We rank 20 Versions of ‘Baby It’s Cold Outside’

6. Ray Charles & Betty Carter

Ray Charles and Betty Carter singing “Baby It’s Cold Outside” is all you can want from a duet. The two musical legends lend their pipes for this song, slowing things down and adding a big band instruments. It’s a version that many people rank as their favorite because it has such a classic sound.

The song opens with raucous horns. They set the tone, right away you’re ready to groove. But then the track slows down, it tricks you. The vocals come in softer and more languid than you imagined. It’s magical the way it lulls you, taking you back in time. You can almost picture slow dancing to this song at a USO gala. Then the singing stops and the music picks back up near the middle giving the song a surprising punch.

Charles’ voice is strong and clear. He growls at the ending of some of the lines as if he can’t contain himself. He really wants her to stay. There’s an almost sexual energy there hidden in the mellow sound.

Carter is a powerhouse. She plays up her side in a such a way that you can almost imagine her rolling her eyes at Charles’ attempts. She seems almost tired of having this argument, but she has to keep it up for his sake because it’s a fun little bit the two of them do. “Baby It’s Cold Outside” is a great showcase for both of their vocals and the full range of their performing abilities.