"You're So Cold" is the sixth track from Mariah's sophomore album "Emotions." It was released on September 17, 1991 through Columbia Records. The song is written and produced by Mariah and C&C Music Factory (David Cole and Robert Clivillés).
Background and Composition[]
"You're So Cold" is often compared to the song "Someday" being that both songs talk about a heartless lover and because of melodic similarities. The song starts off with the piano playing in the background and Mariah singing. The first minute of the song included low and high notes. According to YouTube, Mariah's range during the first minute was in the fourth octave.[1]
| “ | You tear me apart
You're like a devil in (You're like a devil in) disguise |
” |
– You're So Cold - Lyrics via Genius | ||
"You're So Cold" is a song about a relationship with a heartless and cruel partner. The lyrics express confusion and frustration about the partner's behavior, as they cheat and lie, keep the singer waiting, and never seem to care about their feelings. Despite knowing that the partner will never change and is no good for them, the singer finds themselves hopelessly in love and unable to break away. The partner is described as being so cold, ice-cold, and wicked to the bone, with a kiss like fire but a heart that is stone-cold. The overall tone of the song is one of sadness and longing for something that can never be.
According to sources, "You're So Cold" was considered as a first single from the album "Emotions" before the title track was eventually chosen.[2]
Critical reception[]
In his book Chris Nickson states that “You’re So Cold” seemed to come across as four parts Emotions (the group) and one part Paula Abdul, the dancer-turned singer who had some success before abruptly vanishing from the music scene. From a grandiose piano-and-vocal introduction, the song sailed into the chorus, driven throughout by David Cole’s house-y piano work, the bubbly, snaking rhythm belying the angry lyrics, the upbeat tone of voice. Once more, this didn’t quite seem like a nineties song, but rather like something that wouldn’t have been out of place in the early disco era, and certainly a pleasant relief from the bass-heavy hip-hop that was filling the radio. The first song that Mariah and David penned together, “You’re So Cold” had been considered as the album’s lead single, but was eventually dropped in favor of “Emotions” and remained just an album track.[3]
Lyrics[]
Lord only knows
Why I love you so
You're a heartless man
I don't understand
Why you gotta be
Why do you need to be so cold?
[Chorus]
So cold, how can you be
So cold, so cruel to me?
Ice cold, don't even feel
Your kiss is like fire
But deep down inside you're so cold
[Verse 1]
You play games with my mind
Cheat and lie time after time
And I know you'll never change
But I just can't break away
[Pre-Chorus]
I don't know why
I let you treat me the way you do
You're just no good for me
I wish I never fell for you
You are
[Chorus]
So cold, how can you be (Oh, baby)
So cold, so cruel to me?
Ice cold, don't even feel
Your kiss is like fire
But deep down inside you're so cold, so cold
[Verse 2]
So many times
You keep me waiting around endlessly
You just laugh as I drown in despair
Never a worry, never a care
[Pre-Chorus]
I don't know why
I let you hurt me the way you do
You've got a spell on me
I'm hopelessly in love with you
You are
[Chorus]
So cold, how can you be (How can you be?)
So cold, so cruel to me?
Ice cold, don't even feel
Your kiss is like fire
But deep down inside you're so cold
So cold, how can you be (How can you be so cold?)
So cold, so cruel to me?
Ice cold, don't even feel
Your kiss is on fire
But deep down inside you're so cold
[Bridge]
Made of stone
Oh, you're wicked to the bone
I give you my heart
You tear me apart
You're like a devil in (You're like a devil in) disguise
So cold
[Chorus]
So cold (How can you be?) how can you be (How can you be?)
So cold (I can't take it no more), so cruel to me?
Ice cold (No more), don't even feel
(I can't wait another day)
So cold, how can you be
So cold, so cruel to me?
(Baby, you're heartless)
Ice cold (So cold), don't even feel
Your kiss is like fire
But deep down inside you're so cold
So cold, ice cold (Oh, yeah)
Your kiss is like fire
Trivia[]
- This song includes whistle notes
- Mariah range in the first minute (intro) is C3/C#3-F5/F#5-C7 or 4 octaves. (according to YouTube comments)[1]
- This songs involves low notes
- This song is written and produced by Mariah
- In 2020, Mariah stated that she doesn't like the song anymore.[4]
References[]
| Emotions | |
|---|---|
| September 17, 1991 • 46:58 • Columbia Records | |
| Songs | |
| Released | Emotions • And You Don't Remember • Can't Let Go • Make It Happen • If It's Over • You're So Cold • So Blessed • To Be Around You • Till the End of Time • The Wind |
| Scrapped | Can You Hear Me |
| Artists | |
| Mariah Carey | |