Emma Mae Jacob & Jeremy McComb – “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”

Songwriter: Frank Loesser.

There is no better semi-scandalous, stay-with-me Christmas song than “Baby It’s Cold Outside,” with its cat-and-mouse lyrics that paint a perfect picture of an eager young man trying to convince his lady friend to stay the night (so she doesn’t have to brave a wintry storm, of course).

To pull off a great version of this song, the two singers must have great chemistry and take a show tune-like approach to their delivery. Unfortunately, that’s what country newcomers Emma Mae Jacob and Jeremy McComb lack on their version of this modern Christmas standard. Or maybe it’s just McComb.

Jacob holds up her end of the deal by putting just the right touch of sweetness in her voice; she exudes a naive, innocent vibe that well suits the lyric. It’s easy to picture her staring out into a snowy haze, scarf in hand, contemplating whether to stay or go. Her voice brings us right into the scene.

McComb is nowhere near as convincing. Rather than conjuring up images of him grabbing Jacob’s arm, telling her to stay within his warm confines, it seems like McComb is probably sitting on the couch, with a beer, watching a ball game. Unlike Jacob, his vocal is uninterested and unconvincing. Instead of being commanding and persuasive, he is lackluster and restrained.

But maybe McComb can’t make us believe the story because he can’t believe it himself. Singing a slightly suggestive song with a 17-year-old girl is enough to make most 27-year-old men a little hesitant, and perhaps that’s where the chemistry fails.

The production here is mostly jazz-infused pop with a little hint of fiddle sweeping throughout, and this forgettable version of the song ranks just above Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey’s version (and just below Will Ferrell and Zooey Deschanel’s version from Elf).

Listen: Emma Mae Jacob & Jeremy McComb – “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”