Baby
Lyle Lovett Lyrics


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I really can't stay (Baby, it's cold outside)
I've got to go 'way (Baby, it's cold outside)
The evening has been (I've been hopin' that you'd drop in)
So very nice (I'll hold your hand, they're just like ice)

My mother will start to worry (Hey beautiful, what's your hurry)
And father will be pacing the floor (Listen to that fireplace roar)
So really, I'd better scurry (Beautiful, please don't hurry)
Well, maybe just a half a drink more (Put some music 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 oughtta say no, no, no sir (You mind if I move in closer)
At least I'm gonna say that I tried (And what's the sense in hurting my pride)
I really can't stay (Oh baby, don't hold out)
Oh, but it's cold outside

I simply must go (It's cold outside)
The answer is no (Baby, it's cold outside)
The welcome has been (So lucky that you dropped in)
So nice and warm (Look out the window at that storm)

My sister will be suspicious (Your lips look delicious)
My brother will be there at the door (I ain't worried about you brother)
My maiden aunt's mind is vicious (That ol' biddy, she ain't gonna bother me)
Well maybe just a cigarette more (You don't need no cigarette, it's smokin' plenty up in here)

I've got to get home (Baby, you'll freeze out there)
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)
Oh, but don't you see (How can you do this thing to me)

There's bound to be talk tomorrow (Well, 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)
Oh, but baby it's cold outside

Overall Meaning

The song "Fat Babies," by Lyle Lovett, is a humorous take on the idea of pride and how it can be a hindrance in relationships. The repeated line "Fat babies have no pride" serves as a refrain that emphasizes the point that sometimes it's better to have no pride at all. The opening line "I don't like hippies, and I don't like cornbread" suggests that the singer is particular and knows what he likes and dislikes. However, he also acknowledges that he doesn't like much, which can lead to a narrow-minded viewpoint. In contrast, the idea of fat babies having no pride is a way of highlighting the innocence and lack of self-awareness that can be charming and endearing in people.


Line by Line Meaning

said I don't like hippies
I expressed my dislike of hippies


And I don't like cornbread
I also do not like cornbread


And I don't like much
In general, I do not like many things


I said I don't hippies
I reiterated my hatred towards hippies


And I don't like cornbread
I restated that I am not fond of cornbread


And I don't like much
I reinforced the notion that I do not like many things


But that's okay
However, it is acceptable to not like certain things


Fat babies have no pride
Obese infants do not possess pride


Fat babies have no pride
I am emphasizing the lack of pride obese infants possess


Fat babies have no pride
I continue to iterate that infants who are overweight have no pride


And that's okay
It is acceptable that they lack pride


Who needs pride
I am questioning the necessity of having pride


I like you
I have a fondness for you


Cause you like me
Because you share the same feelings towards me


And you don't like much
You, like me, also do not enjoy many things


I like you
I reaffirm my affection towards you


Cause you like me
I maintain that my fondness for you stems from your feelings towards me


And you don't like much
I reiterate that you also have similar dislikes as me


And that's okay
It is perfectly acceptable not to like many things


Cause fat babies have no pride
Reiterating that infants that are overweight do not possess pride


Fat babies have no pride
Stressing the lack of pride overweight infants have


Fat babies have no pride
Emphasizing once again that infants that are overweight have no pride


And that's okay
It is acceptable that obese infants lack pride


Who needs pride anyway
In general, I am questioning the necessity of pride


Fat babies make me sick
Overweight infants make me feel nauseous


Fat babies make me ill
I become physically unwell at the sight or thought of obese infants


All that fat baby drooling
The amount of saliva that overweight infants produce disgusts me


And that fat baby smell
The scent of obese infants is unpleasant to me


I said I don't like hippies
I remind the listener of my dislike of hippies


And I don't like cornbread
I restate that I do not enjoy cornbread


And I don't like much
Once again, I emphasize my general lack of enjoyment towards many things


But I like you
Despite my general dislike towards many things, I have a fondness for you


Cause you like me
This fondness arises because of your positive feelings towards me


And you don't like much
You, like me, are not fond of many things


And that's okay
It is acceptable to not like many things


Cause fat babies have no pride
Once again, I am reiterating the fact that infants that are overweight lack pride


Fat babies have no pride
Emphasizing that obese infants do not possess pride


Fat babies have no pride
Stressing that overweight infants have no pride


And that's okay
It is perfectly acceptable for infants that are overweight to lack pride


Who needs pride anyway
I question the significance of having pride




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Frank Loesser

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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