Childhood and rise to success
Born to Solomon and Anna Stein Shore, Jewish immigrants from Russia, she lived in Winchester, Tennessee. When she was two years old, she was stricken with polio (infantile paralysis), a disease that was not handled well at the time. Thankfully, her parents cared enough to provide intensive care for her, and she recovered and overcame the disease. However, she suffered from having a slightly deformed foot and limp, which did not physically impede her. She performed at a night club when she was only 14 years old.
When her mother died unexpectedly of a heart attack, Dinah went to Vanderbilt University, where she participated in many events and activities. She graduated from the university in 1938. She decided to get back into pursuing her career in singing, so she went to New York to audition for orchestras and radio stations. In many of her auditions, she sang the popular song "Dinah." When disc jockey Martin Block could not remember her name, he called her the "Dinah girl," and soon after the name stuck, becoming her stage name. She eventually was hired as a vocalist at radio station WNEW, where she sang with Frank Sinatra. She also recorded and performed with the Xavier Cugat orchestra. Eventually, she got her recording contract with RCA Victor records in 1940.
Career in the 1940s and 1950s
While recording on RCA Victor's Bluebird label, she released her first recording, "Yes, My Darling Daughter" and it became a major hit for her. Dinah's singing came to the attention of Eddie Cantor, and he signed her as a regular on his popular radio show, "Time to Smile", in 1940. Dinah credits him for teaching her self-confidence, comedic timing and the ways of connecting with an audience.
She was a featured vocalist on The Chamber Music Society of Lower Basin Street and soon became a successful radio and music star with her own radio show in 1943, "Call to Music". Also in 1943, she appeared in her first movie, "Thank Your Lucky Stars". The movie starred Eddie Cantor, and she soon went to another radio show, "Paul Whiteman Presents". During this time, America had been actively involved in World War 2 and Dinah became a popular favorite with the troops, similar to the popularity of Bing Crosby. She was having major record hits, like "I will Walk Alone" and "Blues In the Night", one of her first of many number-one hits to come. To support the troops overseas, who adored her singing, she participated in USO tours to Europe. She met a young actor ready to go into military service named George Montgomery. They married on December 3, 1943. Despite their marriage, Montgomery soon went into service. When he returned from the service, they settled in San Fernando, California. In 1948, their first child was born, a daughter named Messina, and they also adopted a son in 1954 named John David and then moved to Beverly Hills.
Dinah continued appearing in radio shows throughout the 1940s. She performed in radio shows like "Birds Eye-Open House" and "Ford Radio Show". One of her most popular recordings was "Baby It's Cold Outside" with Buddy Clark. The song was covered by many other artists, Ella Fitzgerald for example. Other hits followed this success like "Buttons and Bows" and "The Gypsy". She was a regular with Jack Smith on his radio show on CBS, which ran for 15 minutes. She went into many more movies. As an actress, Shore appeared in many musical films, such as "Belle of the Yukon" and "Up in Arms" (both in 1944), and "Till the Clouds Roll By" (1946). She was also featured in numerous TV movies and series. She lent her musical voice to two Disney films: "Make Mine Music" (1946) and "Fun and Fancy Free" (1947). In early 1946, she moved to another label, Columbia Records. In 1950 she made her television show debut on "The Ed Wynn Show" and also made a guest appearance on Bob Hope's first television show. After being on many other people's television shows, she got her own, "The Dinah Shore Show" in 1951. She did two fifteen minute shows a week for NBC. She won her first Emmy for the show in 1955. The show was sponsored by Chevrolet automobiles. The sponsor's theme song ("See the USA in your Chevrolet") became the singer's signature piece. She continued to appear in Chevrolet advertising through the 1950s.
Later career
From 1970 through 1980, Shore hosted two daytime programs, "Dinah's Place" (1970-1974) on NBC and "Dinah!" (later "Dinah and Friends") in syndication from 1974 through 1980. On her show "Dinah!", she once had the misfortune of interviewing the comedian Andy Kaufman in his Tony Clifton guise. He took deliberate offense at her questions and eventually tipped a pan of eggs over her head. This happened live on the air in front of a huge TV audience and Shore's producers cut to an impromptu commercial as Kaufman was escorted out of the studio.
TV screenshot image
Shore, with her Dixie drawl and demure manner, was always identified with the South, and guests on her shows often commented on it.
Shore won nine Emmys, a Peabody Award and a Golden Globe.
Shore guest starred on "Pee-wee's Playhouse Christmas Special", calling Pee-wee on his picturephone and singing "The 12 Days of Christmas". Throughout the special, Pee-wee walks past the picture phone, only to hear her going past the original 12 days ("...on the 500th day of Christmas...")
Personal life
Shore was married to actor George Montgomery from 1943 to 1962 and had a daughter, Melissa Ann (known today as Melissa Montgomery-Hime, executor of the Dinah Shore Trust and the owner of the rights to most of Shore's television series). Shore later adopted a son, John David 'Jody' Montgomery. After her divorce from Montgomery, she briefly married Maurice Smith. In the early 1970s, Shore had a long and happy public romance with actor Burt Reynolds, who was 20 years her junior. The relationship gave Shore an updated, sexy image, and took some of the pressure off Reynolds in maintaining his image as a ladies' man.
Death and legacy
Dinah Shore died in Beverly Hills, California of ovarian cancer at age 77 (5 days before her 78th birthday). Her ashes were divided and she has two burial sites. Half were interred in the Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery in Culver City, California and the other half interred at Forest Lawn Cemetery (Cathedral City) near her beloved second home in Palm Springs, California.
Shore's legacy resonates posthumously, with a 1998 album featuring the arrangement skills of Andre Previn combined with the re-releasing of some of her classic recordings like 'April in Paris', and 'My Funny Valentine', garnering moderate success.
Baby It's Cold Outside
Dinah Shore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've 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 words you're humming
And father will be pacing the floor - Listen to the fireplace roar
So really I'd better scurry - Beautiful, please don't hurry
The neighbours might think - But 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 the spell - I'll take your hat, your hairs 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 of hurting my pride?
I really can't stay - Oh baby don't hold out
Ah but it's cold outside - Baby it's cold outside
I simply must go - But baby it's cold outside
The answer is no -But baby it's cold outside
The welcome has been - How lucky that you dropped in
So nice and warm - Look out that window at that storm
My sister will be suspicious - God your lips look delicious
My brother will be there at the door - Waves upon a tropical shore
My maiden aunt's mind is vicious - Gosh your lips are delicious
Well, maybe just a cigarette more -Never such a blizzard before
I got to get home - But baby you'd freeze out there
Say, lend me your coat - It's up to your knees out there
You've really been grand - I'm thrilled when you touch my hand
Why don't you see - 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
I really can't stay - Get over that hold-out
Ah but it's cold outside - Ah but it's cold outside
The song "Baby It's Cold Outside" was written by Frank Loesser in 1944 and became a significant hit during the 1950s. The song highlights a man and a woman, inner thoughts and conversation while he tries to persuade her to stay the night as she comes up with excuses to leave. Critics have noted that the song represents an example of how male domination was seen in the 1950s. But others have defended it as a playful banter in which women exercised agency to state what they wanted.
In the first two lines, the woman confirms that she has to leave, but the man encourages her to stay by insisting that it's cold outside. The woman is hesitant, pointing out that her parents will begin to worry when she is absent for a long time, but the man gives a seemingly valid explanation. The man compliments the woman on how she looks and her talent for singing.
The woman is hesitant about her ability to stay, worrying that people in the neighbourhood will question her staying over. Moreover, she is concerned about the content of the drink that she has taken, highlighting the man's pressure. As the song comes to an end, the woman tries to be resolved in her decision to leave, stating that she has to get home. The man offers his coat in response to the woman's discomfort with the weather, and the song ends with mutual adoration.
Line by Line Meaning
I really can't stay - but baby it's cold outside
I'm hesitant to stay the night but the weather is quite chilly
I've got to go away - but baby it's cold outside
I need to leave soon, but it's freezing outside
This evening has been - Been hoping that you'd drop in
I've been looking forward to your visit tonight
So very nice - I'll hold your hands, they're just like ice
This visit has been lovely, but your hands are freezing
My mother will start to worry - Beautiful words you're humming
My mother will become concerned if I stay too long, but I'm enjoying your sweet nothings
And father will be pacing the floor - Listen to the fireplace roar
My father will grow impatient waiting for me, but let's enjoy the sounds of the cozy fire
So really I'd better scurry - Beautiful, please don't hurry
I should probably leave soon, but don't rush our time together
Well, maybe just a half a drink more - Put some records on while I pour
Okay, maybe I can stay for one more drink while we listen to some music
The neighbours might think - But baby it's bad out there
The neighbors might get the wrong idea about us if I leave now, and the weather is too dangerous to venture out
Say, what's in this drink? - No cabs to be had out there
What did you put in my drink? It's too cold to find a cab
I wish I knew how - Your eyes are like starlight now
I'm enchanted by your eyes, but I wish I knew how to leave without offending you
To break the spell - I'll take your hat, your hair looks swell
To snap out of this trance, I'll help you with your coat and take note of how lovely your hair looks
I ought to say no, no, no sir - Mind if I move in closer?
I should decline your advances, but can I come a little closer?
At least I'm gonna say that I tried - What's the sense of hurting my pride?
To save face, I'll act like I tried to leave, but why bother when it might hurt my ego?
I really can't stay - Oh baby don't hold out
I don't want to stay, but don't make it difficult for me to leave
Ah but it's cold outside - Baby it's cold outside
It is obvious that it is frigid outside
I simply must go - But baby it's cold outside
I really must leave now, even if it's frosty outside
The answer is no -But baby it's cold outside
I'm saying no to your proposition, even if it's unpleasant outside
The welcome has been - How lucky that you dropped in
I'm glad you came by for a visit, but it's time for me to go
So nice and warm - Look out that window at that storm
These surroundings are very warm, but check out the winter storm through the window
My sister will be suspicious - God your lips look delicious
My sister will be skeptical of our interaction, but your lips are very appealing
My brother will be there at the door - Waves upon a tropical shore
My brother will be waiting for me, but let's pretend we're by the beach instead
My maiden aunt's mind is vicious - Gosh your lips are delicious
My aunt's mind is judgmental, but your lips are extremely tempting
Well, maybe just a cigarette more -Never such a blizzard before
Perhaps I'll have one more cigarette, but I've never seen a storm like this
I got to get home - But baby you'd freeze out there
I must get home now, but you would freeze to death outside
Say, lend me your coat - It's up to your knees out there
Can I borrow your coat? It's too snowy outside; yours won't suffice
You've really been grand - I'm thrilled when you touch my hand
You've been a wonderful companion, and I get excited when you touch me
Why don't you see - How can you do this thing to me?
Don't you understand that I have to leave? Why are you doing this to me?
There's bound to be talk tomorrow - Think of my lifelong sorrow
People will certainly gossip about us tomorrow, so please think about how it will affect me in the long run
At least there will be plenty implied - If you caught pneumonia and died
There will be a lot of innuendo, especially if you catch pneumonia and pass away
I really can't stay - Get over that hold-out
I seriously can't stay, so please get over it and let me go
Ah but it's cold outside - Ah but it's cold outside
It's freezing outside, you get it!
Contributed by Layla I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@1953childstar
As a child, I played this over and over… Such a great recording.
@imanim4844
Now I play it over and over every year :)
@vynthes1935
I remember this song, like many others from the game Mafia 2, which I played 12 years ago. Nostalgia hits hard. Driving a car in a snowy weather and listening to those oldies. There is something in these types of old songs which is hard to describe and cannot be found in today's music. Maybe I am just old-fashioned or you can say, anemoic, but I wish I grew up during this time period.
@CarlDuke
Dinah is great and so is Buddy, who sadly died the same year this song reached great heights on the charts, just as Clark's career was reaching new heights. Clark was only 37 when he died in a small plane crash.
@imanim4844
:'( That's so sad. RIP to him. I'm just hearing of him this holiday season
@9496buddy
What can I say?
This is a classic.
Buddy tells Dinah Shore...
listen to the fireplace roar...
@bigboytoy96
I wish I grew up in the time period of this music, I've always played mafia 2 and the soundtrack from the game is one of the #1 reason I always come back to play it
@Mapgamingdk
Good new you Can get mafia 2 remaster now 🎉🎉🎉
@bigboytoy96
Mapgamingdk 1997 considering it.
@LucasSilva-te3md
yeah i feel u, and I assume the second reason are the cars