Baby It's Cold Outside
Ann-Margret & Al Hirt Lyrics


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I really can't stay (Baby, it's cold outside)
I've got to go ‘way (Baby, it's cold outside)
The evening has been (I've been hopin' that you'd drop in)
So very nice (I'll hold your hand, they're just like ice)

My mother will start to worry (Hey beautiful, what's your hurry)
And father will be pacing the floor (Listen to that fireplace roar)
So really, I'd better scurry (Beautiful, please don't hurry)
Well, maybe just a half a drink more (Put some music on while I pour)

The neighbors might think (Baby, it's bad out there)
Say, what's in this drink (No cabs to be had out there)
I wish I knew how (Your eyes are like starlight now)
To break this spell (I'll take your hat, your hair looks swell)

I oughtta 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

I simply must go (It's cold outside)
The answer is no (Baby, it's cold outside)
The welcome has been (So lucky that you dropped in)
So nice and warm (Look out the window at that storm)

My sister will be suspicious (Your lips look delicious)
My brother will be there at the door (I ain't worried about you brother)
My maiden aunt's mind is vicious (That ol' biddy, she ain't gonna bother me)
Well maybe just a cigarette more (You don't need no cigarette, it's smokin' plenty up in here)

I've got to get home (Baby, you'll freeze out there)
Say, lend me a comb (It's up to your knees out there)
You've really been grand (I thrill when you touch my hand)
Oh, but don't you see (How can you do this thing to me)

There's bound to be talk tomorrow (Well, think of my lifelong sorrow)
At least there will be plenty implied (If you caught pneumonia and died)




I really can't stay (Get over that hold out)
Oh, but baby it's cold outside

Overall Meaning

The song ‘Baby it's cold outside’ (1944) is a classic winter track with warm and flirty lyrics. The man (Al Hirt) is trying to persuade the woman he is with, (Ann-Margret) to stay longer at his house because it is so cold outside. In the beginning, the woman is hesitant to stay and mentions how cold it is outside, but the man continuously persuades her to stay, saying that he will keep her warm indoors. The woman also mentions how her parents will be worried if she doesn't go home, but the man brushes it off and offers her drinks instead. She continues to express her concern about what others will think or say, but the man dismisses it all and says they should be enjoying their time together.


The song's lyrics have been a subject of debate in recent times, with some people claiming that it promotes rape culture. However, others argue that this reading of the song is anachronistic, and the song should be viewed within the context of the time it was written, where women's sexual rights were different to some extent. Despite the debates, the song has remained a classic and a winter staple, with musicians frequently covering it every year.


Line by Line Meaning

I really can't stay (Baby, it's cold outside)
I want to stay, but it's cold outside and I have to leave


I've got to go ‘way (Baby, it's cold outside)
I want to leave, even though I'd like to stay


The evening has been (I've been hopin' that you'd drop in)
I'm glad you came over


So very nice (I'll hold your hand, they're just like ice)
Despite the cold, I enjoy spending time with you


My mother will start to worry (Hey beautiful, what's your hurry)
My mother will be concerned about me staying out too late


And father will be pacing the floor (Listen to that fireplace roar)
My father will be anxious about me being in the cold weather


So really, I'd better scurry (Beautiful, please don't hurry)
I should leave, but I hope you'll ask me to stay


Well, maybe just a half a drink more (Put some music on while I pour)
I'll stay a little longer and have another drink


The neighbors might think (Baby, it's bad out there)
People might think I shouldn't be out so late in the cold


Say, what's in this drink (No cabs to be had out there)
I'm asking what's in my drink, or what's making me feel funny


I wish I knew how (Your eyes are like starlight now)
I don't know how to resist you, you're so attractive


To break this spell (I'll take your hat, your hair looks swell)
I need to find a way to snap out of my temptation, but I'm still enjoying your company


I oughtta say no, no, no sir (You mind if I move in closer)
I know I should say no, but I'm attracted to you and am hoping to move closer


At least I'm gonna say that I tried (And what's the sense in hurting my pride)
I don't want to come across as rude, and I don't want to damage my self-respect


I really can't stay (Oh baby, don't hold out)
I still need to leave, even though I don't want to


I simply must go (It's cold outside)
I really have to leave


The answer is no (Baby, it's cold outside)
I can't stay, even though I want to


The welcome has been (So lucky that you dropped in)
I'm happy that you came over


So nice and warm (Look out the window at that storm)
We had a nice, warm time despite the storm outside


My sister will be suspicious (Your lips look delicious)
My sister might be suspicious, but I can't help being attracted to you


My brother will be there at the door (I ain't worried about you brother)
My brother might be there, but I don't care and I want to stay


My maiden aunt's mind is vicious (That ol' biddy, she ain't gonna bother me)
My aunt might be critical, but I won't let it get to me


Well maybe just a cigarette more (You don't need no cigarette, it's smokin' plenty up in here)
I'm trying to come up with a reason to stay, even though I don't need to


I've got to get home (Baby, you'll freeze out there)
I really need to leave, or I'll be stuck in the cold


Say, lend me a comb (It's up to your knees out there)
I need to tidy up before leaving, even though it's very snowy outside


You've really been grand (I thrill when you touch my hand)
I've enjoyed spending time with you and I'm attracted to you


Oh, but don't you see (How can you do this thing to me)
I'm trying to resist my attraction to you, because I know it's not the best idea


There's bound to be talk tomorrow (Well, think of my lifelong sorrow)
People will likely gossip about us, and it will cause me pain in the future


At least there will be plenty implied (If you caught pneumonia and died)
People might think the worst, or jump to conclusions


I really can't stay (Get over that hold out)
It's time for me to go, even if I don't want to


Oh, but baby it's cold outside
I'm still very aware of how cold it is outside




Lyrics © DistroKid, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Frank Loesser

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@laarbe

This is one of the best versions of this song. It sounds so innocent and sensual at the same time, like the song is supposed to be. Ann Margaret and Al Hirt voices blend together so wonderfully. Ann sounds so innocent and sensual while Al sounds like he knows what he is doing and trying his best to woo Ann to stay. This is so fantastic. Ann knows she wants to stay but she is supposed to be a good girl and knows she should not stay. Why what would people think? A time of yesterday's morals.

@briandesseaux9761

It's a shame that nearly all radio dj's haven't the sophistication to play this disc on their station.

@user-hy9ow5pe7e

何十年ぶりかで聴くこの曲、
いいよねぇ…心にしみます。

@free8704

This is my absolute favorite version of this song. Been searching for it FOREVER! So mellow and sexy.

@wtkwtf

This song NEVER gets old. It's seriously beautiful. ♥

@mkl62

A Christmas hit by one of the famous jazz artist and actresses of all time.

@vsjane

A Little Trip to Heaven...made even more pleasurable by this great duo.

@clivepearsall6616

This is, to me. the very best version of this, much recorded, song.

@rockoftherock1

the best  " Baby it's Cold Outside " duo

@AngelBDivine

This song was made to be sung by these two. This is my favorite cover.

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