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'Tis the season to spend time with family, reflect on the past year and listen to (subtly offensive) holiday music.
While it's always fun to blast holiday cheer into your home during the winter months, there are a few outdated Christmas songs that are a bit insulting, sexist and just downright creepy. Even if you still listen to these classics -- and, hey, most of us probably will this holiday season -- itβs good to be informed.
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Here are five songs that don't do women any favors during the holidays -- or ever:
"Baby, It's Cold Outside"
Lyrics in question:
I simply must go // Baby, it's cold outside.
The answer is no // Baby, it's cold outside.
and
The neighbors might think // Baby, it's bad out there.
Say, what's in this drink? // No cabs to be had out there.
The creepy lyrics of this holiday classic have been dissected many times, for obvious reasons. The 1949 film "Neptune's Daughter" featured the song multiple times, once where a man attempts to make a woman stay and once where the roles are reversed (watch above). "Glee" also revamped the song when Kurt and Blaine, two gay characters, sang it. However, the song typically features a woman singing the part of the person who clearly wants to leave. Don't even get us started on the line, "Hey, what's in this drink?" Baby, it may be cold outside, but please respect my (and everyone else's) boundaries, OK?
I simply must go // Baby, it's cold outside.
The answer is no // Baby, it's cold outside.
and
The neighbors might think // Baby, it's bad out there.
Say, what's in this drink? // No cabs to be had out there.
The creepy lyrics of this holiday classic have been dissected many times, for obvious reasons. The 1949 film "Neptune's Daughter" featured the song multiple times, once where a man attempts to make a woman stay and once where the roles are reversed (watch above). "Glee" also revamped the song when Kurt and Blaine, two gay characters, sang it. However, the song typically features a woman singing the part of the person who clearly wants to leave. Don't even get us started on the line, "Hey, what's in this drink?" Baby, it may be cold outside, but please respect my (and everyone else's) boundaries, OK?
"Dear Santa (Bring Me a Man This Christmas)"
Lyrics in question:
I need a man this Christmas.
Let it be known that The Weather Girls have some serious pipes (listen to "It's Raining Men" if you need more proof). But let it also be known that women don't need a man at Christmas or any other time to truly shine.
I need a man this Christmas.
Let it be known that The Weather Girls have some serious pipes (listen to "It's Raining Men" if you need more proof). But let it also be known that women don't need a man at Christmas or any other time to truly shine.
"It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas"
Lyrics in question:
A pair of hop-along boots and a pistol that shoots is the wish of Barney and Ben.
Dolls that will talk and will go for a walk is the hope of Janice and Jen.
For the record, Janice and Jen can have boots and toy pistols on their Christmas wish lists just as much as Barney and Ben can hope for a few dolls under the tree. Toys separated by gender are so 10 years ago.
A pair of hop-along boots and a pistol that shoots is the wish of Barney and Ben.
Dolls that will talk and will go for a walk is the hope of Janice and Jen.
For the record, Janice and Jen can have boots and toy pistols on their Christmas wish lists just as much as Barney and Ben can hope for a few dolls under the tree. Toys separated by gender are so 10 years ago.
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"Up on the Housetop"
Lyrics in question:
First comes the stocking of little Nell. Oh, dear Santa fill it well.
Give her a dolly that laughs and cries, one that can open and shut its eyes.
and
Look in the stocking of little Bill. Oh, just see what a glorious fill.
Here is a hammer and lots of tacks, a whistle and a ball and a whip that cracks.
Here's yet another Christmas song with lyrics about gendered toys. In "Up on the Housetop," little girls want dolls and little boys want a hammer, a whistle and a whip (yikes!).
First comes the stocking of little Nell. Oh, dear Santa fill it well.
Give her a dolly that laughs and cries, one that can open and shut its eyes.
and
Look in the stocking of little Bill. Oh, just see what a glorious fill.
Here is a hammer and lots of tacks, a whistle and a ball and a whip that cracks.
Here's yet another Christmas song with lyrics about gendered toys. In "Up on the Housetop," little girls want dolls and little boys want a hammer, a whistle and a whip (yikes!).
"Santa Baby"
Lyrics in question:
Think of all the fun I've missed, think of all the fellas that I haven't kissed.
Next year I could be just as good, if you check off my Christmas list.
Nothing says Christmas like a materialistic woman who thinks she has to avoid kissing men in order to be "good," right? Though some men have given this song a twist, it usually features a woman singing about her desire for things like Tiffany's products, a platinum mine and a ring. It also implies a woman can only land a spot on Santa's "Nice List" if she doesn't have too much fun or kiss too many "fellas." Yawn.
Think of all the fun I've missed, think of all the fellas that I haven't kissed.
Next year I could be just as good, if you check off my Christmas list.
Nothing says Christmas like a materialistic woman who thinks she has to avoid kissing men in order to be "good," right? Though some men have given this song a twist, it usually features a woman singing about her desire for things like Tiffany's products, a platinum mine and a ring. It also implies a woman can only land a spot on Santa's "Nice List" if she doesn't have too much fun or kiss too many "fellas." Yawn.
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