As the temperatures took a frightening plunge this week, many an impromptu performance of the holiday classic "Baby, It's Cold Outside" have been seen across campus. Given some of the lines in the song, which range from "your eyes are like starlight now" to "man, your lips are delicious," and responses that include "say, what's in this drink?" we're not surprised that the odd version comes out sounding more predatory than not. Here are our judgments of five of the better-known covers of the song.
Stewart and Parton perform the song as two older singers flirting and falling in love. In this version's slower tempo, Parton holds her own as a strong, independent woman. ADORABLE.
Martin's version features several young ladies singing the female lead in harmony, lending it a cutesy vibe—that is, until you realize that Martin is trying to get several of these young, innocent, and naive-sounding ladies to stay over. PREDATORY.
Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Jordan
The power of Fitzgerald's voice complements Jordan's well, avoiding the inequality of a dominant male lead that characterizes many other versions. The 1920's swing sound of the arrangement also brings this cover closer to the song's origins as a duet for a husband and wife to perform together at holiday parties. ADORABLE.
This is one of the more popular versions out there today, but we don't get the feeling that Jones really wants to stay over with Nelson. Nelson's voice seems harsh in contrast with the ethereal wistfulness of Jones', making this one feel a bit too Demi-Ashton for our tastes. PREDATORY.
The only version of this song recorded by two men, the "Glee" cover is a perennial favorite among fans of the show. Even though both characters play coy throughout the song, the fact that they are madly in love with each other comes through strongly. ADORABLE.