Baby, It's Cold Outside

It's been fascinating to watch the rise and fall and perhaps rise again of this sorta kinda holiday standard. I don't think I'd ever even heard it until well into this century, nearly this decade. And since I think the first version I ever heard was the version J.D. and Turk from Scrubs put out, the impact was a bit different than it was for many. It was only later that I heard a more traditional version and realized how crazy creepy the song is.

Or is it? I've read several pieces arguing that, taking the era in which it was composed into account, it's actually just the opposite: a female somewhat flaunting conventions in a maybe kinda sorta subtle yet definite way.

There's definitely something to the case. And yet it's hard to shake the (nearly) original predatory feel I had (nearly) originally. Rapey? Transgressive? I haven't decided yet.

But what I have decided is that listening to two of the main voices from Schoolhouse Rock covering the song is incredibly wonderful, as despite her toydoll-like vocal stylings, I can't help but feel that Blossom Dearie did whatever she wanted whenever she wanted.

Fly Me to the Moon

Blossom Dearie is something of an acquired taste, although it may be easier for those of us who grew up on Schoolhouse Rock to acquire said taste, given that she was the voice behind the much beloved "Figure Eight" and "Unpack Your Adjectives."

I don't care much for jazz vocals, alas, as a general rule. But this is one of my favorite songs and oh my goodness does this go right to the heart like an arrow to the knee. So tender, so sweet, so direct.