Baby It's Cold Outside
Dinah Shore Lyrics


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I really can't stay - but baby it's cold outside
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
Well, maybe just a half a drink more - Put some records on while I pour

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

Overall Meaning

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.
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Comments from YouTube:

@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

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