After graduating from UCLA in 2002, Bareilles performed at local bars and clubs. She issued two demos of mostly live tracks in 2003: The First One in April and The Summer Sessions in October.
In January 2004, Bareilles released her first studio album, Careful Confessions. She signed a contract with Epic Records' A&R executive Pete Giberga on April 15, 2005. The remainder of the year and early 2006 was spent writing and reworking songs for her upcoming album.
Her debut major-label album Little Voice came out on July 17, 2007.
Baby It's Cold Outside
Sara Bareilles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But 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?
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 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
Ah, 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 that window, at that storm
My sister will be suspicious
God, your lips look so delicious
My brother will be there at the door
Waves upon the tropical shore
My maiden aunt's mind is vicious
Ooh your lips are delicious
Well, maybe, just a cigarette more
Never such a blizzard before
I got to get home
But 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 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 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
Oh, baby, it's cold outside
The song "Baby It's Cold Outside" was written by Frank Loesser in 1944 as a duet between a man and a woman. The lyrics suggest that the woman wants to leave the man's house, but he is trying to persuade her to stay with him because it is cold outside. Despite the controversy surrounding the song in recent years due to language being perceived as non-consensual and the statement of date rape, the original meaning of the song is not meant to promote dubious consent or implied sexual coercion. Instead, this song is a reflection of a consensual interaction between two adults whose relationship is somewhat complicated by societal norms and require them to be coy and playful.
Throughout the song, the woman is trying to leave, and the man keeps trying to convince her to stay. The song is filled with innuendos and ambiguous lines that suggest what each of them is thinking. For example, the man says, "Say, what's in this drink?" This statement has been misinterpreted over the years, implying that he's drugging her, which is not the case. The saying was a common colloquialism of the time, referring to the strength of an alcoholic drink. There's also a line that says, "What's the sense in hurting my pride?" which suggests that the woman is also attracted to the man and wants to stay, but she is holding back due to societal norms, and how other people will perceive her leaving.
Line by Line Meaning
I really can't stay
I don't want to infringe on your hospitality, but...
But baby it's cold outside
...the weather outside is harsh.
I've got to go away
I have to leave, but...
But baby it's cold outside
...it's really chilly out there.
This evening has been
I've had a lovely time hanging out.
Been hoping that you'd drop in
I was looking forward to your visit.
So very nice
It's been wonderful.
I'll hold your hands, they're just like ice
Your hands are freezing, let me warm them up.
My mother will start to worry
My mom will begin to get anxious.
Beautiful, what's your hurry?
You look beautiful, is there any rush?
Father will be pacing the floor
Dad will be walking back and forth.
Listen to the fireplace roar
Lets listen to the sound of the fireplace.
So really I'd better scurry
I must leave soon.
Beautiful, please don't hurry
Don't rush.
Maybe just a half a drink more
Care for a refill?
Put some records on while I pour
I'll play some music as I pour your drink.
The neighbors might think
Our neighbors may start to speculate.
Baby, it's bad out there
The weather is terrible outside.
Say, what's in this drink?
What did you put in my beverage?
No cabs to be had out there
There's no taxi service out here now.
I wish I knew how
I wish I knew how to put an end to this.
Your eyes are like starlight now
I'm mesmerized by your eyes.
To break this spell
I need to end this enchantment.
I'll take your hat, your hair looks swell
I'll take your hat and you still look great.
I ought to say no, no, no sir
I really shouldn't stay any longer.
Mind if I move in closer?
Would it be okay for me to move closer to you?
At least I'm gonna say that I tried
I'll attempt to resist your charms.
What's the sense in hurting my pride?
But I see little reason to degrade myself.
Baby, don't hold out
Come on, let's do away with the hesitation.
Ah, but it's cold outside
The weather is severe
I simply must go
I really have to go now.
But baby it's cold outside
I'm worried about how cold it is.
The answer is no
I don't want to stay.
But baby it's cold outside
It's too cold out there.
This welcome has been
You've been such a gracious host.
How lucky that you dropped in
I'm so thankful you stopped by.
So nice and warm
it's so comfortable and warm here.
Look out that window, at that storm
Just look at that blizzard.
My sister will be suspicious
My sister will get suspicious.
God, your lips look so delicious
You are so attractive.
My brother will be there at the door
My brother is planning to visit.
Waves upon the tropical shore
The waves are breaking on the tropical shore.
My maiden aunt's mind is vicious
My aunt may judge me.
Ooh your lips are delicious
I find your lips very tempting.
Well, maybe, just a cigarette more
Perhaps I'll take another cigarette.
Never such a blizzard before
I've never experienced such a severe snowstorm before.
I got to get home
I should get going to my own house.
But baby, you'll freeze out there
You'll be very cold outside.
Say, lend me your coat
Can I borrow your coat?
It's up to your knees out there
The snow is knee-high in the storm.
You've really been grand
You have been a wonderful host.
I thrill when you touch my hand
I love being close with you.
But don't you see
Don't you understand?
How can you do this thing to me?
How can you leave me to bear the harsh winter alone?
There's bound to be talk tomorrow
People will talk about this encounter.
Think of my life long sorrow
It's a painful thought to bear.
At least there will be plenty implied
Our reputations may be damaged.
If you caught pneumonia and died
If you get sickand die because of this..
I really can't stay
I am really not inclined to stay.
Get over that hold out
Let's overcome your reluctance.
Ah, but it's cold
It's really chilly outside.
Oh, baby, it's cold outside
You cannot leave because it is too cold outside.
Lyrics © DistroKid, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Frank Loesser
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MattePurple1
Ben has never had the best voice. But it is unique, and he is a musical freaking genius. It wasn't a lie when she said he knows everything. His technical proficiency for piano pop is unmatched.
@teh_hunterer
I don't know about that. He used to sing a lot better. Years of aggressive touring and bad habits have messed up the way he sings.
You should look up some of his older performances to get an idea of the prodigious pipes he has.
It's annoying the way his voice is now, because I still get the feeling he hasn't actually done damage to his voice - he just needs to take some time off and relearn how to sing.
@1996Jacqui
Hunter Poelsma I agree that his voice use to be better in his earlier years, but I saw him recently at the Sydney Opera House and he was f-ing brilliant. His voice is still up there for me.
@teh_hunterer
I just saw him in Melbourne and he was brilliant there too. He always seems to sound better live than he does in studio recordings of the same year or so.
I really dislike the way he has been recording since around Songs for Silverman, where he seems to be right up on the mic and much louder in the mix. If you compare the way he recorded his voice in the first two BFF albums with The Sound of the Life of the Mind it's more clear what I mean. His presence in the mix is completely different!
@willritter4076
I'd greatly appreciate it if some Sara & Ben fans would check out my channel for live piano & vocal covers of classic 80s/90s songs... i do the performances without any electronic audio equipment, using only the piano, my voice, and the acoustics of the room. Thanks and please pardon the self promo.
@JohnMan59
Musicians, Plain and simple. Musicians.....and OH so lovely.
@blogginsriverbymnl48isabop86
If there was a Ben and Sara show I'd watch it.
@kpz1234
Ben cracking up on the "if you get pneumonia and died" line was classic. They should do a whole Christmas song album together.
@JayByrd2011
From left to right, perfect harmonies along with a fabulous "band"!
@achilles7116
Sara! No wonder she's my favourite singer/songwriter¬!