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

George Harrison

George HarrisonFact or Fiction

Did Eric Clapton really steal George's wife? What's the George Harrison-Monty Python connection? Set the record straight with our Fact or Fiction quiz.

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.

Melanie

MelanieSongwriter Interviews

The singer-songwriter Melanie talks about her spiritual awakening at Woodstock, "Brand New Key," and why songwriting is an art, not a craft.

Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes

Chris Robinson of The Black CrowesSongwriter Interviews

"Great songwriters don't necessarily have hit songs," says Chris. He's written a bunch, but his fans are more interested in the intricate jams.

Commercials

CommercialsFact or Fiction

Was "Ring Of Fire" really used to sell hemorrhoid cream?

AC/DC

AC/DCFact or Fiction

Does Angus really drink himself silly? Did their name come from a sewing machine? See if you can spot the real stories about AC/DC.