Baby It's Cold Outside
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?
My father will be pacing the floor
Listen to the fireplace roar
So 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 of 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
Oh, the answer is no
Baby, it's cold outside
Your 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 so vicious
Your lips are delicious
Well, 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 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 holdout
Baby, it's cold outside

Overall Meaning

The song "Baby it's cold outside" sung by Norah Jones and Willie Nelson is a classic duet between two lovers who are reluctant to say goodbye. The lyrics explore themes of seduction, social pressure, and the ambiguity of consent. The song's catchy melody and witty lyrics have made it a holiday favorite since its release in 1944.


The first verse sets the playful tone of the song. The female character expresses her desire to leave due to the cold weather, but the male character persuades her to stay by stating that he has been hoping for her visit. The male then offers to warm her hands while they talk, creating physical closeness between the two. The second verse brings up the social pressure the couple may face, expressing concern about the woman's parents worrying about her being out too long. The male character continues to offer her drinks and plays music to keep her entertained. The third verse takes a slightly darker turn, as the female character expresses her concern that others may misinterpret her staying with the male character, questioning what's in her drink. The male character continues to encourage her as he tells her how beautiful she looks.


Verse four sees the female character trying to make an excuse to leave, thinking that maybe the male character just wanted some company. The male character responds to her reluctance with a playful, suggestive manner, asking if he can move in closer. The tension builds as both characters reluctantly express their desire to stay or leave. The fifth verse sees the female character ready to leave, but she needs a coat to go outside, so the male offers to lend her his. Finally, in the last verse, the female character's sense of propriety returns, and she questions what people will think of her spending the night with the male character. In response, the male suggests that she may catch pneumonia outside, and that would be worse.


Overall the song explores the nuances of a relationship between two individuals who are interested in each other, but societal pressures make them question their actions. The ambiguity of the situation raises questions about consent, but it is ultimately up to the listener to interpret the characters' intentions.


Line by Line Meaning

I really can't stay
I want to stay, but I feel societal pressure to leave


Baby, it's cold outside
It is cold outside and I don't want you to get sick


I've got to go away
I don't actually want to leave, but I feel like I have to


But baby, it's cold outside
It is cold outside and I don't want you to get sick


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


Been hoping that you'd drop in
I have been looking forward to seeing you


So very nice
I have had a wonderful time


I'll hold your hands, they're just like ice
Your hands are cold to the touch, and I want to keep you warm


My mother will start to worry
My mother will be concerned about me staying out late


Beautiful, what's your hurry?
You are so beautiful, why do you have to leave so soon?


My father will be pacing the floor
My father will be anxious about me staying out late


Listen to the fireplace roar
Let's enjoy the warmth and coziness of being inside by the fireplace


So really, I'd better scurry
I should leave soon so my parents don't worry


Beautiful, please don't hurry
You are so beautiful, please don't feel like you have to rush


Well, maybe just a half a drink more
I don't really want to leave yet, maybe I can stay a little longer


Put some records on while I pour
Let's listen to some music and enjoy each other's company


Neighbors might think
People outside might judge us for me trying to convince you to stay


Baby it's bad out there
It is dangerous outside and I don't want you to get hurt


Say what's in this drink?
I didn't put anything in your drink, it's just the effect of the alcohol


No cabs to be had out there
There are no available cabs to take you home


I wish I knew how
I wish I knew how to convince you to stay


Your eyes are like starlight now
Your eyes are beautiful and captivating


To break this spell
To end this moment that we are sharing together


I'll take your hat, your hair looks swell
I want to make sure you are comfortable and looking your best


I ought to say no, no, no, sir
I should say no to your offer to stay, but I really want to say yes


Mind if I move in closer
Can I get closer to you? I don't want to offend you


At least I'm gonna say that I tried
I will try to convince you to stay, but I respect your decision to leave


What's the sense of hurting my pride?
Why do you want to hurt my feelings by leaving early?


Baby, don't hold out
Don't leave yet, stay with me a little longer


Baby, it's cold outside
It is cold outside and I don't want you to get sick


I simply must go
I should leave soon, even though I don't want to


Baby, it's cold outside
It is cold outside and I don't want you to get sick


Oh, the answer is no
I can't stay, even if I want to


Baby, it's cold outside
It is cold outside and I don't want you to get sick


Your welcome has been
I am glad you came over, I enjoyed your company


How lucky that you dropped in
I am lucky that you decided to visit me tonight


So nice and warm
This moment feels cozy and intimate


Look out the window at that storm
The weather outside is really bad, please stay safe


My sister will be suspicious
My sister will think that there's more going on between us than there really is


Gosh, your lips look delicious
You look amazing, especially your lips


My brother will be there at the door
My brother will be coming over soon, so you should probably leave


Waves upon a tropical shore
Let's imagine that we are on a tropical vacation, far away from the cold weather


My maiden aunt's mind is so vicious
My aunt is judgmental and will think the worst about our situation


Your lips are delicious
You look amazing and your lips are captivating


Well, maybe just a cigarette more
I don't really want to leave yet, maybe I can stay a little longer


Never such a blizzard before
The weather outside is really bad, and it is not safe to stay


I've got to get home
I need to get home soon, even though I don't want to leave


Baby, you'll freeze out there
It is cold outside and I don't want you to get sick


Say, lend me a coat
Can you let me borrow a coat so I won't be so cold outside?


It's up to your knees out there
The snow outside is really deep, and it is not safe to stay


You've really been grand
You have been amazing company and I've really enjoyed our time together


I thrill when you touch my hand
I feel a spark between us when we touch, and it makes me happy


But don't you see?
Can't you understand why I don't want you to leave yet?


How can you do this thing to me?
Why are you leaving me like this, when I want you to stay?


There's bound to be talk tomorrow
People will gossip about us and think we are more than just friends


Think of my lifelong sorrow
I will feel sad for the rest of my life if you leave right now


At least there will be plenty implied
People will assume that there is more going on between us than there actually is


If you caught pneumonia and died
I don't want you to get sick and possibly die because of how cold it is outside


I really can't stay
I want to stay, but I feel societal pressure to leave


Get over that holdout
Don't be so stubborn, stay with me a little longer


Baby, it's cold outside
It is cold outside and I don't want you to get sick




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

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

Elisavet Schina

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?
And my father will be pacing the floor
Just listen to that fireplace roar
Now really I'd better scurry
Sweetheart, what's your hurry?
Well maybe just a half a drink more
Why don't you put some records on while I pour
All the neighbors might think
But baby, it's bad out there
Say, what's in this drink?
No cabs to be had out there
Oh, 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
But baby, it's cold out there
Oh, this 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
Ooo, baby you're so delicious
Well maybe just one little kiss more
Never such a blizzard before
Oh, I've got to go home
You'll freeze to the bone 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
But don't you see?
How can you do this thing to me?
Oh, there's bound to be talk tomorrow
Making my lifelong sorrow
Well at least there will be plenty implied
If you caught pneumonia and died
But I really can't stay
Get over that old out
Baby it's cold outside
Ooo ooo ooo
Hey, I gotta get out of here
Come on, baby
Come on what?
Just give me five minutes more
You sure know how to wear a girl down, don't you?
Okay, okay, okay, okay



All comments from YouTube:

Jorge Véliz

This is by far the best version for this song. You can feel the complicity of both, the smooth flirting, the moral dilemma and the tasteful respectful desire. Beautiful song.

Greyinkling

Willie Nelson sings like a country guitar. His twinging and twanging voice with her smooth sultry style in this smooth jazzy piece are the perfect contrast and combination. People can whine about Willie all they want but I love this version.

FirstMary Lastspol

Oh! I love this. It makes me feel I'm in a Jazz club sitting at a table sipping at a favorite drink and enjoying the music.

Dante Cuales Jr.

I can't stop listening to this song! It's the best rendition of the song I have ever come across. 

Ike Sweat

ooooOOOOooo not quite the best....lol sorry, but Dean Martin and Doris Day has 'em beat by a smidge (for me anyway), and I'm loving Lady Gaga and Joseph Gordon-Levitt's take on it too. This is refreshing though, isn't it?

jennifer Crabtree

O.L. Pritchett Awwww.....I really hated the Lady Gaga version.  Levitt was very classy, but she looked and her body language was horrible.  It was awkward to me.  :(  This one is my FAV.

Ike Sweat

jennifer medley
Gaga dropped at least 3 of her lines lol... I think she was on dope
:::)϶

Mimi Sasaki

Try Blossom Dearie and Bob Dorough

Gary Street

Say what you will but I think both of these Artists always bring their own authenticity to almost any song....and it is usually done very well.

celine55candyfloss

I love her voice!! So soothing

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