Baby It's Cold Outside
She & Him 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
The 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, 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've 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, thrill when you touch my hair
Why 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
Ah, but it's cold outside




Oh, baby, it's cold outside
Oh, baby, it's cold outside

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Baby It's Cold Outside" by She & Him may sound like a cozy winter love song, but it also has a controversial history. The male voice in the song is asking the female voice to stay and spend the night with him, even though she's expressed that she needs to leave. He employs various tactics to convince her, claiming it's too cold outside, that her family will worry about her, and that he'll make her a drink. The female voice seems hesitant but ultimately gives in and stays, even though she says she really shouldn't. Critics have labeled the song as promoting coercive behavior and not respecting a woman's autonomy.


The line "Say, what's in this drink?" has prompted much discussion and controversy. Some believe it alludes to date rape drugs, while others point out that the phrase was commonly used in the 1940s and '50s to excuse one's own behavior while drinking.


The song was originally written by Frank Loesser in 1944 as a duet for him and his wife to sing at parties. It was never intended to be publicly recorded or sold commercially. However, in 1948, it was featured in the film "Neptune's Daughter" and won an Academy Award for best original song. Ironically, in the movie, the roles were reversed, and the female voice was the one pursuing the male voice.


Line by Line Meaning

I really can't stay, baby it's cold outside
I want to leave, but the weather is so cold that it is dangerous


I've got to go away, baby it's cold outside
I need to go home because it's too cold to stay here


The evening has been, been hoping that you'd drop in
I enjoyed spending time with you tonight


So very nice, I'll hold your hands, they're just like ice
Your hands are cold and I want to warm them up


My mother will start to worry, beautiful, what's your hurry?
My mother might get upset if I don't come home soon


Father will be pacing the floor, listen to the fireplace roar
My father will be worried and waiting for me to come home


So really I'd better scurry, beautiful, please don't hurry
I should leave now, but I don't want to rush you


Maybe just a half a drink more, put some records on while I pour
Let's have a little more to drink and listen to some music together


The neighbors might think, baby, it's bad out there
People might judge us for staying out in the cold weather


Say, what's in this drink, no cabs to be had out there
I'm feeling the effects of the alcohol and there are no taxis available to take us home


I wish I knew how, your eyes are like starlight now
I'm enchanted by your beauty and I'm not sure what to do


To break this spell, I'll take your hat, your hair looks swell
I'll try to distract myself by complimenting your appearance


I ought to say no, no, no, mind if I move in closer?
I know I should say no, but I want to be closer to you


At least I'm gonna say that I tried, what's the sense in hurting my pride?
I don't want to regret not trying to be with you, even if it means risking rejection


I really can't stay, baby, don't hold out
I'm leaving now, please don't try to make me stay


Ah, but it's cold outside
I'm hesitant to leave because of the cold weather


I've got to get home, but, baby, you'll freeze out there
I need to leave to go home, but I'm worried about you being cold outside


Say, lend me your coat, it's up to your knees out there
Can I borrow your coat to keep warm?


You've really been grand, thrill when you touch my hair
I've enjoyed spending time with you and I like it when you touch me


Why don't you see, how can you do this thing to me?
Why don't you realize how much I like you? This is making it hard for me to leave


There's bound to be talk tomorrow, think of my lifelong sorrow
People will talk about us if we spend the night together and it could cause me long-term regret


At least there will be plenty implied, if you caught pneumonia and died
If you got sick from being out in the cold, people would assume it was because of me


I really can't stay, get over that holdout
I need to leave, please accept that


Oh, baby, it's cold outside
The cold weather is making it hard for me to leave




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

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

Bujin Bel

Baby, It's Cold Outside
She and Him
Paroles
I really can't stay, baby it's cold outside
I've got to go away, baby it's cold outside
The 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 - 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've got to get 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, thrill when you touch my hair
Why 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 outside
Oh, baby, it's cold outside
Oh, baby, it's cold outside



All comments from YouTube:

JonahUponTheHill

The animation paired with this retro-type music is captivating.

Elizabeth Sidell

I think you mean "paired". Is English your first language?

Vicki Noeske

One of my favorite vintage holiday songs. Cute animation.

MarkB 1181

Clever vidja, & wonderfully sung. I've clearly become a huge fan of She & Him. Their new album is amazing.

Janice Marie Foote

Love their version 💋

Danielle Belisario-Biddle

All time classic with a modern twist! Makes me smile 😊

DSM The Editor

Now I want to splice both this version and the Elf version so Zooey sings this to herself

Ken Ricklin

Listening and watching She & Him tonight on YouTube. It's the middle of August, 2021 and watching this video for the first time. What a pleasant surprise and fun interpretation of the timeless classic "Baby, It's Cold Outside". I'm glad I came across this sweet, humorous video. Thanks for making it, She & Him!

Letícia Lourenço

quanto amor essa mĂșsica

junior de castro

amo demais essa animação

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