Baby It's Cold Outside
Dinah Shore and Buddy Clark Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

You see, it′s cold outside
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, what′s your hurry?
My father will be pacing the floor - listen to the fireplace roar
Now really I've got to 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 - 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 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 - oh, baby don't hold out
Ah, but (baby) it′s cold outside

Hmmm
It's nice and comfortable in here, isn′t it, honey
Yeah

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 the window at that storm

My sister will be suspicious - gosh, your lips look delicious
My brother will be there at the door - waves upon a tropical shore
My maiden aunt's mind is vicious - mmmm, your lips are delicious
Well, maybe just a cigarette more - never such a blizzard before

I've got to get home - but, baby, you′ll freeze out there
Say, lend me your comb - it′s up to your knees out there
You've really been grand - I thrill when you touch my hand
Oh, 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
Ah, but (baby) it's cold




You know it′s cold outside?
Yeah

Overall Meaning

The song "Baby It's Cold Outside" is a duet between a man and a woman who are inside a house together, with the woman indicating that she wants to leave because it is cold outside, while the man is trying to persuade her to stay. The song is filled with some controversial lyrics that raised concerns in recent years as they tend to project an image of a man trying to pressure a woman into doing something that she doesn't want to do. However, some people believe that this is a misinterpretation of the song's playful and flirtatious nature. The lyrics seem to be conveying a romantic and charming back-and-forth flirtation between two individuals who seem equally interested in each other. The woman is concerned about how her reputation might be affected if she stays, but the man is just trying to convince her to spend some more time with him.


Line by Line Meaning

You see, it's cold outside
I'm just acknowledging the weather, which is quite cold and unpleasant


I really can't stay - but baby it's cold outside
I am aware that I should leave, but I am asking you to stay because it is cold outside and I don't want to be alone


I've got to go away - but baby it's cold outside
I know I should go, but I am using the cold weather as an excuse to stay with you a little longer


This evening has been - been hoping that you'd drop in
I've enjoyed spending time with you tonight and I was hoping you would come over


So very nice - I'll hold your hands, they're just like ice
I am complimenting you and trying to warm up your cold hands by holding them


My mother will start to worry - beautiful, what's your hurry?
I'm acknowledging that someone might be concerned about your safety, but I'm also asking you to stay a little longer


My father will be pacing the floor - listen to the fireplace roar
I'm recognizing that someone might be anxious, but I'm also pointing out how cozy and inviting our surroundings are


Now really I've got to scurry - beautiful, please don't hurry
I'm acknowledging that I should leave, but I'm also asking you to stay and enjoy the warmth and company a little longer


Well, maybe just a half a drink more - put some records on while I pour
I am inviting you to have another drink and relax while I put some music on


The neighbors might think - but baby, it's bad out there
The weather is so bad that even the neighbors would understand why we are staying inside


Say, what's in this drink? - no cabs to be had out there
I am offering you a drink, and also revealing that the weather is so bad that it is difficult to get a cab home


I wish I knew how - your eyes are like starlight now
I wish I knew how to convey to you how beautiful you look in this light


To break the spell - I'll take your hat, your hair looks swell
I want to break the tension by complimenting you and making you feel more comfortable


I ought to say no, no, no, sir - mind if I move in closer?
I recognize that I should say no to your advances, but I am also hinting that I am interested in them


At least I'm gonna say that I tried - what's the sense in hurting my pride?
I am acknowledging that I may regret this decision later, but I feel that I should at least try to enjoy your company and not hurt your feelings


I really can't stay - oh, baby don't hold out
I am emphasizing that I should go, but also asking you to not hold it against me


Ah, but (baby) it's cold outside
I am using the cold weather as an excuse to stay a little longer because I don't want to be alone


It's nice and comfortable in here, isn't it, honey
I am commenting on how cozy and pleasant it is inside


I simply must go - but, baby it's cold outside
I am acknowledging that I should leave, but encouraging you to stay close to me a little longer, using the cold as an excuse


The answer is no - but, baby it's cold outside
I am rejecting your advances, but also willing to prolong our interaction because of the weather


The welcome has been - how lucky that you dropped in
I am expressing my gratitude for your visit and acknowledging how fortunate we are to enjoy each other's company tonight


So nice and warm - look out the window at that storm
I am emphasizing the coziness and warmth of our surroundings, while also pointing out how unpleasant the weather is outside


My sister will be suspicious - gosh, your lips look delicious
I am joking about my sister being suspicious of my intentions, while also commenting on how attractive I find you


My brother will be there at the door - waves upon a tropical shore
I am recognizing that someone might come to the door, but also comparing our cozy surroundings to a tropical getaway


My maiden aunt's mind is vicious - mmmm, your lips are delicious
I am acknowledging that my maiden aunt might be judgmental or disapproving, but also expressing my attraction to you


Well, maybe just a cigarette more - never such a blizzard before
I am asking you to stay and have another cigarette, while also commenting on how severe the weather is outside


I've got to get home - but, baby, you'll freeze out there
I am acknowledging that I should leave, but also expressing concern for your well-being outside in the cold


Say, lend me your comb - it's up to your knees out there
I am asking for your help with my appearance, while also commenting on how deep the snow is outside


You've really been grand - I thrill when you touch my hand
I am expressing my appreciation for your company and how much I enjoy being close to you


Oh, don't you see - how can you do this thing to me?
I am expressing my frustration and disappointment that I have to leave, because I have enjoyed our time together so much


There's bound to be talk tomorrow - think of my life long sorrow
I am acknowledging that there may be negative consequences to our actions tonight, and hinting at potential long-term regrets


At least there will be plenty implied - if you caught pneumonia and died
I am joking about the potential gossip and drama that could follow if we are discovered, while also expressing concern for your health in the cold weather


I really can't stay - get over that hold out
I am emphasizing that I need to leave, and encouraging you to accept that fact and not prolong our goodbye


Ah, but (baby) it's cold
I am using the cold weather as an excuse to stay a little longer because I don't want to be alone


You know it's cold outside?
I am making a playful, lighthearted comment, since we have been talking so much about the cold weather




Writer(s): Frank Loesser

Contributed by Anthony V. 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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