It was about one year ago that controversary surrounded around the lyrics to a song that is three-quarters of a century old. "Baby It's Cold Outside", as written by Frank Loessner as a vehicle to be song with his wife as various social gatherings, went under attack for its lyrics that suggested a woman being forced to stay against her will; an incident, that, in the wake of the #MeToo movement apparently didn't sit well with many people, leading to several stations banning the song. The piece, which, especially in the last fifteen years, had been covered by many, was subsequently reinstated into the holiday song rotation, but not before attracting a flurry of comments.
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| John Legend and Kelly Clarkson perform their revamped version of "Baby It's Cold Outside" on their show The Voice; the song has been attracting as much controversy as the original version had last year. |
You can read my blog of a year ago right here.
The reason why I'm bringing this up again? If you scroll down all the way to this week's SNS 100, at #99 you will see yet another version of this song. While the first thing you may think is that nothing is going to stop this longtime favorite, this version has a twist. The new song, by John Legend featuring Kelly Clarkson, both coaches this season on the reality-competition series The Voice, has pretty much half the lyrics to the song changed, in an effort to make it more politically correct and to appear that the woman does have a choice to leave, and the male pretty much makes sure she does have adequate means of getting home.
While some of the lyrics are the same as it always has been, the new lines pretty much contradict the original intent of the song. For example, here is the original first verse of the song:
I really can't stay (But, baby, it's cold outside)
I've got to go away (But, baby, it's cold outside)
This evening has been (Been hoping that you'd drop 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)
But maybe just a half a drink more (Put some records on while I pour)
The neighbors might think (Baby, it's bad out there)
Say, what's in this drink? (No cab's 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)
I ought to say, "No, no, no, sir" (Mind if I move in closer?)
At least I'm gonna say that I tried (What's the sense of hurtin' my pride?)
Here are the revised lyrics, with the changes underlined:
I really can't stay (baby, it's cold outside)
I've got to go away (but, I can call you a ride)
This evening has been (I'm so glad that you dropped in)
So very nice (time spent with you is paradise)
My mom will start to worry (I'll call the cab and tell him to hurry)
My daddy will be pacing the floor (wait, what are you still livin' home for?)
So, really, I'd better scurry (your driver, his name is Murray)
But maybe just a half a drink more (oh, we're both adults, so who's keepin' score)
What will my friends think? (I think they should rejoice)
If I have one more drink? (It's your body and your choice)
Ooh you really know how (your eyes are like starlight now)
To cast a spell (one look at you and then I fell)
I ought to say, "No, no, no, sir" (then you really ought to go, go, go)
At least I'm gonna say that I tried (well, Murray, he just pulled up outside)
It will remain to be seen whether these new lyrics will be the new standard or whether the original will stick around. Articles about the new version, however have caused just as much controversary as the issue with the original last year. Sharon Osbourne, of the television talk show The Talk and wife of heavy metal legend Ozzy Osbourne, called the new lyrics "ridiculous". I have heard both versions on the radio and streaming media, so it's anybody's guess. The song, released in early November, was performed last week on The Voice, and elicited many tweets, most of them negative. One tweeter remarked: "Do us a favor and PC your own music! Do not destroy classics!" Another called it "Hot Garbage".
Deana Martin, whose father Dean Martin had the definitive reading of the song in 1959, also lashed out at the new version. Of Legend, she says "...he's stealing the thunder from Frank Loessner's song, and my dad. He should write his own song if he doesn't like this one, but don't change the lyrics".
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| Crooner and "Rat Packer" Dean Martin, whose 1959 version of "Baby It's Cold Outside" is the definitive version of the song. His daughter Deana has spoken out against the new version. |
Legend defended his song, which was co-written with actress Natasha Rothwell, maintained, "The song was supposed to be silly! It wasn't supposed to be preachy at all. I never disparaged the old version. And by the way, the original writer, or his family, gets paid for my version, too.
Regardless, the song is the fourth appearance on my SNS playlist this decade, following Haley Reinhart and Casey Abrams; Idina Menzel and Michael Buble, and last year by Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats (which had a gender-reversal, which, incidentally had been featured in the 1949 movie...along with the original incarnation...in the movie Neptune's Daughter, which won Best Song at the Oscars that year.
It should be noted that Clarkson previously recorded the version with original lyrics back in 2013 for her Wrapped In Red set, in a duet with Ronnie Dunn. There is actually another new version that was released this year, by Scott Matthew featuring Sia. The lyrics to this rather folksy, acoustic version? The original, suggesting that the new update ones may have a problem catching on, after all. Another new version is a remix by Disco Pirates, an EDM version using Dean Martin's version (just for his repeatedly "Baby It's Cold Outside" portion). Much of the lyrics are repeated are just the title passage and the song doesn't get into any of the detailed portion of the song.
SPEAKING OF HOLIDAY SONGS: As stated above, "Baby It's Cold Outside" was originally from Neptune's Daughter, and in fact, many songs of the season either came from the movies, musicals, or television; or spawned a movie or TV show. Some examples are "We Need a Little Christmas" from the musical Mame; "A Holly Jolly Christmas" from Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, "All Alone For Christmas" from the Home Alone 2: Lost in New York soundtrack; "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch", and The Raveonettes "Christmas Song" from Christmas with the Kranks, among others.
Conversely, several classics spawned specials, television series or movies as well. Examples include "Frosty the Snowman", "The Chipmunk Song", "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer", 'Santa Claus is Comin' To Town", and most recently, "Last Christmas".
Some songs are both. "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer", for example was based on a department store promotion and an animated short; in turn, it inspired the famed 1964 TV special of the same name, as well as a subsequent movie. And "White Christmas" was originally featured in the 1942 movie Holiday Inn, then in turn was featured as the title track of the 1954 movie.
Two songs, however would make for really good movies that have, for the most part, been ignored:
"Same Old Lang Syne". Recorded by the late singer songwriter Dan Fogelberg and released in 1980, the song was the true story of Fogelberg running into his old high school girlfriend in a grocery store years later and wound up talking and reminiscing and having old feelings coming back. The song ends with the two driving separately off. I'm sure you could make a good storyline out of that.
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| The Waitresses, whose 1981 holiday classic "Christmas Wrapping" is ripe for a special or movie based on the song, but hasn't been thus far. |
"Christmas Wrapping". The 1981 song by The Waitresses has in fact, been featured before: It appears most notably in the TV special Shrek the Halls", and the movie Fred Claus, as well as a few other TV episodes, films and specials. However, none of them were never used in the context of the storyline mentioned in the song: A single woman meets a guy in a ski shop then misses the opportunity to get together with him throughout the year with many mishaps occurring. Content to spending the holidays alone, she realizes she has to go to a 24 hour convenience store to get cranberries, where she runs into same guy who also forgot to buy cranberries. Heck, this should make for a good Hallmark movie, if nothing else. Hopefully someday a film or show would be based on that song, which has perennially topped my Christmas Top 100.
PENULTIMATE: During the past week, Scenes 'n Soundwaves hit the 300,000 view mark. Activity had picked up in recent weeks as I had thought I wouldn't have gotten there until at least the end of the year. A many thank to all those who have supported my blog!
It is the next-to-last SNS 100 of the year (and possibly forever), and it finds Michael Kiwanuka holding the #1 position with "Hero" by a comfortable margin. However, there are many strong songs not far behind. Molly Burch, my new favorite female artist, secures the runner-up spot with "Only One" (4-2), while The Griswolds are also hot with "Nice to Meet Ya". Tennis, meanwhile, takes a 35-8 jump with "Runner". In the 11-20 section, Jonas Brothers become the first to have a holiday song in that region this year with "Like It's Christmas" (29-17).
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| Winnetka Bowling League had one of my blog's biggest hits of 2019 with "Kombucha", have the Top Debut this week with "Slow Dances", also from the Matthew Koma-led band's second EP Cloudy With a Chance of Sun. |
As for the new entries, I wasn't sure what the follow-up to the SNS monster hit "Kombucha" would be for Winnetka Bowling League, so I went with "Slow Dances", which is the Top Debut at #70. Also from their Matthew Koma-led band's EP Cloudy With a Chance of Sun, it's a different texture from that song, and a welcome one. While "Kombucha" could be described as "Beck meets Weezer", "Sad Songs" is almost dreamy and surreal by comparison. Much of the song has a female lead, and even traces of retro-band The Raveonettes can be found. It's a song that gets better with each listen and should be another winner.
Also debuting is a band called Black Pumps, a band recommended from my friend Deepti Sinha, with "Fine"; the latest from Jack White's band The Raconteurs, "Some Days', a more mellow song from that outfit than their usual; SNS fave Run River North, whose "Run or Hide" reached #2 SNS in 2016, with "Some Days"; and the latests by Vampire Weekend and Sam Fender, both follow-ups to mid-charters on my list; as well as the aforementioned John Legend and Kelly Clarkson take on "Baby It's Cold Outside".
As mentioned earlier, next blog (dated 12/15) will be the final one before calculating both my Top 100 of 2019, as well as the Top 100 (or 200, maybe) of the 2010's. Next week will also be the recap of the year in blogging.
Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves 100
December 8, 2019
This
Week
|
Last Week
|
ARTIST-Title
|
Weeks on List
|
1
|
1
|
NUMBER ONE:
"Hero"
Album: Kiwanuka
)2 weeks at #1)
|
6
|
2
|
4
|
7
|
|
3
|
7
|
5
|
|
4
|
2
|
13
|
|
5
|
5
|
10
|
|
6
|
3
|
12
|
|
7
|
6
|
10
|
|
8
|
35
|
TOP 20 IMPACT OF THE WEEK:
"Runner"
Album: Swimmer
|
1
|
9
|
9
|
7
|
|
10
|
11
|
8
|
|
11
|
12
|
8
|
|
12
|
8
|
14
|
|
13
|
13
|
9
|
|
14
|
10
|
18
|
|
15
|
16
|
10
|
|
16
|
20
|
10
|
|
17
|
29
|
4
|
|
18
|
18
|
8
|
|
19
|
15
|
8
|
|
20
|
19
|
9
|
|
21
|
23
|
9
|
|
22
|
34
|
4
|
|
23
|
14
|
10
|
|
24
|
25
|
8
|
|
25
|
17
|
20
|
|
26
|
22
|
25
|
|
27
|
21
|
12
|
|
28
|
36
|
6
|
|
29
|
33
|
17
|
|
30
|
45
|
3
|
|
31
|
43
|
6
|
|
32
|
32
|
24
|
|
33
|
38
|
7
|
|
34
|
24
|
13
|
|
35
|
26
|
19
|
|
36
|
40
|
7
|
|
37
|
41
|
7
|
|
38
|
42
|
5
|
|
39
|
27
|
18
|
|
40
|
31
|
13
|
|
41
|
49
|
5
|
|
42
|
47
|
3
|
|
43
|
30
|
24
|
|
44
|
46
|
6
|
|
45
|
28
|
19
|
|
46
|
37
|
18
|
|
47
|
59
|
3
|
|
48
|
50
|
6
|
|
49
|
60
|
3
|
|
50
|
54
|
4
|
|
51
|
39
|
23
|
|
52
|
53
|
14
|
|
53
|
58
|
7
|
|
54
|
63
|
5
|
|
55
|
87
|
MOVER OF THE WEEK:
"Van Horn"
Album: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack-Part 1
|
3
|
56
|
73
|
2
|
|
57
|
62
|
5
|
|
58
|
48
|
14
|
|
59
|
57
|
10
|
|
60
|
61
|
10
|
|
61
|
44
|
14
|
|
62
|
68
|
3
|
|
63
|
69
|
4
|
|
64
|
51
|
22
|
|
65
|
81
|
13
|
|
66
|
52
|
24
|
|
67
|
83
|
1
|
|
68
|
66
|
7
|
|
69
|
67
|
6
|
|
70
|
---
|
TOP DEBUT:
Album: Cloudy With a Chance of Sun (EP)
|
1
|
71
|
78
|
5
|
|
72
|
72
|
4
|
|
73
|
55
|
13
|
|
74
|
88
|
3
|
|
75
|
65
|
21
|
|
76
|
92
|
2
|
|
77
|
56
|
21
|
|
78
|
64
|
20
|
|
79
|
---
|
1
|
|
80
|
71
|
16
|
|
81
|
80
|
35
|
|
82
|
94
|
2
|
|
83
|
75
|
7
|
|
84
|
---
|
1
|
|
85
|
82
|
23
|
|
86
|
77
|
21
|
|
87
|
97
|
2
|
|
88
|
---
|
1
|
|
89
|
85
|
34
|
|
90
|
---
|
1
|
|
91
|
70
|
18
|
|
92
|
---
|
1
|
|
93
|
74
|
21
|
|
94
|
99
|
31
|
|
95
|
76
|
13
|
|
96
|
86
|
16
|
|
97
|
84
|
11
|
|
98
|
93
|
26
|
|
99
|
---
|
1
|
|
100
|
91
|
25
|
Tremors:
101. Halsey, 'Graveyard"
|
|
Songs with the greatest increase in favorite points over the prior week.
● Songs with 25 or more plays on my iPod/iTunes.
▲ Songs with 50 or more plays on my iPod/iTunes.
¨ Songs with 100 or more plays on my iPod/iTunes.
The “Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves 100” is a list of current and recent song playlist which I am listening to.
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