it includes a word which is used as a homophobic slur.

There’s also Weird Al Yankovic’s ‘Christmas At Ground Zero’, which talks a about a nuclear disaster over the festive period, and it's a little iffy.

However, it’s Frank Loesser’s 1959 ‘Baby It’s Cold Outside’ hit that has been the subject of a debate for years.

Loesser, who NME reports wrote the song for him and his wife to duet at parties, has long been accused of including themes of date rape.

Because it’s nearly that time of year again, people have been bringing it up and discussing if this song deserves to be on the radio in 2025.

The Reddit user wrote: “Am I the only one who thinks that ‘Baby, it's cold outside’ is a horrific Christmas song about date-rape?”

This was then followed by examples of the lyrics so others could ‘be the judge’ and pass verdict.

For example, lines like 'Say, what's in this drink? (No cab's to be had out there)' .

But while there are some who aren’t happy about the song, others wish it was never ‘cancelled’ online for its themes, as it’s ‘a fun’ song.

There were those who refused the notion that the song was cancelled as they still hear it on the radio, and another claimed it’s not actually a controversial song, it’s actually a feminist anthem.

They said the woman is simply refusing his offer to stay so she could remain ‘proper’ due to it being improper to have sex outside of marriage.

In 2018, when US radio stations took Dean Martin’s version of the song off the air, Martin’s daughter criticised the decision, saying: “It’s a sweet, flirty, fun holiday song … I know my dad would be going insane right now.”

People have debated whether the lyrics are telling of date rape (Westend61/ Getty Stock) People have debated whether the lyrics are telling of date rape (Westend61/ Getty Stock) Essentially, the classic Christmas song is all about a woman who has dropped in to spend some time with a man at his home, have a drink or two and warm up as it snows outside.

However, when the time comes for her to leave, the man begins to try to convince her to stay... for what seems like adult activities.

With lyrics like ‘what’s in this drink’, and ‘the answer is no’, it even caused John Legend to rewrite it for his 2019 rendition.

One person on Reddit called the song ‘triggering’ and asked social media users if they too find it uncomfortable.

But the jury isn't out on it yet.

So, there you go. What do you think?


TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: christmas
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-49 next last
To: nickcarraway

I like this take on the controversy:

“Baby, Just Go Outside”

https://youtu.be/CJB9GP5gyAw?si=LjMJI5fq7srKKq96


21 posted on 12/10/2025 5:54:44 PM PST by Southside_Chicago_Republican (God save the United States!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

The people pretending to be offended by this beautiful American classic are the same people who care nothing at all about Biden trafficking and losing 300,000 unaccompanied Children.


22 posted on 12/10/2025 5:58:19 PM PST by UnwashedPeasant (The pandemic we suffer from is not COVID. It is Marxist Democrat Leftism. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: No name given
The Left hates the song BECAUSE it is wholesome.
23 posted on 12/10/2025 6:00:39 PM PST by UnwashedPeasant (The pandemic we suffer from is not COVID. It is Marxist Democrat Leftism. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: EvilCapitalist

That certainly puts things into perspective. 😂


24 posted on 12/10/2025 6:00:41 PM PST by Allegra
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

I thinks it’s AI clickbait topic. Not worth cogitating about it.


25 posted on 12/10/2025 6:02:59 PM PST by Getready (Wisdom is more valuable than gold and harder to find.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

In the year that “baby it’s cold outside” was banned do you know what the hit song was?
It was “Wet A$$ P*ssy” by Cardi B.
Just for a little cultural perspective.

CC


26 posted on 12/10/2025 6:05:45 PM PST by Celtic Conservative (Heghlu'meH QaQ jajvam!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

What about ‘I’m dreaming of a White Christmas’ - that could e interpreted as racist...


27 posted on 12/10/2025 6:17:03 PM PST by GOPJ (Soros & democrats back criminals, dope dealers, illegals & terrorists. <P><I><B><big><center></B>)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: No name given

Christmas is a big deal for children and liberals don’t want children. They prefer abortion to buying Christmas presents. When they don’t have children they become school teachers and try to turn other people’s children into atheists.


28 posted on 12/10/2025 6:17:54 PM PST by webheart (Notice how I said all of that without any hyphens, and only complete words? )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

Oh my some twit on reddit said it’s triggering......

Baby, It’s Cold Outside

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnYSTnTMGQo

Loop it.


29 posted on 12/10/2025 6:32:06 PM PST by BFW
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

reddit is a sewer and full of low iq people who hate on everything normal


30 posted on 12/10/2025 6:37:53 PM PST by markman46 (engage brain before using keyboard!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

Much ado about nothing.


31 posted on 12/10/2025 6:40:25 PM PST by sauropod
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

I heard the Pogues “Fairytale of New York” playing last time I went. I was soooo hoping they kept the original words, but alas.... As a refresher...

CM; “You’re a bum you’re a punk”
SM; “You’re an old slut on junk lying there almost dead on that drip in the bed”
CM; “You scumbag you maggot, you cheap lousy faggot. Happy Christmas your arse I pray God it’s our last.”

I guess maybe maggots would be offended?


32 posted on 12/10/2025 6:44:39 PM PST by Organic Panic ('Was I molested. I think so' - Ashley Biden in response to her father joining her in the shower)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: No name given

The left can’t wait for the Islamic prayers to take over any and all “holiday” music.


33 posted on 12/10/2025 6:45:31 PM PST by Organic Panic ('Was I molested. I think so' - Ashley Biden in response to her father joining her in the shower)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

I couldn’t be more done with giving a sh*t about pickle smuggler’s “feelings”.


34 posted on 12/10/2025 6:46:13 PM PST by Sicon ("All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others." - G. Orwell)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

“Baby it’s cold outside” is offensive.

Meanwhile, “Wet Ass Pussy” is a hit.

What happened to this country?


35 posted on 12/10/2025 6:46:49 PM PST by Tzimisce ( )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

If it’s American, it’s gotta go away.


36 posted on 12/10/2025 6:47:06 PM PST by SaxxonWoods (Annnd....TRUMP IS RIGHT AGAIN.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

I think people who find it “triggering” can go to hell. I’m sick to death of petty whining over complete inconsequentialities.


37 posted on 12/10/2025 6:49:27 PM PST by Albion Wilde (To live free is the greatest gift; to die free is the greatest victory. —Erica Kirk)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

Ugliness, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder.


38 posted on 12/10/2025 6:54:06 PM PST by Savage Beast (When the student is ready, the teacher appears. When the people are ready, the hero appears.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway
I think everybody should watch comedian Tom Cotter's comparison of "Baby, It's Cold Outside" to "WAP: (click pic). It's a hilarious stand-up comedy routine where he humorously compares the lyrics of the classic Christmas song "Baby, It's Cold Outside" (often criticized for being suggestive or "rapey") to the explicitly vulgar lyrics of "WAP" by Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion, highlighting perceived double standards in what gets canceled or celebrated. This clip went viral almost five years ago.

I had to look up "WAP" -- you'll have to do the same! It ain't pretty.


39 posted on 12/10/2025 7:21:41 PM PST by ProtectOurFreedom
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

These idiots live to be offended.


40 posted on 12/10/2025 7:36:31 PM PST by TBP (Decent people cannot fathom the amoral cruelty of the Democrat cult.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-49 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson