"Baby It's Cold Outside" Is Not a Rape Song!

Okay, I have been seeing those posts on Facebook and other social media that "Baby It's Cold Outside" is some kind of sick rape anthem. Umm...no, it is not. Let's take a closer look at the lyrics, shall we? But, before that, we want to look at the history of the song and what were the socially acceptable norms of that day and age, shall we?

The song was written way back in 1944. Now, if we look at the socially acceptable norms...in the 1940s, women wore long dresses that were just above the ankle and anything higher was deemed inappropriate or scandalous. A good girl in those times was expected to home by a certain hour and behave in a certain way. These were also the times when neighbors would know each other and there was always that nosy neighbor that would tell everyone what so and so did last night. Now, that we have down, let's see the lyrics, shall we?

"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 neighbors 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 outsideAh, you're very pushy you know?I like to think of it as opportunisticI 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 lifelong 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 coldBaby it's cold outsideOkay fine, just another drink thenThat took a lot of convincing!"

Now, I can see how this can come across as a bad song with words such as "Say what's in this drink?" and "Gosh your lips are delicious." So, it is understandable that it can come across as offensive. However, in the song, the woman is very clearly teasing the man. In the end, I think it was evident that she was going to stay a little longer. The woman in the song is worried about what people will think of her, there is no indication that she herself wants to go. She should because her parents will start to worry because she is out late, then her aunt will be judgmental about her staying at a man's house late. She mentions all of her family members because she is worried about the reputation she will get.

Now, in the 1940s reputation meant a lot to a family. This is like when you are at your boyfriend's house and he is telling you that you should stay and you know you have to leave because you have work tomorrow or you have things to do at your own house. Is that considered rape? no. Notice how she says "I really can't stay" and not "I don't want to stay" there is a difference in those words. She really can't stay because she shouldn't not because she does not want to.

"Ah, you're very pushy you know? I like to think of it as opportunistic" this is probably the line that everyone is freaking out about. She says you're being pushy...it's called...umm...I don't know...teasing. The man sees that it is cold outside and believes she should stay because it is unsafe, but he also sees this as an opportunity for her stay a little longer.

"Well, maybe just a cigarette more...(I don't even smoke)" she herself is making excuses as to why she should stay, she does not even smoke. This is the most obvious clue she wants to stay with him to wait out the blizzard that is clearly happening outside. Okay, now imagine that you are the girl and you are at your guy friends house, who happens to be gay, would that also be a threat to rape? Umm...no!

The lyrics are constantly being repeated that it is cold outside...so clearly it is cold outside. Or you could read it as both man and woman want to her to stay with him because they love each other. They want a good excuse as to why she should stay over. That's literally it. There is no rape in here. There are barely any sexual suggestions other than the lips part. Not everything is offensive and not everything is about sex. You listen to rap music? And you find "Baby It's Cold Outside" offensive? You better get a hard look at yourself and really think about it.