Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

Classic Christmas Carol Lyrics

Oh! You better watch out,
You better not cry,
You better not pout,
I'm telling you why:

Santa Claus is coming to town!

He's making a list,
He's checking it twice,
He's gonna find out
who's naughty or nice.

Santa Claus is coming to town!

He sees you when you're sleeping,
He knows when you're awake.
He knows when you've been bad or good,
So be good for goodness sake!

So...You better watch out,
You better not cry
You better not pout,
I'm telling you why.

Santa Claus is coming to town.

Little tin horns,
Little toy drums.
Rudy-toot-toot
and rummy tum tums.

Santa Claus is coming to town.

Little toy dolls
that cuddle and coo,
Elephants, boats
and Kiddie cars too.

Santa Claus is coming to town.

The kids in Girl and Boy Land
will have a jubilee.
They're gonna build a toyland town
all around the Christmas tree.

Oh....You better watch out,
You better not cry.
You better not pout,
I'm telling you why.

Santa Claus is comin'
Santa Claus is comin'
Santa Claus is comin'
To town.

History of this Immortal Christmas Carol

Santa Claus Is Coming to Town is a bright, upbeat Christmas classic that has delighted children and grown ups since its debut in 1934. The song was written by John Frederick Coots and Haven Gillespie, who managed to capture the mix of excitement and nervous anticipation that surrounds Santa's yearly visit. The tune premiered on a live radio broadcast by Eddie Cantor, and within twenty four hours sheet music sales had soared to record breaking levels. It was an instant hit.

The song's playful warnings about Santa keeping an eye on who is naughty or nice became a memorable part of American Christmas culture. Its jaunty melody and simple rhyme scheme make it especially easy for young singers to pick up, which is one reason it has become a staple in school concerts and family celebrations.

Over the decades, artists from Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire to Bruce Springsteen have recorded the song, each bringing a different flavor to its cheerful message. The mix of swing, jazz, pop, and rock versions has kept it fresh while preserving its unmistakable personality.

At its core, Santa Claus Is Coming to Town is a celebration of childhood anticipation. It bottles up that fizzy feeling of waiting for Christmas morning and delivers it with a grin. No wonder it remains one of the most recognizable and beloved holiday songs around the world.

Animated Video Featuring the Vocals of Fred Astaire

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