Baby It
Norah Jones Lyrics


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I really can't stay
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?
And my father will be pacing the floor
Listen to that fireplace roar
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

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, 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
Baby don't hold out
Oh, but it's cold outside

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

My sister will be suspicious
Gosh, your lips look delicious
And my brother will be there at the door
Waves upon a tropical shore
Oh, my maiden aunt's mind is vicious
Your lips are delicious
Well maybe just a cigarette more
Never such a blizzard before

I've got to go 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 you touch my hand
But 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 old out
Baby it's cold outside

Overall Meaning

The song "Baby It's Cold Outside" by Willie Nelson is a conversation between a man and a woman, where the woman is hesitant to leave the man's house because of the cold weather outside. The man is trying to convince her to stay a little longer by being flirty and sugary with his words. But as the song goes on, we can see that the woman is more and more unsure about staying, especially when she hears lines like "What's in this drink?" and "My maiden aunt's mind is vicious." However, in the end, the woman decides to leave despite the man's attempts to make her stay.


The lyrics of this song are deep and rich, which have given rise to multiple interpretations over the years. Some people view it as a playful song while others believe it is a man trying to pressure a woman into staying with him. The lyrics "Say what's in this drink?" have raised eyebrows among many, and some people believe that it alludes to the date rape drug, although that might not be the songwriter's intention.


Line by Line Meaning

I really can't stay
I am feeling a bit apprehensive about staying longer


Baby it's cold outside
It is pretty chilly outside, hence, I must insist that you stay here for the night


I've got to go away
I must leave now


But baby it's cold outside
It is freezing outside and I don't want you to catch a cold


This evening has been
I have really enjoyed spending time with you tonight


Been hoping that you'd drop in
I was eagerly anticipating your arrival


So very nice
I am having a great time with you


I'll hold your hands, they're just like ice
Your hands are freezing cold, let me warm them up for you


My mother will start to worry
My mother might start to get anxious


Beautiful, what's your hurry?
You look gorgeous tonight, why are you in such a rush?


And my father will be pacing the floor
My father might get restless


Listen to that fireplace roar
Let's sit by the fire and listen to its crackling sound


Really I'd better scurry
I should hurry up and leave


Beautiful, please don't hurry?
Take your time, there is no need to rush


Well maybe just a half a drink more
Let's have another drink, just half of it


Put some records on while I pour
I will play some music while I pour the drinks


Neighbors might think
Our neighbors might form an opinion about us


Baby it's bad out there
It is dangerous outside


Say what's in this drink?
I am curious about the contents of this drink


No cabs to be had out there
There are no taxis available outside


I wish I knew how
I really want to know how to break this awkward silence


Your eyes are like starlight now
Your eyes are shining brightly like stars


To break this spell
I need to find a way to end this strange silence


I'll take your hat, your hair looks swell
Your hair looks amazing, let me take your hat


I ought to say no, no, no, sir
I should refuse, I don't want this to happen


Mind if I move in closer
Do you mind if I come closer?


At least I'm gonna say that I tried
Even if it doesn't work out, at least I tried


What's the sense in hurting my pride?
Why do you want to hurt my self-respect?


Baby don't hold out
Please stay, don't go


I really can't stay
I cannot stay any longer


Oh, but it's cold outside
It is very cold outside


I simply must go
I have to go now, there is no other choice


The answer is no
I don't want to stay any longer


Baby, it's cold out there
It is extremely cold outside


Your welcome has been
You are very much welcome here


So lucky that you dropped in
I feel fortunate that we got to spend time together tonight


So nice and warm
It is cozy and warm inside


Look out that window at that storm
Take a look outside, it is snowing heavily


My sister will be suspicious
My sister might get suspicious about our interactions


Gosh, your lips look delicious
Your lips look absolutely tempting and alluring


And my brother will be there at the door
My brother might be at the door to check on us


Waves upon a tropical shore
The view outside is like ocean waves on a tropical shore


Oh, my maiden aunt's mind is vicious
My maiden aunt can be pretty mean sometimes


Your lips are delicious
Your lips are really appealing and enticing


Well maybe just a cigarette more
Just one more cigarette, please


Never such a blizzard before
I have never seen such a severe blizzard before


I've got to go home
I have to leave and return home


Baby you'll freeze out there
You will get cold outside


Say, lend me a coat
Can you lend me a coat, please


It's up to your knees out there
There is so much snow outside that it will be up to your knees


You've really been grand
You have been exceptional and amazing company tonight


I thrill when you touch my hand
I get a rush of excitement every time you touch my hand


But don't you see?
Can't you understand what I am trying to say?


How can you do this thing to me?
Why are you putting me in this situation?


There's bound to be talk tomorrow
People will talk about us tomorrow


Think of my lifelong sorrow
Imagine the grief that I will have to bear for the rest of my life


At least there will be plenty implied
They will imply that we did something we weren't supposed to do


If you caught pneumonia and died
If you caught pneumonia and passed away


Get over that old out
Please ignore those outdated values and norms


Baby it's cold outside
It is really cold outside and I am concerned for your safety




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS

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Comments from YouTube:

J. H.

A fantastic rendition...voices pair really nicely.

Shannon Stoeckinger

Lovely rendition of this beautiful song! Their voices are perfect for this.

Kenneth Wood

Perfect combination, their version of the song is my favorite. Their voices have a mild volume on the song. Which makes it makes it a nicer than the other music artists.

Marcella Kirkpatrick

It may be cold outside, but the way they sound together,  makes it warm inside. :)\

Susan Campbell

The best!

john9944

I love Willie and the song is classic. I would love to hear Norah do this with Leon Redbone. Willie's guitar verse solo is perfect and with Mickie jumping in for the last eight bars it's earth shattering.

Herbert Otto

Baby - is such a great song! I have heard dozens of renditions. Each has something special. This one by Willie and Norah is surprisingly good - to my taste. Thanks much.

Todd Kuzma

Willie is an American musical legend. Great version!

Todd Kuzma

Willie is an American musical legend. Great version!

TakaraStarChan

I think this is the best version of the song that I've heard by far. Their voices make a really interesting combination. I love it.

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