Case in point: Santa Baby. Can someone please explain why this is a beloved holiday classic? It's an admittedly catchy tune, but with a wildly inappropriate undercurrent. It's nothing more than a song about a shallow gold-digger asking Santa for an appalling array of big ticket items, which she expects to receive because she's been "good." And of course, "good" in this context means, "managed to keep this year's number of sexual partners in the single digits."
Let's examine the lyrics, shall we?
Santa baby, just slip a Sable under the tree for me;
Been an awful good girl, Santa baby,
So hurry down the chimney tonightSanta baby, a '54 convertible too, light blue;
I'll wait up for you, dear; Santa baby,
So hurry down the chimney tonightThink of all the fun I've missed;
Think of all the fellas that I haven't kissed;
Next year I could be just as good...
Next year I could be just as good...
if you check off my Christmas list
Boo doo bee doo
Santa baby, I want a yacht and really that's not a lot;
Santa baby, I want a yacht and really that's not a lot;
Been an angel all year; Santa baby,
So hurry down the chimney tonight
Santa honey, one little thing that I really do need...
So hurry down the chimney tonight
Santa honey, one little thing that I really do need...
The deed... to a platinum mine, Santa baby,
So hurry down the chimney tonightSanta cutie, and fill my stocking with the duplex and checks;
Sign your 'X' on the line, Santa cutie,
and hurry down the chimney tonight
Come and trim my Christmas tree
and hurry down the chimney tonight
Come and trim my Christmas tree
with some decorations bought at Tiffany's;
I really do believe in you;
Let's see if you believe in me
Santa baby, forgot to mention one little thing... A ring...
I really do believe in you;
Let's see if you believe in me
Santa baby, forgot to mention one little thing... A ring...
I don't mean on the phone; Santa baby,
So hurry down the chimney tonightHurry down the chimney tonight
Hurry, tonight!
What a horrible song for the holidays. It would be bad enough if the avaricious broad in the song asked Santa for jewelry and furs, but she goes way off the deep end and asks for cars, yachts and even real estate.
If that wasn't enough, Santa Baby is always sung in a "cutesy" Betty Boop type of voice (there's even a "boo doo bee doo" line!), which registers pretty high on the Creep-O-Meter. It's also sometimes sung in a sultry, breathy Marilyn Monroe tone. A Christmas carol sung by a pouty woman-child or a voluptuous sexpot just seems wrong.
Oh, but we're not done! Our high-maintenance heroine doesn't just recite her shallow list of high-priced gifts to Santa. The whole song heavily implies that she'll be waiting for Santa in her boudoir, ready to offer him a fleshy reward if he comes through with the loot. What a lovely message for the holidays.
The song was originally record by Eartha Kitt in 1953, and was a huge hit for her. Other singers who've covered the tune: Madonna, RuPaul (!), Everclear (!!) and Mae West. Yes, when Madonna and RuPaul want to record your song, how can it be anything but an appropriate Christmas carol?
What a horrible song for the holidays. It would be bad enough if the avaricious broad in the song asked Santa for jewelry and furs, but she goes way off the deep end and asks for cars, yachts and even real estate.
If that wasn't enough, Santa Baby is always sung in a "cutesy" Betty Boop type of voice (there's even a "boo doo bee doo" line!), which registers pretty high on the Creep-O-Meter. It's also sometimes sung in a sultry, breathy Marilyn Monroe tone. A Christmas carol sung by a pouty woman-child or a voluptuous sexpot just seems wrong.
Oh, but we're not done! Our high-maintenance heroine doesn't just recite her shallow list of high-priced gifts to Santa. The whole song heavily implies that she'll be waiting for Santa in her boudoir, ready to offer him a fleshy reward if he comes through with the loot. What a lovely message for the holidays.
The song was originally record by Eartha Kitt in 1953, and was a huge hit for her. Other singers who've covered the tune: Madonna, RuPaul (!), Everclear (!!) and Mae West. Yes, when Madonna and RuPaul want to record your song, how can it be anything but an appropriate Christmas carol?
LOL, I will stick to Jingle Bells and Rudolph, they are straight forward and don't have any hidden undertones. Great addition to the blog these Christmas music posts!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dawn! I'm partial to "Silver Bells" & "The Christmas Song" myself. Rudolph not so much--the whole song's about the other reindeer discriminating and persecuting Rudolph until they need him, then suddenly he's their best pal!
ReplyDeletehahahhaha! You are so right.
ReplyDeleteOh, how I detest hearing this song.
ReplyDeleteI know, right? How did it ever become a beloved holiday classic?
ReplyDeleteAMEN, I hate this song for all the reasons stated!
ReplyDeletethe Santa Claus in this song is the gold digger’s Sugar Daddy.. Who else could afford to buy all of those expensive ,big ticket items ?
ReplyDelete