"Blame It On The Bossa Nova", together: "I Want To Stay Here".
Baby It's Cold Outside
Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(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
(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 of hurting my pride
(I really can′t stay) Baby, don′t hold doubt
Baby, it's cold outside
(I simply must go) Baby, it′s cold outside
(The answer is no) Baby, it's cold outside
(The welcome has been) How lucky that you dropped in
(So nice and warm) Look out the window at the 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 vicious) Gosh your lips are delicious
(But maybe just a cigarette more) Never such a blizzard before
(I got to get home) But, baby, you'd 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 life long sorrow
(At least there will be plenty implied) If you caught pneumonia and died
(I really can′t stay) Get over that old doubt
Baby, it's cold
Baby, it′s cold outside
The song "Baby, It's Cold Outside" is a classic duet that's most often associated with the holiday season. The lyrics paint a playful, flirtatious picture of a man and woman trying to decide whether the woman should stay over at the man's house on a cold winter's night. The woman is hesitant to stay, but the man is persistent in his invitation, using a combination of charm, logic, and the fact that it's simply too cold outside.
Throughout the song, the woman's reservations are clear, but the man tries to convince her to stay with excuses like "the neighbors might think" and "your lips look delicious". The woman, however, questions what might happen to her reputation if she stays over, saying "there's bound to be talk tomorrow" and "think of my life long sorrow". In the end, however, the woman agrees to stay, giving in to the man's persuasive words.
It's important to note that this song was written in 1944 and may not necessarily reflect modern sensibilities on the topics of consent and sexual harassment. However, it's also worth noting that the song can be interpreted in a variety of ways, with some seeing it as a charming depiction of playful flirting and others critiquing it as an example of male persistence in the face of female resistance.
Line by Line Meaning
(I really can′t stay) But, baby, it's cold outside
I am hesitant to stay, but I would like to stay with you because of the cold weather outside
(I′ve got to go away) But, baby, it's cold outside
I feel like I have to leave, but the cold temperature outside makes me want to stay
(This evening has been) Been hoping that you'd drop in
I had been looking forward to spending time with you tonight
(So very nice) I′ll hold your hands they′re just like ice
I am being kind by holding your hands because they are cold
(My mother will start to worry) Beautiful, what's your hurry
My mother might start to become concerned, so please take your time and stay a while
(My father will be pacing the floor) Listen to the fireplace roar
My father may get anxious about us spending time together, so let's listen to the fireplace and relax
(So really I′d better scurry) Beautiful, please don't hurry
I should go soon, but I would prefer if you didn't feel rushed or pressured to leave
(Well, maybe just half a drink more) Put some records on while I pour
Another drink would be nice, and while I make it, you can choose some music to listen to
(The neighbors might think) Baby, it′s bad out there
It would cause some attention from the neighbors if you went outside in this harsh weather
(Say what's in this drink) No cabs to be had out there
The drink I made is nothing special, and there are no taxi cabs available to take you home
(I wish I knew how) Your eyes are like starlight now
I am admiring your beautiful eyes right now
(To break this spell) I′ll take your hat, your hair looks swell
I am trying to break the current mood, and I think taking your hat and complimenting your hair will do that
(I ought to say no, no, no, sir) Mind if I move in closer
I should refuse your advances, but I am interested in moving closer to you
(At least I'm gonna say that I tried) What's the sense of hurting my pride
I want to make an effort to resist, but is there really a reason to hurt my feelings?
(I really can′t stay) Baby, don′t hold doubt
I don't want you to think that I don't want to stay with you, it's just that I feel like I might need to go
Baby, it's cold outside
It's just really cold outside
(I simply must go) Baby, it′s cold outside
I wish I could stay, but the cold weather outside makes it difficult
(The answer is no) Baby, it's cold outside
I am saying no to your request because of the cold weather outside
(The welcome has been) How lucky that you dropped in
I am grateful that you decide to visit me tonight
(So nice and warm) Look out the window at the storm
It's cozy and comfortable inside, and we can watch the storm through the window
(My sister will be suspicious) Gosh your lips look delicious
My sister might be suspicious of our relationship, but I can't help but think you have lovely lips
(My brother will be there at the door) Waves upon a tropical shore
My brother may show up unexpectedly, but let's pretend we are listening to the sound of waves on a beach
(My maiden aunt′s mind is vicious) Gosh your lips are delicious
My aunt might be judgmental, but I can't help but think your lips look amazing
(But maybe just a cigarette more) Never such a blizzard before
Neither of us have experienced a storm like this, maybe you can smoke one more cigarette while we wait it out
(I got to get home) But, baby, you'd freeze out there
I really need to go, but I am worried about you being exposed to the cold outside
(Say lend me a coat) It′s up to your knees out there
Can you do me a favor and lend me a coat because the snow is pretty high outside
(You've really been grand) I thrill when you touch my hand
You have been such a wonderful companion, and I get excited whenever you touch me
(But don't you see) How can you do this thing to me
I feel like you are teasing or tempting me, how can you make me feel this way?
(There′s bound to be talk tomorrow) Think of my life long sorrow
People might talk or gossip about us, and it will be a source of sadness for me for a long time
(At least there will be plenty implied) If you caught pneumonia and died
At least there will be enough hints and innuendos to suggest that we might have had something going on if you were to get sick and die
(I really can′t stay) Get over that old doubt
I cannot stay, but please stop doubting my feelings for you
Baby, it's cold
It's just really cold outside
Baby, it's cold outside
It's just really cold outside
Writer(s): Frank Loesser
Contributed by Jason E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.