By Steve Rhodes
One of the cleverest little ditties about the romantic push-and-pull ever written, though the gender politics may – or may not be – dated. The Betty Carter/Ray Charles version – provided below – is particularly recommended.
Released: 1949
Words and Music by: Frank Loesser
Charts: The version by Dinah Shore and Buddy Clark peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Best Sellers chart.
Also recorded by: Sammy Davis Jr. and Carmen McRae; Dean Martin; Barry Manilow and K.T. Oslin; Rod Stewart and Dolly Parton; Bette Midler and James Caan; Ray Charles and Betty Carter.
Wikipedia: Loesser wrote the duet in 1944 and premiered the song with his wife at their Navarro Hotel housewarming party. The female voice in the song is called “The Mouse” and the male “The Wolf.” . . . In 1948, after years of informally performing the song at various parties, Loesser sold its rights to MGM, which inserted the song into its 1949 motion picture, Neptune’s Daughter. The film featured two performances of the song: one by Ricardo Montalban and Esther Williams and the other by Red Skelton and Betty Garrett. These performances earned Loesser an Academy Award for Best Original Song.
Songfacts: Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey recorded a version of this song for Jessica’s Christmas album: Rejoyce: The Christmas Album (released in 2004)
Lyrics:
I really can’t stay – Baby, it’s cold outside
I’ve got to go away – Baby, it’s cold out there
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 you’re hurry
And father will be pacing the floor – Listen to that 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
And 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 the 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 hurtin’ my pride?
I really can’t stay – Baby don’t hold out
Baby but it’s cold outside
I simply must go – but Baby it’s cold outside
The answer is no – i say it’s cold out there
The welcome has been – How lucky that you dropped in
So nice and warm – Look out that 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
Well maybe just a cigarette more – Oh, never such a blizzard before
I’ve got to go home – Baby, you’ll freeze out there
Say, lend me your 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
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 hold out
oh but it’s cold outside
YouTube: Doris Day & Bing Crosby
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Betty Carter & Ray Charles
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Previously in Song of the Moment:
* Iron Man
* The Story of Bo Diddley
* Teach Your Children
* Dream Vacation
* When The Levee Breaks
* I Kissed A Girl
* Theme From Shaft
* Rocky Mountain High
* North to Alaska
* Barracuda
* Rainy Days and Mondays
* Brother, Can You Spare A Dime?
Posted on January 15, 2009