Top 5 Creepy and/or Sexist Christmas Songs

[AliceMacification]

You haven't posted in a while, but I wanted to know if you have seen any of the videos made by TheAmazingAtheist. He seems to be a feminist hater, and I don't know if he's changed, (I've only seen a few of his videos, and I had to stop watching because I felt sick.) but people like him need to be addressed, and I think you have the intelligence and the presence of mind to do so without being name-specific.

Xx- AAA

[piecharthosen]

@AliceMacification as much as I hate TAA he would not be sways as he's more or less just a troll. If anything it would give him ammo. Best to just leave him alone and ignore

[raindrops283]

"Baby, it's cold outside" is incredibly creepy. I've seen a movie with a little girl singing it with her grandmother. That was a whole new level of creepiness. What irritates me about this song and what it conveys is that girls feel sex should be "rewarded" to men. Just a few days ago, I had to convince someone in her early 20's (so not an impressionable teen) that she didn't have to sleep with a guy if she didn't want to just because he flew a couple thousand miles to see her. I think it's sad.

[BobbieMcgee]

I WANT THAT SKYTHE

[oywidapoodles]

I heard Baby It's Cold Outside maybe 200 times at work over the holidays, and it made me more and more angry and grossed out each time. *shudder*

[jadonshailo]

I'm so glad I finally heard someone discuss this! I just heard this on a local station

[WalrusPlatypusRaisin]

The answer is no. The answer is NO. Ugh, how did I NEVER hear that line before? And how does NO ONE ELSE hear that line???

[soulfoodie1]

thanks for this- glad someone has called out these songs- particularly 'Baby its cold outside'

[MagikPantz]

Man, I never even realized half of these! I never listened to the lyrics, because I grew up with them. Thank you for shedding light on this, I wish I could vote up your videos so bad. C:

[AlexMustDie92]

I'm a man and I love your videos, keep up! you're awesome :P

[coolastetjejenistan]

I hadn't heard song no. 1, until I saw it on Glee and as the song went along I got more and more outraged and confused. I told my mum and it was like she had an epiphany. She'd never thought of the meaning of the lyrics, she'd always just thought of it as a cute song. It sucks that the song is portrayed like that, 'cause it contributes to why so many people still don't know what classifies as a rape. And no wonder really, when songs that glorifies rape is played and portryed as adorable...

[colossus999]

What's really important about this is that, as you say, if you live in the west you've heard these songs to the point where they're internalized and you find yourself singing along, all the while you've never consciously thought about the lyrics. It's really insidious, and it results in a lot of backlash from people when you point out it's problematic. They feel like you're attacking their precious holiday traditions.

[mrhoudis]

Hey, just discovered your videos and they're great! I love the tropes series, very very interesting. Have you done or thought about doing a video on internet sexism and misogyny? It's insanely prevalent, even in fairly liberal internet communities, and it'd be great to see a breakdown of it and/or possible solutions and tactics for calling people out online. Again, thanks for doing these, they're wonderful!

[kiddooo10]

santa baby has always creeped me out lol, it's so weird

[ChienneAndalou]

I saw mommy kissing Santa Claus is CREEPY. There's actually a spanish version that sounds more like non consensual sex than cheating.

[selphiexfairy]

yes please get me a sythe haha(:

Once I was old enough to get what "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" was about, I always thought it was gross rather than cute, lol.

[wrichik]

Song 1 is full on pervy. It's possible that people think the girl is playing 'hard-to-get', but regardless ... this view of "no matter what she says, she actually wants it" needs to go. I am surprised people still play that song !

[cindyl]

Ugh that "Baby It's Cold Outside" creeps me out so much. I can never listen to it once without cringing. When it was aired in Glee I was so disappointed. Well nowadays Glee is extremely problematic but the song aired a year ago in its 2nd season when it was still rather good.

[fanime1]

I only realized this year the lyrics for "It's Cold Outside." Now whenever I hear it, I get so creeped out that it's popular. Also, I never heard of Santa Baby until high school, and I didn't like it for its message. But someone told me a more positive view of it, which is that it is actually meant to be a satire, so I'm confused about that one. I love your explanation of "All I Want for Xmas." As much as I love that song, I do agree with what you said.

[eggyolksam]

i always hated "santa baby", even when i was little i could tell it was the gold-digger nature.

[KurenaiTenka]

Hoorah, Christmas Feminist Frequency. :)

The first 4 weren't as bad as I was expecting, but the last was creepy enough for all of them.

[acf870]

I AGREE.

[nerdieone1]

I agree 100% on number 1. *shudders* -_-

[LucreNoin]

The first song is the only one I know °_° I guess these songs are famous only in the USA? I don't know, I've never heard of them (or listened at them in shops or tv) here in Italy. A part from this: wonderful video <3

[cmpwbl]

It's funny. I literally never heard of "Baby, It's Cold Outside" until I saw this video. Now I'm hearing it everywhere. The mall, tv, the movie theater. I don't understand how a song with such obvious date rape lyrics could be so ubiquitous. Although, when I saw it on TV it was being sung by two gay men. So... progress?

[feministfrequency]

@cmpwbl Glee did a cover of it with Kurt and Blaine, and it was really sweet (since they are so adorable) but even if a queer couple sings it, I don't think it actually subverts the song because, it doesn't change the date rape-y lyrics.

[ShalomDove]

@feministfrequency I agree. This song is legitimately disturbing. Somehow I can't help loving the "Glee" cover, though. It somehow seems less threatening comming from those characters, possibily because the context of its appearance is a rehersal rather than Blaine literally trying to pressure Kurt to stay with him. Without that "in-show" context, though, there would be no difference: just because they are both male doesn't mean that one cannot sexually manipulate (or even assault) the other.

[kingx101]

@feministfrequency The band She and Him did a gender swapped cover of "Baby It's Cold Outside" on their recent album. I had never heard the song before but immediately noticed the lyrics. By swapping the male and female parts, I don't know if they "subverted" the song, but they certainly drew my attention to the questionable lyrics. Also, thanks for the vids :)

[GoingRampant]

@feministfrequency The lyrics are still a problem, but I think Glee does put it in a different, more progressive context by having it be two guys--on the same level gender-wise--both totally flirting. I do hate the song with a fiery passion, though.

[EmbraceWithin]

baby, it's cold outside has horrible lyrics, yet still nice  innocent melody, which makes it even creapier.... never realized that before

[Zoonerd100]

"as seen on the Spearhead"

That's not a good sign. That site is a vile misogynistic den of stupid and frankly I'm more than a little concerned you may be getting hate mail for this video.

[ethylenoxid]

woah, never heard "Baby it's cold outside" before, but this song creeps the hell out of me...

[Nessanator4]

Santa baby also creeps me out because of the cutesy voice the singer uses, it's like she's trying to infantilize herself to seduce Santa into giving her what she wants.

[giivo1]

Wow, that baby it's cold outside-lyrics are really horrible. I've never really thought about it :/ just euw

[TheCroco99]

I really agree with you on Santa Baby and Baby, it's Cold Outside. IRL I seem to be the only one annoyed by the Santa Baby song. It's basically about the singer prostituting herself to old ugly Santa so she can have expensive gifts. Not a good message!

[alaskafido]

I love your analysis...more please!!

[b0ttlesUp]

Another great video. I'm a male and a proud feminist.

[faian000re]

I love this video

[AverynNorth]

I showed this video to my little brother and his first guess was All I Want For Christmas Is You. I'm so proud of him, lil feminist.

[AverynNorth]

As soon as I saw that title I thought, Baby It's Cold Outside. That song is SO wrong on so many levels

[randompeople14]

baby its cold outside is creepy....

[0Angel0A]

Huge agreement with "Baby It's Cold Outside." I've always found it unnerving and creepy...

[ItsTheNewBoyz]

5. "Baby, it's Cold Outside"

I got nothing. This song is quite rape-y.

[jacobvardy]

'Santa Bring My Baby Back to Me' (Claude Demetrius / Aaron Schroeder 1957)

is another rape carol. In it Elvis petitions Santa to go kidnap his ex, and bring her back.

[oniontearz]

I love all your videos and I think you were on the mark with this one! Especially the "hey, what's in this drink?" line. . .good Lord. Also, hell yes to the buffy scythe!

[sarahjanehj]

"All I Want for Christmas is You" wasn't simply produced for Mariah Carey... she wrote it. That said, you could probably do a whole series of videos about her troubled life with Tommy Mottola and the way it inspired the content of most of her songs... but as the artist who has written some of the most successful love songs in the last two decades, she could probably be forgiven for this simple holiday trifle, especially since you decry the song "Santa Baby" for painting women as materialistic.

[thegreayone]

Baby It's Cold Outside really does have some of the worst lyrics, but it's so darn catchier and it's one of the few Christmas songs I've actually enjoyed. Too bad it is entirely about date rape.

[CrazedPeeling]

Oh thank you thank you for talking about 'Baby It's Cold Outside' !!!- I find it very disturbing that I only realized how awful it was .. last year! (when I was 21). That song is terrible, I don't get why it's a classic.

[xwhataboutnowx]

Thank you for this video!

[NubianTribesman]

as usual this is a brilliant video.

I could think of a few more songs that could be added to the list, but either way that last one is one of the all time creepiest songs ever.

the day after X-mass is the real holiday, that's when you get the best sales.

Have a happy new year.

[steampunkerella]

Nobody believes me when I tell people about how horrific "Baby, It's Cold Outside" is because nobody has ever listened to a word in that song. It's nice to hear someone agree with me for once. Also: love the earrings

[auralglory]

thank you for this! i always thought "baby, its cold outside" was super creepy and made me uncomfortable.

[Otokogoroshi]

I always found 'Baby Its Cold Outside' to be very creepy ><

[ap0ph3nia]

'Baby It's Cold Outside' is revolting -- 'say, what's in this drink?' -- UGH rape much?

[TheMinuteVlog]

I was about to be upset if you didn't choose that for number one. Such a creepy song.

[PercivalHoward]

Excellent as usual.  Thank-you.

[xxxBakeneckoxxx]

I always thought the songs "I saw mommy kissing Santa" and "Santa baby" were creepy and stupid. "Baby it's cold outside" is just plain creepy....

[leavingnormal88]

Another great vid! I finally got around to watching some of those old x-mas "classics" on TV, and was pretty stunned from what I saw. For example, that stop motion animated "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" was on a few nights ago and contained some incredibly sexist dialogue between the parents, reinforcing old gender roles. Sure many of these specials were made decades ago, but the fact that we're still celebrating them yearly without even discussing context is a bit problematic. Thanks!

[Viva711711]

Great video. Thank you.

[minkydoopoo]

I don't think I've ever heard the Mummy kissing santa song. Maybe it wasn't as big in the UK? So creepy.

[PineMythros]

Great video - now I have a valid reason to complain (or at least discuss) when these songs are replayed for the millionth time at work!

[failuretopants]

I had never listened to all of "baby It's cold outside". That's actually really frightening.

[FireAndPoetry]

LOL. love it. baby it's cold outside a.k.a the holiday date rape song.

[MoonGalleon22]

The only cover of "Baby it's cold outside" that HASN'T creeped me out was the Glee version, and that's purely because, in the episode, they're both singing it as practice for a Christmas concert and they make it sound REALLY flirty and non-threatening - as if the "girl" part is perfectly willing, but wants to tease him for a bit. Every single other version creeps the hell out of me, because it doesn't have this non-rapey context.

[Kaldary]

Baby it's cold outside is one of the creepiest songs ever written. It saddens me to see how many girls think it's a cute and sexy romantic song. I've tried to point out the lyrics to many girls but they sit and say that I'm just overanalyzing it. It makes me so mad!

[Rosieuchiha]

thankyou

[eearthemayge29]

Is it really Barney and Ben!!??

I always thought he said Bonnie and Ben wanted a pistol that shoots...haha...woops....I've been singing those lyrics for as long as I can remember. Guess my ears aren't as good as I think they are...

[3ssay]

Obviously, it's his dad. That's the joke. The kid thinks his mom is kissing kissing santa, but it's his dad. The kid isn't traumatized or anything, he just thinks his mom is doing something 'dirty tee hee hee'. Even if it was a story about a kid seeing his mother cheating with another man, or being traumatized by the thought, it wouldn't be sexist because it implies nothing about women in general.

[feministfrequency]

@3ssay That song falls into the creepy category, and yes, Santa is the Dad but the kid still thinks his mom is getting busy with another man.

[beansidhebaby]

Baby It's Cold Outside creeps me out so badly. "I outta say no, no, no, sir/At least that I can say that I tried" ? Ew.

[mysteriousladyinred]

Great vid as always...but I still think that 'Mistletoe' by Justin Beiber should be on this list but tied to "All I want for Christmas is you" because it does pose the same problems you mentioned except gender inverted. If you haven't heard the song, then...don't. I didn't either. The reason I know that is because I saw a Todd in the Shadows review and from what little I heard of Beiber...I just don't like the way his voice sounds.

[authoress1]

I suggest that a woman record an answer song called "Baby I know martial arts and I'm in possession of mace." I'd do it but I can't sing worth a darn.

[feministfrequency]

@authoress1 I would definitely listen to that version!

[flashfox466]

I'm amazed the song "Please, Daddy Don't Get Drunk on Christmas" wasn't on the list. It's literally a song about a man who gets drunk and abuses his wife in front of his son on Christmas. Like many on your list, it's been adapted by many country singers over the years and it's very familiar in the southern states. It's also sung quite cheerfully.

[xXBarbeloXx]

i was dragged to a live rendition of Miracle on 34th st. i'd never seen it before but i walked out completely insulted. i told my boyfriend that it was a misogynistic piece of crap and he tried to say it was a classic. my response: that's like saying we should accept Birth of a Nation as a classic and not an embarrassing piece of racist propaganda.

[MirandaZ2000]

Wow, I never thought about "Baby It's Cold Outside" like that. It is a good reminder of how far we have come in the last 50 years. I can't imagine what I would do if I were a woman in the 50s. Probably take a lot of valium for my "nerves" and develop a drinking problem... as many did.

It's funny how women were viewed as so fragile and emotional, and no one ever stopped to think that it was society doing that to them. We faint when we have to wear corsets, we cry when we are powerless, etc.

[KingMickD]

I never realized how creepy the baby its cold outside song is like wow. Thats some serious date rape :( its a shame that song is such a classic song too.

[Vaajraath]

Another awesome video as usual. :) Just out of curiosity, though, do you have a top 5 (or more) favorite Christmas songs list you would personally reccomend?

[dontfeedthebookworm]

I'll never see Christmas songs the same way again...

[Ruach]

I find it interesting that your interpretation of "All I Want for Christmas is You" changes depending upon the gender of who is singing it. I mean, I love the Mʔ too but I'd rather spend Christmas with my significant other. That's always how interpreted the song. I've never heard "Baby it's Cold Outside", but now that I do it is creeeeeeeeepy.

[FantasmaLuna]

I've never liked Santa Baby and Baby It's Cold Outside has ALWAYS creeped me.

Whatever happened to the more magical Christmas songs that really illustrated what Christmas was all about? A time of light, love and spending time with the family?

[chetzalicious]

"I saw mommy kissing santa clause"-- i actually thought it was because, dads typically dress up as santa to trick their kids, so the mom was actually kissing the dad.. oops

[RobinClaassen]

While I generally agree with your criticisms of your other four picks, it seems clear that the intent of the songwriters of "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" was to imply that the Santa Claus is the boy's/girl's father (or at least the husband of his/her mother), and that’s how audiences generally interpreted the song. I agree that there would be something creepy about a child using a sweet melody to describe a parent’s act of cheating, but either way, I don’t see anything sexist about the song.

[PompamooseMagique]

I always assumed the mother in "I saw mommy kissing santa claus" was a single mother, but that doesn't make the song any less weird. I mean... why is that kid watching?! *paging Doctor Freud* and yes, Baby, It's Cold Outside is possibly the creepiest song ever. Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays!

[lcrippin]

Great video. As always, eye opening. I'm sending along a holiday present to help keep Feminist Frequency on the air, and I encourage everyone else to do the same. Love your work, keep at it.

[kiplinggorilla]

omg My friends and I were talking exactly about this when we were preparing for winter concert lol

[krodsmash]

Oh holy shit, I clicked on this thinking it was OMGFacts. I'm tired. Nice to see a new post from you.

[GiantKukri]

that last one was fucked up :/

[nosleepinheaven]

Holy crap. I never noticed how creepy Baby It's Cold Outside was. HOW? I DON'T KNOW.

[lovelyfairy27]

Wow, I honestly never realized just how creepy that last song is. I've never been a fan of Christmas music, but now I have a real reason to dislike it. Yeesh!

[ral1334]

I don't think a song called "All I Want For Christmas Is an 11'' Cast Zinc Life-Sized Replica of Buffy's Slayer Scythe Complete With Authentic Ostrich Skin Wrapped Handcrafted Wooden Handle" would get much airplay.

[LowBudgetLurker]

Some of these are reaching a bit, but #1 is always creepy. Also, I think Christmas Wrapping by The Waitresses is one. The protagonist really doesn't care for Christmas at all, in fact, she's had an awful year. Why? Because the guy she's "chasing" apparently isn't interested. Not until they get together over a mutual forgetfulness of cranberries does she get in the spirit. Hear that girls? No point in celebrating holidays without a boyfriend!

[Zoonerd100]

Hmm, my preferred version of 'All I want for christmas' was always the My Chemical Romance cover which actually fit the deranged stalkerish feel of the song to be honest.

I knew straight away 'Baby it's cold outside' would be number 1. It's just...wrong on every level.

[dorkabrain]

I'm so glad you made Baby It's Cold Outside. I was thinking pretty much everything you said about it when I heard the She & Him version the other day. Especially the "what's in this drink?" line. 

[hesteaeble]

haha great :)

[MtnCurProductions]

Every time I hear one of those stupid Christmas songs I want to go punch cute woodland animals.

[bmh4d0k3n]

There have been a few interesting variations on #1: First, when Zooey Deschanel sings part of it with Will Ferrell in Elf, it's the sweetest thing ever -- probably because he doesn't sound like he's pressuring her for sex. Second, when Blaine and Kurt sang it on Glee, it was between two guys, which sounded less predatory. Third, Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward actually reverse roles, and it's significantly less creepy. It's still kind of disturbing the song was written in the first place, though.

[OrangeQuark]

I actually considered 'I Saw Mummy Kissing Santa Claus' as quite progressive, considering the child seems to have no problem with the idea of his mother being polyamorous. I absolutely agree with every thing you said about 'Baby, It's Cold Outside', though. Great video.

[puklop]

Great video agian... Thanks for bringing up The Slayers Scythe from buffy, Now every gift is going to seem crap compared to it this year :(.

[MrImwatchingyouuu]

I have wished for that scythe for years now.

[feministfrequency]

@MrImwatchingyouuu Haven't we all! hahaha...

[MireilleeL]

I appreciate that you gave a mild historical background for each tune as well as analytically dive into their hidden meanings. Thanks to your well organized and balanced videos I'm becoming more of a feminist every day. So thank you and Happy Holidays. :)

[XxToxicDesiresxX]

Love your videos! That "it's cold outside" song always made me feel awkward any time I would hear it on the radio or in stores. I wish they would either get new songs, change the lyrics to something more acceptable or stop playing it altogether. I think any young women that hear those songs (especially the "santa baby" song), will get the wrong idea and think its good to act like a gold digger or what have you. Keep up with these videos!

[mrknknk11]

In my country Xmas songs are all catholic songs. They're about Jesus, sheepherders, Mary, the three wise men... and so xD

[WalrusGrdn]

Yes, I will take the Buffy scythe.

[ellieg609]

"All I Want For Christmas is You" coming from a woman is still kind of creepy and stalkerish. It makes me think of Fatal Attraction or Poison Ivy.

I recently heard "Santa Baby" in a grocery store and I realized how much this song really bothers me- especially when it's a woman using sexuality to achieve her ends.

My real issue with these songs is how Christmas is pushed relentlessly on the American public when we live in a country that is supposed to have freedom of religion.

[ElectricMayhem87]

@ellieg609 Tell me about it. Some radio stations (like the soft rock station that's my mom's favorite) even play Christmas music from mid-November until December 26! I don't mind Christmas songs without sexist messages (like the religious ones, "Deck the Halls," and "Merry Christmas (War is Over)," to name a few), but I wish they'd at least play other stuff as well.

[LizardGiant]

I was fairly sure "Santa, Baby" would be number one. Oh.

[SomethingNothingSea]

1. "All I Want..."

Oh. I thought it was about a guy wanting a girl. I guess I hadn't thought about it enough. I had recently been listening to it, too, thinking, "all you want for Christmas is person X? ... Do you love person x? What's going on here?"

"I Saw Mommy..."

I apparently heard the dirty version of this song first. I thought it was the XXX side of Christmas. I was wrong? ... and I just heard what the plot is. That sucks.

[Benwoodruff]

Great video. Thanks for posting.

[xoxhiddenleafsxox]

Wow, i didn't even notice all of this...*eye opener* O_O

[ateap0tist]

you're cool! I very much appreciate your channel!