Baby It's Cold Outside
Johnny Mercer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Margaret Whiting & Johnny Mercer (in italics)
Music and lyrics by Frank Loesser
I really can't stay
But, baby, it's cold outside
I got to go way
But. baby, it's cold outside
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
And father will be pacing the floor
Listen to the fireplace roar
So I'd better scurry
Beautiful, please don't hurry
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 now
To break the spell
I'll take your hand, 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 of hurting my pride
I really can't stay
Baby don't hold out
Ahh, but it's cold outside
I simply must go
But, baby, it's cold outside
The answer is no
But, baby, 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
Gosh, your lips look delicious
My brother will be there at the door
Waves upon a tropical shore
My maiden aunt's mind is visious
Eww, 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
See ya, say, lend me a comb
It's up to your knees out there
You've really been grand
I thrill 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
Making my life long sorrow
At least there will plenty implied
If you caught pnuemonia and died
I really can't stay
Get over that old out
Ahh but it's cold outside
Transcribed by: Richard Pontin
(PLNEAPPLE@aol.com)
The song "Baby It's Cold Outside" is a classic song that has been performed by many artists and was even featured in the movie Elf. The song is written as a duet, with the male and female singers playing the parts of a man trying to convince a woman to stay the night with him, even though it's cold outside, and her resisting and wanting to leave. However, the lyrics have been seen by some as problematic in modern times, with the woman questioning what's in the drink and the man pushing her to stay despite her protests.
Despite any controversy surrounding the lyrics, there are some notable aspects to the song. One interesting fact is that it was written by Frank Loesser in 1944 and was originally intended to be performed by him and his wife at parties. Another is that the song has been covered by a wide range of musicians, including Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett, Dean Martin, and Idina Menzel and Michael Bublé. The song has also been parodied several times, with different twists on the original lyrics.
Furthermore, the song has been analyzed by some for its potential underlying meanings. Some interpretations see the song as reflecting the societal constraints on women during that period, with the woman wanting to stay but not wanting to be thought of as promiscuous. Others have seen the song as reflective of the changing societal attitudes towards women and sex, as it was written and popularized in the 1940s.
The chords for the song are as follows:
Verse: C, A7, Dm7, G7, C, A7, Dm7, G7, C, A7, Dm7, G7, C, A7, Dm7, G7
Bridge: E7, Am, E7, Am7 (repeat twice)
Line by Line Meaning
I really can't stay
I want to leave, but I can't
But, baby, it's cold outside
It's very cold outside and I don't want to leave
I got to go way
I really need to leave
But. baby, it's cold outside
The weather is terrible and I don't want to go out
This evening's has been
I've enjoyed spending time with you tonight
Been hoping that you'd drop in
I've been wanting to see you
So very nice
I think you're wonderful
I'll hold your hands, they're just like ice
Your hands are so cold that I want to warm them up
My mother will start to worry
My mother will be concerned about my safety
Beautiful, what's your hurry
Why rush, let's enjoy the moment
And father will be pacing the floor
My father will be anxious about my whereabouts
Listen to the fireplace roar
Stay here with me and enjoy the comfort of the fire
So I'd better scurry
I should probably leave soon
Beautiful, please don't hurry
Take your time, there's no rush to leave
Maybe just a half a drink more
Maybe I'll have a little more to drink before I go
Put some records on while I pour
Let me pick out some music while I pour you another drink
The neighbors might think
Other people could get the wrong idea
Baby, it's bad out there
The weather is terrible and it's dangerous to leave
Say, what's in this drink
I'm not sure what's in this drink that we're having
No cabs to be had out there
There are no cabs available in this weather
I wish I knew how
I want to know how to stay with you
Your eyes are like starlight now
I'm lost in your beautiful eyes
To break the spell
I need to find a way to end this moment
I'll take your hand, your hair looks swell
I want to touch your hair and be close to you
I ought to say no, no, no, sir
I know I should say no, that it's time for me to go
Mind if I move in closer
Let me get a little closer to you
At least I'm gonna say that I tried
I want to try to stay with you a little longer
What's the sense of hurting my pride
Why make me feel bad about wanting to stay?
Baby, don't hold out
Please don't make me leave
Ahh, but it's cold outside
It's so cold that I want to stay with you
I simply must go
I really need to leave
But, baby, it's cold outside
It's really cold out there and I don't want to leave
The answer is no
I don't want to stay, but it's hard to leave
But, baby, it's cold outside
I'm not comfortable leaving in this weather
This welcome has been
I've enjoyed spending time with you
How lucky that you dropped in
I'm happy that you're here with me
So nice and warm
It's so cozy and comfortable here with you
Look out the window at that storm
It's too dangerous to leave in this storm
My sister will be suspicious
My sister might think there's more going on than there really is
Gosh, your lips look delicious
I can't help but be attracted to you
My brother will be there at the door
My brother might try to interfere with our time together
Waves upon a tropical shore
Our time together is like being on a tropical vacation
My maiden aunt's mind is visious
My aunt can be judgmental and suspicious
Eww, your lips are delicious
I can't resist you and your kiss
Well maybe just a cigarette more
One more smoke before I leave couldn't hurt
Never such a blizzard before
I've never seen such a bad snowstorm before
I've got to get home
I really need to go back to my own place
But, baby, you'll freeze out there
I'm worried that you'll be too cold out there
See ya, say, lend me a comb
Let me borrow your comb before I go
It's up to your knees out there
The snow is too high and too deep to walk through
You've really been grand
You've been a wonderful host and companion
I thrill when you touch my hand
I get excited when you touch me
How can you do this thing to me
Why are you making it so hard for me to leave?
There's bound to be talk tomorrow
People will gossip about our time together
Making my life long sorrow
This could cause me problems in the future
At least there will plenty implied
People will think what they want to think
If you caught pnuemonia and died
I'm worried that you'll get sick if you go out in this weather
Get over that old out
Let's forget about me leaving and just enjoy our time together
Ahh but it's cold outside
I really don't want to leave because it's so cold outside
Contributed by Andrew F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@bleachbleachBLEACHER
+Martha Agness "I have to go."
"But baby it's cold outside."
"My parent's are going to be worried."
"But baby it's cold outside."
"Say, what's in this drink? I wish I knew how to break the spell."
"Your eyes are like starlight, your hair looks swell."
"I ought to say no, no, no sir."
"Mind if I move in closer?"
"I really can't stay."
"Don't hold out, it's cold outside."
People say this song is about rape because the entire song the girl is trying to leave and get out of the guy's house, and he's just not hearing it. If it was made clear in the beginning that there was a freaking blizzard going on and not just 'cold' like the first 3/4ths of the song sound like, they wouldn't be on it so much. But until he starts saying she'll freeze if she goes out and that the snow is up to your knees, it doesn't sound like there's a blizzard, it just sounds like he's trying to keep her in the house against her wishes.
@beatlesgorock
Okay.
This song isn't about rape. Even the 1920's weren't as barbaric as that, believe it or not.
If your explanation for rape is "say what's in this drink" then you need to think again. Sorry to tell you, but they didn't have rufies in the 1920's when they wrote this song. It was just an expression for those who wanted to make a joke about how "unaware" they were about the alcohol in their drink.
If your argument is "she keeps saying no" she never says that either. Also she's not really concerned with her well being but rather what other people think.
Though really it is more about how you take it, just don't take it too extreme. Remember it's just a song, and it's not nearly as gross as blurred lines.
@TerryB01
He didn't drug her (could be eggnog with liquor). She didn't really want to leave. She was playing hard to get. It was a fun game for both.
@fangsabre
and the original writers of the song were married, so its more playful banter than actually playing hard to get
@angelad.9853
lildominator2 Another idiot.
@caramelwoodpecker460
You're why we need a sex ed curriculum
@jacleesx2022
@@caramelwoodpecker460 Wow all the lead based paint chips you ate as a child are really starting to take effect on your brain.
@joshuacooper770
And it has returned again. Our annual anti-American culture mob always reforms around Christmas. This year Charlie Brown and Rudolf are in danger as well.
@hollyguthrie5107
I love how people overthink songs... This is meant to be an upbeat flirtatious song, not one about rape.
@babyseed5124
I'm crying from laughter neebs did it better
@yamahaguy1732
Holly Meep no longer played on the radio as of this year cause of offended pussies
@MGAonlineacademy
Un f’kin real!