This Couple's Remake of "Baby, It's Cold Outside" Teaches an Important Lesson About Consent

By Terry Carter
Brooke Cagle
Brooke Cagle

Singer-songwriters Lydia Liza and Josiah Lemanski have released an updated version of the 1944 classic Christmas song "Baby, It's Cold Outside" to emphasize the importance of sexual consent. The couple told CNN they always felt the lyrics from the original song were "aggressive" and "troubling," especially since they portray a woman repeatedly telling a guy she doesn't want to stay at a party with him while he relentlessly insists they stay.

Lyrics from the original "Baby, It's Cold Outside"

I ought to say no, no, no sir / (You mind if I move in closer?) At least I'm gonna say that I tried / (And what's the sense in hurting my pride?) I really can't stay / (Oh baby, don't hold out) / Oh, but it's cold outside

"We started thinking of the open-ended questions that song has," Lydia told the news site. "You never figure out if she gets to go home. You never figure out if there was something in her drink. It just leaves you with a bad taste in your mouth."

Lydia says addressing the dangers of misunderstanding sexual consent is important because "it's not just a rare thing — it happens all the time, everywhere. Every day." She admits she didn't intend for the song to go viral. "I thought we were just doing like a really good, cool, funny thing." But Lydia told CNN that she does hope the song will open up more discussion on the touchy subject.

"I hope it will be on people's minds and that people will donate to charity or do some volunteer work at shelters or sexual assault centers. Like, if you think about this and you think it's a problem, definitely step out of your comfort zone and do something and help someone," she said.

Listen to the couple's updated rendition ahead.