She's So Cold

Album: Willie Nile (1980)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Not be confused with the Rolling Stones song of the same name, this Chuck Berry-influenced tune about an ice queen who freezes out Willie Nile appeared on his self-titled debut album in 1980.
  • Nile was on tour with The Who when he learned the Stones came out with a song that sounded a lot like his on their Emotional Rescue album. When asked about the similarity in a 1983 interview with The Face, Mick Jagger denied any hints of plagiarism. "I know Willie Nile, he's a right little stirrer," he claimed. "He's a sort of Latin kind of singer - no it's not true, he'd be suing me if it was."

    According to Nile, a lot of folks who were interested in being his manager did want him to go after the Stones, but he refused. "Sue the Stones! l play their songs back to back," he said in a 2021 Songfacts interview. "I love the Stones. No way am I going to be in that category of suing the Stones. Forget it! I loved the Stones. If it influenced their song, fine."

    But Nile has a cheeky sense of humor, which was on full display at a Stones show where they performed "She's So Cold." He recalled: "When the Stones played Buffalo Stadium, in front of 80,000 people or something, I took a bow [in the stands] after they played it. 'Thank you very much!' Literally I did."
  • The album was produced by Roy Halee, who frequently worked with Simon & Garfunkel. He also helmed Journey's debut album in 1975.
  • Jay Dee Daugherty, a former member of Patti Smith's band, played drums on the album.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Andrew Farriss of INXS

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.

Jethro Tull

Jethro TullFact or Fiction

Stage urinals, flute devices, and the real Aqualung in this Fact or Fiction.

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino EditionMusic Quiz

Whether he's splitting ears or burning Nazis, Quentin Tarantino uses memorable music in his films. See if you can match the song to the scene.

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)Songwriter Interviews

Mike Rutherford talks about the "Silent Running" storyline and "Land Of Confusion" in the age of Trump.

Donald Fagen

Donald FagenSongwriter Interviews

Fagen talks about how the Steely Dan songwriting strategy has changed over the years, and explains why you don't hear many covers of their songs.

Soul Train Stories with Stephen McMillian

Soul Train Stories with Stephen McMillianSong Writing

A Soul Train dancer takes us through a day on the show, and explains what you had to do to get camera time.