The Paris, IL, native was visiting Nashville for the first time early in his sophomore year at Chicago's Elmhurst College. He was at the Station Inn, an historic bluegrass/country venue where many of the greats of both worlds have played. His cousin Terry, a veteran of Dolly Parton's band and now a member of the Grascals, was playing with a band called the Sidemen, and a mesmerized Brett was in the crowd.
"There was something so real and truthful about the songs they were playing," he says. “What happened next came as a shock.”
"He asked me to come up on stage and told me to pick a song to play with the band," says Brett. I said, 'Amarillo By Morning,' and when I heard that fiddle intro, chills shot up my spine. I sang it for the crowd there and it was a magical experience. That was the point where I thought, 'This is it. This is something I've got to do.'"
By the start of the next school year, he had transferred to Middle Tennessee State University and begun the round of writers' nights and writing appointments that led him eventually to a record deal.
The talent that let him turn that dream into reality—the depth of his writing and the sheer power of his smoky and expressive baritone—are both apparent in his first single. "Raymond" is the poignant tale of a nursing home employee mistaken by a patient with Alzheimer's for her deceased son, who was killed at war. It is a song whose inspiring reaffirmation of their mutual humanity is affecting listeners deeply. The single rings true for Eldredge as his Grandmother currently struggles through the disease.
"There are a lot of things I'll play live where people will say, 'I like that,' or 'That's a really cool song,'" Brett says, "but when I do this one, I get the chance to tell people how special a thing it's been in my life, and it always touches someone. A lot of people know someone with Alzheimer's and people react in a really emotional way to it."
Brett has earned a reputation as much for the strength of his writing as for his world-class voice. He and co-writer Pat McLaughlin landed a song called "I Think I've Had Enough" on Gary Allan's latest album, Get Off On The Pain, and one of his frequent collaborators is Country Music Hall of Famer and Grand Ole Opry stalwart Bill Anderson.
"He's one of my favorite people to write with," says Brett. "I love the fact that he believes in country music so much, because it's something I really believe in. My dream, as I find my place in country music, is one day to be an Opry member."
Brett heard all kinds of music growing up, and became a particular fan of the classic pop singers he heard in his grandfather's car.
"I heard a lot of Frank Sinatra, who is still a favorite of mine, and Ray Charles and Bobby Darin," he says. "When my mother convinced me to sing 'Mack The Knife' at a talent show, I got hooked on singing in public."
That was in Paris, a town of 9,000 with "cornfields and factories and lake right in the middle." Brett, his older brother and his parents—a traveling grain salesman and a nurse—lived on the lake and, says Brett, "We were on the water every day, from the time I was so little they could pull me on water skis in a paddle boat until I left for college at 18." Sports were a big part of his life, and he played basketball, baseball and football in high school.
He also sang everywhere he could, often the Big Band music of Sinatra, earning spending money and learning to work a stage. His appreciation for country music became a passion when he turned 16 and he and a friend rode around listening to a Brooks & Dunn greatest hits album.
"There was something about it that just struck me," he says. "I couldn't get enough of it. Ronnie Dunn is one of my favorite singers of all time—I love the soul in his voice—and one of the main reasons I got into this in the first place."
Brett spent two years in Chicago, where his older brother lived, performing with a school jazz band and with a Big Band around the region.
"One of the coolest gigs," he says, "was at the Field Museum, I was singing in front of a 12-piece band under this huge Tyrannosaurus Rex statue near some mammoths. It was quite the experience."
Then came that fateful visit to Nashville and his transfer to MTSU. He studied classic country stylists like Ray Price and George Jones, and later Vince Gill, absorbing everything he could.
"I was driving back and forth Nashville every day from Murfreesboro, which is thirty miles away," he says. "I had a guitar Terry had given me, which was originally a gift from Dolly, and I'd pretty much lock myself in my room and make myself learn songs. I would play writers' nights all around Nashville. There might be two people, there might be 40 or 50. I'd go play my songs and see what people liked and what they didn't. I'd screw up royally in front of them, but I learned."
He earned a degree, which, he says, "made Mom and Dad happy, and then I moved on to what I really wanted to do.
A staff writer for hit producer/publisher Byron Gallimore heard him at a writers' night and introduced him to Byron, who signed him.
"I wrote for about two years, developing my craft and writing with everyone I could. In the beginning, Byron just let me kind of find myself, because that takes a while. As you write more you starting homing in on what you sound good on. Eventually, Byron said, 'You've got something here' and we went in and started cutting songs. We did a showcase, and Carole Ann Mobley from Warner Music Nashville said, 'We've gotta sign this kid'. Mobley and Craig Kallman then signed Brett to Atlantic Records, making him the first official signing for the new imprint.
As he worked with his band tightening his show, he was offered a particularly gratifying gig.
"I opened for Blake Shelton at The Ryman and it was the coolest experience. I flew back from this house gig and all of a sudden I'm thrown into playing the Mother Church of Country Music, something I always dreamed of doing. I was operating on almost no sleep, but stepping out on that stage where everybody who's anybody in country music has been meant the world to me."
He remains active in sports, playing basketball and volleyball and playing on an intramural softball team in Nashville, and rooting for the Cubs and Bears. Meanwhile, he is dedicated to improving his craft.
"As a songwriter," he says, "my aim is to portray a little bit of me and my life along with the stories of other people and turn them into something that can really touch somebody's heart and soul. We sit down on Music Row every day and write songs and every once in a while a song like ‘Raymond’ comes from such a real place. I hope it's that real to other people and that I can make them feel the way I felt when I wrote it and when I sing it."
Judging from audience reaction, that’s exactly what he’s doing.
Baby It's Cold Outside
Brett Eldredge Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Baby, it's cold outside
I got to go away
But baby, it's cold outside
This evening has been
Been hoping that you'd drop in
So very nice
I'll hold your hands, they're just like ice
Beautiful, what's your hurry?
My father will be pacing the floor
Listen to the fireplace roar
So really, I'd better scurry
Beautiful, please don't hurry
But maybe just a half a drink more
I'll put some records 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 tonight
To break this spell
I'll take your hat, your hair looks swell
I ought to say, no, no, no sir
Oh, mind if I move in closer?
At least I'm gonna say that I tried
What's the sense in hurtin' my pride?
I really can't stay
Baby, don't hold out
'Cause baby it's cold outside
I simply must go
But baby, it's cold outside
The answer is no, no, no
Aw baby, it's cold outside
Your welcome has been
How lucky that you dropped in
So nice and warm
Look out the window at that storm
My sister will be suspicious
Oh gosh, your lips are delicious
And my brother will be there at the door
Waves on a tropical shore
My maiden aunt's mind is vicious
Oh gosh, your lips are so delicious
But maybe just a cigarette more
Oh never such a blizzard before
I've got to get home
But baby, you'll freeze out there
Say lend me your coat
Oh, up to your knees out there
You've really been grand
I thrill when you touch my hand
But you don't see, no, no
How can you do this thing to me?
There's bound to be talk tomorrow
Think of my lifelong sorrow
At least there will be plenty implied
If you caught pneumonia and died
But I really can't stay
Get over that whole doubt
Oh, 'cause baby it's cold, cold outside
The song "Baby It's Cold Outside" is a duet that tells the story of a man and a woman who are spending time together on a cold winter night. The woman expresses her desire to leave, but the man tries to convince her to stay. He offers her a drink, plays music, and flatters her. The woman starts to feel uneasy and questions what is in her drink. She eventually gives in to the man's persuasion and stays for a while longer. The song has been interpreted as a playful flirtation and a coercive dialogue.
The lyrics of the song have been debated in recent times over the implied meaning of the song. Some people think that the song promotes date rape culture, while others believe that it's just a light-hearted flirtation. The line "What's in this drink?" has been pointed out as alarming as it could be interpreted as a reference to spiking a drink. Others argue that this line was a common phrase used in Hollywood musicals to show a character's faux shock at their own behavior while blaming the "drink" for their actions. Some contemporary versions update the lyrics to be less controversial.
Line by Line Meaning
I really can't stay
I want to continue spending time with you
Baby it's cold outside
It's very cold outside, so it's better to stay indoors
I got to go away
I need to leave now
But baby it's cold outside
But it's too cold outside to leave now
This evening has been
I've enjoyed spending time with you so far
Been hoping that you'd drop in
I was hoping you would come visit me tonight
So very nice
It's been wonderful spending time with you
I'll hold your hands, they're just like ice
Your hands are very cold to the touch
My mother will start to worry
My mother will be concerned about me staying out so late
Beautiful, what's your hurry?
Why are you in such a rush to leave?
My father will be pacing the floor
My father will be anxious about me being out so late
Listen to the fireplace roar
Hear the comforting sound of the fireplace
So really, I'd better scurry
I should probably start getting ready to leave
Beautiful, please don't hurry
Please take your time leaving
But maybe just a half a drink more
Stay a little longer and have another drink
I'll put some records on while I pour
I'll set the music playing while I pour us some more drinks
The neighbors might think
Others might have concerns about us being alone in this weather
Baby, it's bad out there
It's not safe to be outside in this weather
Say, what's in this drink?
I'm curious about the contents of my drink
No cabs to be had out there
There are no taxis available in this weather
I wish I knew how
I want to know how to stay here longer without worrying
Your eyes are like starlight tonight
Your eyes are shining bright like the stars
To break this spell
To end the magical moment we're having
I'll take your hat, your hair looks swell
I'll help you take off your hat and admire how good you look
I ought to say, no, no, no sir
I should be leaving soon
Oh, mind if I move in closer?
Is it okay if I get a little closer to you?
At least I'm gonna say that I tried
I'll try to stay a little longer, even though I should probably leave
What's the sense in hurting my pride?
Why would you want to make me feel bad for wanting to stay?
The answer is no, no, no
I really should leave soon
Aw baby, it's cold outside
But it's too cold outside to leave now
Your welcome has been
I'm glad you came to visit
How lucky that you dropped in
I'm very happy you decided to come over
So nice and warm
It's cozy and comfortable inside
Look out the window at that storm
Let's admire the snowfall from the window
My sister will be suspicious
My sister might have concerns about us being alone in this weather
Um gosh, your lips are delicious
You have very attractive lips
And my brother will be there at the door
My brother might show up and see you leaving
Waves on a tropical shore
I'm thinking about tropical beaches to distract myself from you leaving
My maiden aunt's mind is vicious
My aunt might have concerns about us being alone in this weather
Oh gosh, your lips are so delicious
Your lips are very attractive
But maybe just a cigarette more
Stay a little longer and have a cigarette with me
Oh never such a blizzard before
I've never seen a snowstorm like this before
I've got to get home
I really need to leave now
But baby, you'll freeze out there
But it's too cold outside for you to leave now
Say lend me your coat
Can I borrow your coat to help me stay warm?
Oh up to your knees out there
It's very deep snow outside, up to your knees
You've really been grand
You've been wonderful company
I thrill when you touch my hand
I get excited when you touch me
But you don't see, no, no
You don't understand how much I want you to stay
How can you do this thing to me?
Why would you want to make me leave on such a cold night?
There's bound to be talk tomorrow
People will probably gossip about us staying together in this weather
Think of my life long sorrow
I'll be sad without you in my life
At least there will be plenty implied
There will be a lot of speculation and rumors about us
If you caught pneumonia and died
If you get sick from staying out in this weather, I would feel terrible
But I really can't stay
I need to leave now
Get over that whole doubt
Don't worry about it, I need to go now
Oh baby it's cold, cold outside
It's very cold outside and I should leave
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Frank Loesser
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@aura6136
I really can't stay
But baby it's cold outside
I got to go away
But baby it's cold outside
This evening has been...
Been hoping that you'd drop in
So very nice
I'll hold your hands, they're just like ice
My mother will start to worry
Beautiful, what's your hurry?
My father will be pacing the floor
Listen to the fireplace roar
So really, I'd better scurry
Beautiful, please don't hurry
But maybe just a half a drink more
I'll put some records on while I pour
The neighbours 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 tonight
To break this spell
I'll take your hat, your hair looks swell
I ought to say, no, no, no sir
Oh, mind if I move in closer?
At least I'm gonna say that I tried
What's the sense in hurting my pride?
I really can't stay
But baby, don't hold out
But baby it's cold outside!
I simply must go
But baby, it's cold outside
The answer is no, no, no
Aw baby, it's cold outside
Your welcome has been
How lucky that you dropped in
So nice and warm
Look out the window at that storm
My sister will be suspicious
Um gosh, your lips are delicious
And my brother will be there at the door
Waves on a tropical shore
My maiden aunt's mind is vicious
Oh gosh, your lips are so delicious
But maybe just a cigarette more
Oh never such a blizzard before
I've got to get home
But baby, you'll freeze out there
Say lend me your coat
Oh up to your knees out there
You've really been grand
I thrill when you touch my hand
But you don't see, no, no...
How can you do this thing to me?
There's bound to be talk tomorrow
Think of my life long sorrow
At least there will be plenty implied
If you got pneumonia and died
But I really can't stay
Get over that whole doubt
Oh baby it's cold outside!
@jhumm77
I didn't realize that I needed to hear Brett and Meghan to do a duet until I heard this song and they need to do more together.
@erinhoeppner5114
Their voices are SO BEAUTIFUL separately but together it’s even BETTER!
@keziaannaya7019
MEGHAN'S VOICE IS SO GOOD 😭
@thenotoriousk.i.m5684
I know so beautiful I almost cried its so beautiful
@lacondrathompson1747
I like Meghan
@adairalizbarriga9650
Ong fr 😭😭!!!
@gaelmarin1023
Yeah, so cute 🥺
@joannaltice3218
Sing ya'll
@summerblonde9740
My favorite version of this classic song. love all of the versions, but this really shines. Love both voices.
@janetstonerook4552
I heard a version of this song in which the female singer was the one requesting the guy to stay. Brought it all into perspective. It's about romance , nobody is forcing anybody to
do anything.