I think Fairytale of New York manages to be both about a whiny loser and the greatest Christmas song ever.
She wants to stay the night, but she wants him to work for it. She wants him to beg.
Maybe this is a creepy song…
Blech.
This is something else I don’t get. If you want it, just say it.
Oh, it’s just playing back and forth. Just flirty stuff. No big deal. Just fun all around and not taking it seriously.
I think you’re right, the difference in eras brings a difference in perspective.
The song was written in 1944. Young single women often lived at home with their parents, there being half an eyebrow raised if they had their own place without a compelling reason. It was scandalous for them to stay out too late, or even worse all night. They were expected to be demure and put up some resistance when it came to physical affection. They were considered loose if they capitulated easily, and it was downright shocking for them to in any way be the aggressors.
The lady in the song is torn. On the one hand, she mentions how much she’s enjoying the evening, and she readily agrees – twice – to stay a little longer. On the other hand, she’s acutely aware of censure from her family and society if she stays too long. He’s trying to offer her excuses to get around that. In the course of the song, she’s allowing herself to be persuaded not to leave yet, but there’s no way she’s going to bluntly say what she wants. That’s just not how respectable women acted at the time.
What makes the song fun for a lot of us is how it portrays her dilemma, his desperation, and the tug of war between what they want and what they know is acceptable. It pretty well sums up typical attitudes in the days preceding the sexual revolution of the 60’s. In my view, it’s charmingly quaint now, but not at all creepy.
You have definitely helped me to not see it as creepy. It only requires looking at it from someone else’s perspective.
If only this same method could be used as effectively in politics and religion. 
To my knowledge I have never heard “Baby it’s Cold Outside” so I looked up the lyrics. On paper it does look rather pervy. Something about the way she’s protesting and it’l like he’s not even hearing her. She’s talking about her brother waiting for her at the door and he’s staring at her delicious lips, possibly with a bit of drool running down the side of his mouth I could also see it being a lovely duet, ,though. Will have to listen when I get a chance.
As to “I saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus”, I always sing it as “I saw mommy tinkle on Santa Claus” because that’s how it sounds on John Mellancamp’s version. I guess that just makes *me * creepy, though.
Well, it’s his job to persist and her job to resist – up to a point.
I think it’s a great duet, and a true duet (can’t be done solo). For a first listen, I suggest this version by Johnny Mercer and Margaret Whiting, done straight, as written*, by two accomplished singers. This song has been done by everybody and his brother (sister?), and there’s a thread on the dope about people’s favorite versions – lots to choose from.
*Part of which is stepping on each other’s lines, which I think is a significant element of the song.
Blink-182’s I Won’t Be Home For Christmas – a cautionary tale about the dangers of flipping out and chasing annoying carolers with a baseball bat.
Santa Baby has been covered, twice, by men. shudder Go look it up if you want to know by who, and how. 'Cause I only heard it once, and that was enough.
Think of all the girlies that I didn’t kiss.
Made me want to run out of the diner where it was played.
Wow, that is an absolutely charming performance; thanks for turning me on to it!
Santa Baby, covered by men. Yes.
I don’t care for the song, anyway, so I’ve never really listened to the lyrics. Reading them, it comes off as a person (typically woman) wishing for lots of cash and goodies, and wanting Santa to hurry and deliver the loot.
Given that interpretation, I guess it isn’t a problem for a guy to be desperate for Santa to bring him loot, too. But the thing is, the song typically sounds like the narrator is waiting for Santa for some more personal attention, not prized possessions. So when I hear [bass]“Santa, Baby, hurry down the chimney tonight,”[/bass], I hear, “Santa, Baby, hurry up my chimney tonight.” YMMV.
**Arkcon ** said:
What, are you reading that as “little girlies”? I think you’re reading too much into that line.
Gary T said:
Sure, but then why are we supposed to laugh along? We get the joke, but he doesn’t? But if he thought like we do, it would be the end of his happy family and the beginning of divorce.
“Dad, I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus last night, while you were working late.”
“Wait a second, I really was working late. Who was playing Santa Claus last night?”
Tengu said:
Thanks. I googled it, but I didn’t study the links to make sure I was getting it right.
That’s why it’s so creepy, though, IMO. Because back then saying no might just be, “Oh, she’s putting up a fight for her reputation.” How do you ascertain the difference between doing it just to look like you’re protecting your reputation and saying no because you genuinely don’t want it? It seems like a symptom of a society with really sick sex/gender attitudes.
My (gay men’s) chorus has done *Santa Baby *a few times; we have even choreographed it. The audience has loved it each time.
No. The clue is that in most performances she is sitting right next to him, and she doesn’t get up to leave. She doesn’t even move over, away from him. It’s a cute song about mutual flirtation, nothing more.
And yes, we have done this song as well, with two guys. Would you consider that “creepy” too?
Am I missing something here? Because I always thought the gist of this song was that the kid’s dad is in a Santa outfit. Hence the mom kisses him under his beard. But it’s really his dad, only he doesn’t know it.
I find "Santa Baby creepy no matter who’s singing it. Bleeeeeeeeeeergh.
I was talking on the phone to my oldest daughter a couple of weeks ago, and she had just heard this song. She was going on about how wonderful she thought it was. I told her “You are dead to me now; I will return all your gifts and get a refund”. 
As for the song itself: :dubious::eek::smack:
He sees you when you’re sleeping, he knows when you’re awake… :eek:
At least Tom Waits never sang it.
Sweet dreams.
Now see that, is keeping the song right where it should be, a pretty young thing soliciting a sugar-daddy, and with choreography? Now that would be worth seeing. The creepy one is when I guy plays it straight, and just changes one line, “Think of the all the girlies that I didn’t kiss.” I’m all like – “Wha. Wha. Why would a straight guy, make a deal like that, with the real Santa, for, and why would Santa take it?” I think one of the guys who’ve covered it was David Lee Roth.