Baby It
Kelly Clarkson Lyrics


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I really can't stay, 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
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 this spell, I'll take your hat, your hair looks swell
I ought to say no, no, no, 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
Ah, but it's cold outside

I simply must go, baby it’s cold outside
The answer is no, baby it’s cold outside
This welcome has been so nice and warm, baby it’s cold outside
Look out the window at the storm
My sister will be suspicious, actually it’s no suspicion
My brother will be there at the door, please you need to try to go slow
My maiden that’s mind is vicious, oh you’re in trouble
Or maybe just a cigarette more

I’ve got to go home, oh, baby, you’ll freeze out there
Say, lend me your coat, It’s up to your knees out there
You’ve really been grand, I’m feeling you touch my hand
But don’t you see
How can you do this 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 it’s cold outside

Overall Meaning

The song "Baby It's Cold Outside" is a duet that features both the male and female perspectives. The lyrics speak of a woman who is hesitant to stay at a man's house due to the cold weather and societal expectations. She expresses her desire to leave, but the man tries to persuade her to stay a little longer. However, she begins to feel uncomfortable with the situation, suggesting that he may take advantage of her. The man continues to pester her, insisting that she stay, but eventually succumbs to her wishes to leave.


The song has sparked controversy over the years, with debates surrounding the intentions of the lyrics. Some see it as a charming holiday classic, while others argue that it perpetuates rape culture. However, others argue that the song reflects the societal norms of the time in which it was written, and it should be viewed as a historical artifact.


"Baby It's Cold Outside" was originally written by songwriter Frank Loesser in 1944 and performed with his wife at parties. The song gained popularity after it was featured in the 1949 film "Neptune's Daughter," where it won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. Over the years, the song has been covered by numerous artists and has become a holiday staple.


Line by Line Meaning

I really can't stay, baby it's cold outside
The singer is expressing the desire to leave, acknowledging that it's cold outside.


I've got to go away, baby it's cold outside
The singer is reiterating that they have to leave because of the cold weather.


This evening has been, been hoping that you'd drop in
The singer is expressing enjoyment in the company of their guest.


So very nice, I'll hold your hands, they're just like ice
The artist compliments their guest while offering to warm up their cold hands.


My mother will start to worry, beautiful, what's your hurry?
The artist is citing their mother's concern while asking their guest to stay longer.


My father will be pacing the floor, listen to the fireplace roar
The singer is citing their father's hypothetical actions while setting the ambiance of the room.


So really I'd better scurry, beautiful, please don't hurry
The singer is indicating that they should leave soon, but also asking their guest not to rush.


Maybe just a half a drink more, put some records on while I pour
The artist is offering their guest more drink and music before they leave.


The neighbors might think, baby, it's bad out there
The artist is worried about what the neighbors would think if their guest leaves alone in the cold.


Say, what's in this drink? No cabs to be had out there
The guest is questioning the drink while acknowledging that there are no available taxis due to the weather.


I wish I knew how, your eyes are like starlight now
The singer is admiring their guest's appearance and wishing they knew how to make them stay longer.


To break this spell, I'll take your hat, your hair looks swell
The artist wants to keep their guest's hat and is complimenting their hair.


I ought to say no, no, no, mind if I move in closer?
The guest acknowledges they should say no to staying longer, but asks the singer if they can move closer.


At least I'm gonna say that I tried, what's the sense in hurting my pride?
The guest is relenting while asking why they'd make themselves feel bad by refusing the invitation.


I really can't stay, baby don't hold out
The singer is reaffirming their desire to leave and asking their guest not to try and sway them.


Ah, but it's cold outside
The artist is restating why they need to leave and acknowledging the cold weather.


I simply must go, baby it’s cold outside
The artist is convinced they have to leave because of the cold weather.


The answer is no, baby it’s cold outside
The guest is politely declining the singer's invitation because of the weather.


This welcome has been so nice and warm, baby it’s cold outside
The guest acknowledges the nice hospitality but still insists on leaving due to the cold weather.


Look out the window at the storm
The guest points out the severity of the storm outside.


My sister will be suspicious, actually it’s no suspicion
The artist cites their sister's potential distrust, acknowledging it's not unwarranted.


My brother will be there at the door, please you need to try to go slow
The artist forewarns their guest that their brother may be waiting for them and to proceed with caution.


My maiden that’s mind is vicious, oh you’re in trouble
The singer warns their guest that their unmarried female relative can cause trouble.


Or maybe just a cigarette more
The guest is considering staying for one last cigarette.


I’ve got to go home, oh, baby, you’ll freeze out there
The guest insists on leaving because they don't want to risk freezing outside.


Say, lend me your coat, It’s up to your knees out there
The guest is asking the singer to lend them their coat since it's cold outside.


You’ve really been grand, I’m feeling you touch my hand
The guest is thanking their host for their hospitality and enjoying their physical contact.


But don’t you see, How can you do this to me?
The guest feels that the artist is being unfair and causing them discomfort by insisting on their stay.


There’s bound to be talk tomorrow, think of my life long sorrow
The guest fears the potential rumors and negative consequences of staying longer.


At least there will be plenty implied, If you caught pneumonia and died
The guest emphasizes the danger of staying longer and the implications it could have.


I really can’t stay, get over that hold out
The guest is insisting on leaving despite the singer's persuasion.


Ah, but it’s cold outside
The guest is stating the reason for their departure once again.




Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@matoivkovic602

I really can't stay
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 that fire place roar
So really I'd better scurry
Beautiful, please don't hurry
But maybe just a half a drink more
I'll 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 this spell
I'll take your hat, your hair looks swell
I ought to say no no no
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
Baby it's cold outside
I simply must go
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
Gosh your lips are delicious
But maybe just a cigarette more
Never such a blizzard before
I've got to get home
Baby, you'll freeze out there
Say, lend me a coat?
It's up to your knees out there
You've really been grand
I thrill when i touch your 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'll be plenty implied
If you got pneumonia and died
I really can't stay
Get over that hold out
Baby it's cold
Baby it's cold outside



@jkling1717

Please try the Ella Fitzgerald version and see what you think of it. That's considered the standard. But there are other good ones that are really worth listening to. Ray Charles did one. So did Edina Menzel.


When done well, the two singers play off each other and it's a constant struggle with the guy trying to get her to stay and she's trying to do the right thing but he's selling her very well ...the song is a seduction.


IMO, there's just no chemistry in the Clarkson version - she has a great voice but she often just overwhelms Ronnie Dunn, and just seems to be doing "her part" with no regard whatsoever for any sense of the "dance" between the partners. There isn't any sense of proportion. It feels just like they recorded each artist separately and combined it after the fact.


Try some of the others and I hope that you enjoy them as much as I do.



All comments from YouTube:

@kattyegerm

OMG, what a FABULOUS Christmas album!!! She is so good!!!

@dawnmarkey2194

She sounds so much better in this original version, can't believe they felt it appropriate to chop up this classic, to that crazy piece.

@viviansmith7653

This is so beautiful, I can't believe there aren't more likes. Lots of love from Utah 💕

@divastylemebane

This is my favorite version

@susannerumpf6148

Classy and very cute song to display voices amazingly. Love u Kelly.

@andreaswaffordv6287

Kelly. YOU ARE KNOCK OUT GORGEOUS. INSIDE AND OUT. HATERS ARE JEALOUS OF YOU. LET THEM KEEP ON HATIN'.

@caesar349

+Andrea Swafford - no - she's morbidly obese at this point and very unhealthy. She needs to go on the Karen Carpenter diet ASAP.

@pamleblanc3234

OMG...KELLY YOU NAILED IT. YOU TOOK AND MADE MY ALL TIME FAVORITE CHRISTMAS SONG EVEN BETTER. THANK YOU. FIRE GIRL FIRE 🔥🔥🔥. Merry Christmas to you and your babies River and Remington 🎄🎄💝💙🎄🎄🎁🎁

@mariosaldana4006

Check out Mary Lou by the Creative Force, amazing, Merry Christmas!

@starwalker5565

She has a great voice, but favorite is the Dean Martin version

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