"Baby It's Cold Outside" provides a song framework that is used in many duets. The male role is described as the "wolf," while the female role is described as the "mouse." Throughout the song, the wolf tries incessantly to woo the mouse by convincing her that it's better to be with him than outside in the cold.
The writer sold the song to a studio in 1948 where it was subsequently used in a movie called "Neptune's Daughter." In that movie, the song was performed twice. Ricardo Montalban and Ester Williams sang the song, and then it was performed again by Red Skelton and Betty Garrett. The song didn't hit the music charts until it was record by Dinah Shore and Buddy Clark. At least four more duos performed the song in 1949 alone.
From 1963 to 1989, the song was not officially released, but was performed on TV shows and live performance. Since 1990, "Baby It's Cold Outside" has been recorded over 20 times. In 2004, the song was recorded the most times since its original release in 1949 for a total of four times. The duos included Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey, Rod Stewart and Dolly Parton, James Taylor and Natalie Cole and the band Wheat along with Liz Phair.
The song has been recorded by jazz, R&B and alternative music artists, like Liz Phair. It has also been recorded by actors such as Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep. In 2008, Michael Buble performed the song with Anne Murray. The most interesting cover may be 2006's rendition by The Trekky Yuletide Orchestra.
The song has also crossed the continent into the British lexicon. Parts of the songs are creatively used in a British documentary about the War on Terrorism.
"Baby It's Cold Outside" is often used to emphasis the coming of Winter. This explains the song's use in movies like Elf. It is also performed during Christmas specials.