(ABC)
Since the controversy surrounding "Baby, It's Cold Outside,” sales of the iconic Christmas song have been soaring. Billboard reports three different versions of the song from different performers have seen a bump and streaming for the song is up 54 percent for at least versions of the song.
The song—written in 1944 by Frank Loesser—was criticized this year for its lyrics. Loesser’s daughter, Susan, is also defending the song, saying listeners need to examine the context.
“It’s this flirty, funny, charming song,” Susan says. “I’ve always loved it.”
Susan Loesser says she can’t help but smile every time she hears it.
"My mother considered it their song,” Susan recalls. “That's why she was crushed when he sold it to MGM for ‘Neptune's Daughter.’"
The movie is a romantic comedy from 1949.
"But it won the Academy Award and she got over it,” Susan says.
Now, fast forward 70 years, the song is getting attention for a very different reason.
Radio stations began pulling the song, as critics argued the lyrics promotes rape culture.
The uproar centers on the particular lyric, “Say, what’s in this drink?”
It's a line that stands out, especially in the context of the #MeToo movement.
But Susan says the movement, "doesn't get it."
"I just think it's a mistake to attack this particular song,” she says. “It's not a date rape song. It's a flirt song, and they're both into it.” Read more