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Editor’ Note: Originally published in December of 2018, when the PC police went one song too far and came after “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”….and republished this year because traditions are important and it’s also important to realize the false pretense and logic of trying to apply one generation’s cultural perceptions vs. an earlier generation’s ideals….we side with Mel Brooks on the PC movement: not a good idea and very bad for comedy.

Paying Attention:
Embed from Getty Images
A radio station in Cleveland,Ohio has completely lost both their nerve and the holiday spirit.
WDOK (FM 102.1) has pulled all versions of “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” from their holiday playlist because of a complaint from a single listener–although the station said, in a namby-pamby press release–that the move was the result of a “decision by our listeners”. The station cited a poll as the basis for the decision but–in a namby-pamby move–didn’t give the results of the poll.
On Facebook, another source said the station’s site noted that “92% of the listeners favored the song” and only “8% were for removing it from the playlist. ” The station’s program director pulled it anyway, showing true namby-pamby spirit.
The usual suspects also chipped in with over-reaction to the song, saying “it’s not something I want to promote” in commenting on the lyrics of a song first published in the 1940s and played during every Christmas season since.  We have seen this problem before, when someone applies standards (not necessarily advanced) of one century to cultural icons and practices of the past.
It’s always a disaster. Different time periods. Different standards.
Wait until they start going after all those early suggestive paintings, like Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus” or Goya’s “The Nude Maja”. Oh boy…….
Here are the lyrics:

The people who thought “Baby It’s Cold Outside” is not proper ought to take a few minutes to listen to some rap lyrics if they’re looking for verbal targets. Good luck with that crusade……those are guys are going to tell the too-easily-offended to beat it–although in much more colorful language.
There will not be a poll.
The solution to this particular type of my-taste-is-better-than-your taste/ my-perception-sees-sexual connotations-where-there-are none situation is dead simple: if you don’t like the song or it’s lyrics, turn it off or change the channel and don’t listen.
Freedom of speech covers the right to play the song and also the right to not have to listen to it. Just because some see evil in every lyric or photo doesn’t mean that others do.
No one needs a press release or a quote from the self-appointed PC police. Just turn the song off on your radio and keep it to yourself.
As for the rest of us?
Baby it’s cold outside.
We’re turning it up.

The Fine Print: Photo embed courtesy of our friends at GettyImages.com, who have the photographic history of the 20th and 21st century on file. This image has not been altered in any way. All rights belong to GettyImages.com or their designee. We thank them for sharing. Have a Happy Holiday season.