Baby it
Colbie Caillat Lyrics


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(Ay, where you going)
I gotta go
(You haven't even finish this drink)

I really can't stay
(But baby it's cold outside)
I've got to go away
(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)
Well maybe just a half a drink more
(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)
To break the spell
(I'll take your hat, your hair looks swell)

I ought to say no, no, no, sir
(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
(Baby don't hold out)
Oh, but it's cold outside, oh, oh, oh
(Come on, give me chance)

I simply must go
(Baby, it's cold outside)
The answer is no
(Oh darling, it's cold outside)
This 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
(Man, your lips look delicious)
My brother will be there at the door
(Waves upon a tropical storm)
My maiden aunt's mind is vicious
(Gosh, your lips are so delicious)
Well, maybe just half a drink more
(Never such a blizzard before)

I've got to go home
(But, baby, you'll freeze out there)
Say, will you lend me your coat
(It's up to your knees out there)
You know you've really been grand
(I'm thrilled when you touch my hand)
But don't you see
(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 caught pneumonia and died)
I really can't stay
(Get over that hold out)
Oh, but it's cold outside

(You better get back over here)
Now, you don't give up, do you?
I gotta go home
(Then why you go home then, it's fine)
Fine, I'm leaving
(Good, kill the environment and burn this wish)

Oh oh I ought to say no, no, no sir
(Mind if I move closer)
At least I'm gonna say that I tried
(What's the sense in hurting my pride)
I really can't stay
(Baby don't hold out)
Oh, but it's cold outside
Oh, but it's cold outside

Dah de dah du da, I got to go home
(It's no time of night to be leaving anyways)
I gotta go
(Give me one more hour)
I don't trust you




(It's for your own good, Colbie)
I am having a really good time

Overall Meaning

This song is a duet between Colbie Caillat and Gavin DeGraw that tells the story of two lovers who don't want to part ways despite the cold weather. In the opening lines, the woman wants to leave, but the man wants her to stay as it is cold outside. They go back and forth, each giving reasons why they should or shouldn't leave.


However, a closer look at the lyrics reveals that the woman is hesitant to stay because she is worried about what others might say, especially her family. She is aware that her mother and father will be concerned and her sister and brother will be suspicious. The man tries to convince her by complementing her and getting her to relax, yet she still seems torn.


The song is often subject to controversy because some people interpret the lyrics to be about a man trying to coerce a woman into staying with him. However, others view it as a flirtatious and playful exchange between two consenting adults. This interpretation is supported by the fact that the song was written in 1944 by Frank Loesser as a duet for him and his wife, who performed it publicly as a party trick.


Line by Line Meaning

Ay, where you going
Questioning where the other person is going


I gotta go
Stating that they have to leave


You haven't even finish this drink
Noticing that the other person has not finished their drink


I really can't stay
Expressing that they need to leave


But baby it's cold outside
Using the cold weather as an excuse to convince them to stay


I've got to go away
Reiterating that they need to leave


Baby it's cold outside
Again using the weather as an excuse for them to stay


This evening has been
Reflecting on the enjoyable time they had spent together


Been hoping that you'd drop in
Expressing that they wanted the other person to visit them


So very nice
Describing the time they spent together as pleasant


I'll hold your hands, they're just like ice
Noticing that the other person's hands are cold to the touch


My mother will start to worry
Mentioning that their mother will be concerned about their whereabouts


Beautiful, what's your hurry
Questioning why the other person needs to leave so soon


My father will be pacing the floor
Indicating that their father will be anxious about their safety


Listen to the fireplace roar
Encouraging the other person to listen to the sound of the fireplace


So really I'd better scurry
Acknowledging that they should probably leave


Beautiful, please don't hurry
Asking the other person to take their time before leaving


Well maybe just a half a drink more
Suggesting that they stay a little longer and have another drink


Put some records on while I pour
Offering to play some music while they pour another drink


Baby, it's bad out there
Conceding that the weather outside is not good


No cabs to be had out there
Pointing out that there are no taxis available


Your eyes are like starlight
Complimenting the other person's eyes


To break the spell
Admitting that they are under a sort of spell that makes it difficult to leave


I'll take your hat, your hair looks swell
Complimenting the other person's appearance while removing their hat


I ought to say no, no, no, sir
Feeling like they should say no to staying longer


Mind if I move in closer
Asking permission to move closer to the other person


What's the sense in hurting my pride
Questioning why they should hurt their own pride by leaving


Baby don't hold out
Asking the other person not to resist staying longer


Oh, but it's cold outside, oh, oh, oh
Admitting that the cold weather is making it difficult to leave


Come on, give me chance
Asking for a chance to convince the other person to stay longer


The answer is no
Declining to stay any longer


Oh darling, it's cold outside
Trying to show affection while acknowledging the cold weather outside


How lucky that you dropped in
Expressing gratitude for the other person's visit


So nice and warm
Describing the home as comfortable and warm


Look out the window at that storm
Directing the other person to see the snowy storm outside


Man, your lips look delicious
Complimenting the other person's appearance again


Waves upon a tropical storm
Describing the weather outside as tumultuous


Gosh, your lips are so delicious
Repeating the compliment from before


Never such a blizzard before
Saying that they have never seen such a severe blizzard before


But, baby, you'll freeze out there
Warning the other person that they will be cold outside


It's up to your knees out there
Describing how deep the snow is outside


I'm thrilled when you touch my hand
Confessing that they enjoy the other person's touch


How can you do this thing to me
Expressing confusion as to why the other person wants to leave


There's bound to be talk tomorrow
Anticipating that people will talk about the time they spent together


Think of my life long sorrow
Asking the other person to consider the impact staying longer might have on their life


If you caught pneumonia and died
Highlighting the danger of being out in the cold weather for too long


Get over that hold out
Persuading the other person to let go of their reluctance to stay longer


Now, you don't give up, do you?
Recognizing the other person's persistence to leave


Then why you go home then, it's fine
Allowing the other person to leave if they really want to


Fine, I'm leaving
Agreeing to leave even if it's not what they really want


Good, kill the environment and burn this wish
Making a sarcastic comment about the other person's decision to leave


Dah de dah du da, I got to go home
Singing in a playful way that they have to go home


It's no time of night to be leaving anyways
Noticing that it's late and not a good time to leave


Give me one more hour
Asking for a little more time together


I don't trust you
Jokingly expressing mistrust towards the other person


It's for your own good, Colbie
Stating that the other person should leave for their own well-being


I am having a really good time
Admitting that they are enjoying themselves and don't want to leave




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: FRANK WILDHORN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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