☝️ Key Points
- The song is about a couple convincing each other to stay longer, even though it's very cold outside.
- The man tries to persuade the woman to stay with compliments and arguments.
- The woman is torn between staying or leaving, but is influenced by the man's arguments and persistence.
- At the end of the song, it becomes clear that the woman ultimately decides to stay and there may be consequences to her decision.
- The song addresses playful seduction, the internal conflict between desire and reason, as well as societal expectations and consequences.
Interpretation
"Baby, It's Cold Outside" is a classic duet performed by
Ella Fitzgerald and other artists. The song is about a couple who are in a house and convince each other to stay longer, despite the cold weather outside.
The woman in the song actually wants to leave, but the man tries to persuade her to stay. He emphasizes how cold it is outside and that it could be dangerous to go home. He says, "Baby, it's cold outside" and "No cabs to be had out there". He tries to convince her with compliments like "Your eyes are like starlight now" and "Your lips look delicious".
The woman is torn about whether to stay or go. She says she has to leave and that the answer is "no". But she is influenced by the man's arguments and persistence. She says, "At least I'm gonna say that I tried" and "I ought to say no, no, no, sir".
At the end of the song, it becomes clear that the woman ultimately stays and that there could be consequences for her decision. She says, "There's bound to be talk tomorrow" and "If you caught pneumonia and died".
Overall, the song is about playful seduction and the internal conflict between desire and reason. It also addresses the theme of societal expectations and consequences.