Meaning of “Cold as Ice” by Foreigner

To say that someone is “cold as ice”, as the vocalist is accusing the addressee of, is another way of saying that they lack the type of natural sympathy people tend to have when dealing with one another. Or put otherwise, they are “cold” or heartless towards others. 

But to note, he is more specifically accusing a romantic interest of behaving in such a manner. So of course the implication would be that, under Lou’s impression, homegirl has personally done him dirty in one way or another. And indeed, as implied in his explanation of this song, it was inspired, most simply put, by heartbreaks from days past.

As for the lyrics themselves, they aren’t overly specific. But in their terseness, they do effectively paint a picture of what can be understood as an addressee who is not taking her relationship with the vocalist seriously.  

“I’ve seen it before, it happens all the time (Ooh-ooh)
You’re closing the door, you leave the world behind
You’re digging for gold, you’re throwing away (Ah, ah)
A fortune in feelings but, some day, you’ll pay”

A more direct way of theoretically interpreting what’s being inferred here is that Gramm’s girlfriend is entertaining the practice of dumping him, instead “want(ing) paradise”, which she believes will be realized by taking on a different, let’s say richer partner. Therefore, she possesses the ‘willingness to sacrifice the love’ she already shares with the vocalist.

But as implied by Lou, this is an age-old dilemma, i.e. a woman being convinced that the grass is greener on the other side, being tempted to chase gold via romance. The problem though is that in doing so they offend the man they already have, i.e. the one that truly loves them. Or at least that’s the picture which is seemingly being painted by these lyrics.

The addressee is behaving hard-headed or, going back to the title of the song, cold-hearted in terms of taking the vocalist’s advice to chill out. But he is convinced, based on past experiences and observations, that she will eventually come to regret adopting that disposition.

Release Date of “Cold as Ice”

“Cold as Ice” was released on July 23 of 1977 as the 2nd single form Foreigner’s self-titled, debut studio album “Foreigner”. The song was officially released through Atlantic Records.

Two other songs, “Feels Like the First Time” and “Long, Long Way from Home” were also released as singles in support of the Album.

Credits

Lou Gramm and Mick Jones are credited as the composers of “Cold as Ice”. The production of the song was however entrusted to the following record producers:

• Gary Lyons
• John Sinclair