Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town

"Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town"[1] is a Christmas song, written by J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie. The earliest known recorded version of the song was by banjoist Harry Reser and his band on October 24, 1934. It was then sung on Eddie Cantor's radio show in November 1934. This version became an instant hit with orders for 500,000 copies of sheet music and more than 30,000 records sold within 24 hours.[2][3] The version for Bluebird Records by George Hall and His Orchestra (vocal by Sonny Schuyler) was very popular in 1934 and reached the various charts of the day.[4] The song has been recorded by over 200 artists, including Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters, The Crystals, Mariah Carey, Neil Diamond, Bruce Springsteen, Frank Sinatra, Bill Evans, Chris Isaak, The Temptations, Michael Bublé, and The Jackson 5.[5]

For the television special, see Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town (film).

"Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town"
One of covers for the 1934 sheet music
Song
Published1934 by Leo Feist, Inc.
Songwriter(s)J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie

Melody and lyrics

Haven Gillespie's lyrics begin "You better watch out, better not cry / You better not cry, I'm telling you why / Santa Claus is coming to town".

Cantor's original performance, broadcast at the height of the Great Depression, included verses not in the standard version of the song, encouraging listeners to be charitable and help the less fortunate at Christmas.[6]

Recordings

The earliest known recorded version of the song was by banjoist Harry Reser and his band on October 24, 1934 (Decca 264A)[7] featuring Tom Stacks on vocal, the version shown in the Variety charts of December 1934. The song was a sheet music hit, reaching number 1. The song was also recorded for Victor Records (catalog No. 25145A) on September 26, 1935 by Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra with vocals by Cliff Weston and Edythe Wright.[8]

The song is a traditional Christmas standard and has been covered by numerous recording artists. Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters reached the Billboard charts briefly in 1947[9] with it.

1960s

In 1962, the Four Seasons version charted at number 23 on Billboard.[10] In 1963, producer Phil Spector included a version of the song on his rock album A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector performed by The Crystals.[11] In 1965, The Supremes' version charted at number 4 in Singapore.[12]

1970s to 1990s

In 1970, Rankin-Bass produced Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town, an hour-long animated TV film based on the song, with Fred Astaire narrating the origin of Santa Claus. The same year, The Jackson 5 included the song on their best-selling album Jackson 5 Christmas Album. The Jackson 5 version would chart 50 years later on Billboard 100 at #46. In 1971, The Partridge Family included the song on A Partridge Family Christmas Card. An eccentric 1972 live recording by Joseph Spence has been described as "a performance for the ages" by music critic Peter Margasak.[13][14] The Carpenters released the song as a single in 1974.

A rock version by Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band was recorded on December 12, 1975 at C. W. Post College in Brookville, New York, by Record Plant engineers Jimmy Iovine and Thom Panunzio.[15][16] This version borrows the chorus refrain from the 1963 recording by The Crystals.[17] It was released first in 1982 as part of the Sesame Street compilation album In Harmony 2, and again in 1985 as a B-side to "My Hometown", a single from the Born in the U.S.A. album.[18] Springsteen's rendition of the song has received radio airplay perennially at Christmastime for years; it appeared on Billboard magazine's Hot Singles Recurrents chart each year from 2002 to 2009 due to seasonal air play. Live performances of the song often saw the band encouraging the audience to sing some of the lyrics with—or in place of—the band's vocalists (usually the line "you'd better be good for goodness sake", and occasionally the key line "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" as well). Sometimes, concert crowds would sing along with the entire song, and the band, who were known to encourage this behavior for the song, would do nothing to dissuade those audiences from doing so, instead welcoming the crowds' enthusiasm. This version remains a Springsteen concert favorite during the months of November and December (often concluding the show), and the band is among the few that keep it in their roster of songs during the holidays. In The Kidsongs 1992 video We Wish You A Merry Christmas where Santa Claus and The Kidsonga Kids went for a sleigh ride, some of the lyrics had to be replaced by a repeat of the first secction to make it very kid friendly.

Other well-known versions of this song include Mariah Carey from the album Merry Christmas (1994) and the Pointer Sisters version off the album A Very Special Christmas, also borrowing from the Crystal's arrangement.[19] Andy Williams performed the song on his album I Still Believe in Santa Claus, which was released on October 1, 1990.[20]

2000 and after

Luis Miguel recorded the song in Spanish as "Santa Claus Llegó a La Ciudad" for his Christmas album Navidades (2006).[21] His version of the song peaked at number 26 on the Billboard Latin Pop Songs chart.[22]

The song has also been recorded in A capella versions. First by Straight No Chaser on their 2008 album Holiday Spirits, and later by Pentatonix on their 2014 album That's Christmas to Me.[23]

In October 2015, EMI Music Publishing lost the rights to J. Fred Coot's stake in the song. EMI had earned the rights to the song via Leo Feist's publishing company in the 1980s.[24]

In December 2016, DNCE covered it with many pop artists who were popular at the time.

In September 2017, the family of Haven Gillespie sued Memory Lane Music Group for $700,000, asking for an 85% stake in "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town".[25]

Canadian singer Michael Bublé's version was released on October 24, 2011, as the second track on his Christmas album. His version has gained a lot of success, being the most-streamed cover of the song on Spotify, with over 104 million streams, as of January 23, 2019.

Charts

The Supremes version
Chart (1966) Peak
position
Malaysia (Billboard)[26] 2
Singapore (Billboard)[26] 1

The Jackson 5 version
Chart (2011–21) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[27] 30
Billboard Global 200[28] 44
Greece International Digital Singles (IFPI)[29] 76
Hungary (Stream Top 40)[30] 33
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[31] 27
Portugal (AFP)[32] 99
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[33] 86
UK Singles (OCC)[34] 30
US Billboard Hot 100[35] 46
US Holiday 100 (Billboard)[36] 24

Glee Cast version
Chart (2011–2012) Peak
position
US Holiday Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[37] 29

Michael Bublé version
Chart (2011–2019) Peak
position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[38] 71
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[39] 47
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[40] 20
France (SNEP)[41] 197
Germany (Official German Charts)[42] 66
Greece International Digital Singles (IFPI)[43] 93
Hungary (Stream Top 40)[44] 14
Italy (FIMI)[45] 11
Latvia (LAIPA)[46] 30
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[47] 38
Portugal (AFP)[48] 43
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[49] 39
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[50] 29
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[51] 43
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[52] 43
UK Singles (OCC)[53] 77
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[54] 8
US Holiday 100 (Billboard)[55] 35

Mariah Carey version
Chart (2017-2021) Peak
position
Hungary (Single Top 40)[56] 17
South Korea (Gaon)[57] 142
US Holiday 100 (Billboard)[58] 45

Various artists version
Chart (2019) Peak
position
US Rolling Stone Top 100[59] 72

Bruce Springsteen version
Chart (2020) Peak
position
Italy (FIMI)[60] 44
Portugal (AFP)[61] 72

Certifications and sales

The Jackson 5 version
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[62] Gold 400,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Michael Bublé version
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Denmark (IFPI Denmark)[63] Gold 45,000
Italy (FIMI)[64] Gold 25,000
United Kingdom (BPI)[65] Silver 200,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Bruce Springsteen version
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Italy (FIMI)[66] Gold 35,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References
  1. "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town Composed by Haven Gillespie / J. Fred Coots". AllMusic. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  2. Collins, Ace (October 5, 2010). Stories Behind the Greatest Hits of Christmas. ISBN 9780310597476. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  3. Collins, Ace (October 5, 2010). "4 Santa Claus Is Coming to Town". Stories Behind the Greatest Hits of Christmas. Zondervan. pp. 224. ISBN 978-0310327950. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  4. Whitburn, Joel (1986). Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954. Wisconsin, USA: Record Research Inc. p. 189. ISBN 0-89820-083-0.
  5. The Richest Songs in The World (Television production). BBC. 2012.
  6. Sims, Damon (December 15, 2008). "Fruits of the Great Depression: Christmas memories". cleveland.com. Archived from the original on November 6, 2020. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  7. "The Online Discographical Project". 78discography.com. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  8. "The Online Discographical Project". 78discography.com. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  9. Whitburn, Joel (1986). Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954. Wisconsin, USA: Record Research Inc. p. 113. ISBN 0-89820-083-0.
  10. "The 4 Seasons Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard Magazine. Retrieved November 21, 2019. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town / The 4 Seasons / Peaked at #23 on 12.29.1962
  11. Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits: Eighth Edition. Record Research. p. 237.
  12. "Billboard HITS OF THE WORLD". Billboard. January 1, 1965. p. 23.
  13. Margasak, Peter (December 12, 2012). "12 O'Clock Track: Joseph Spence, "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town"". Chicago Reader.
  14. "Joseph Spence - Living On The Hallelujah Side". Discogs. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
  15. Springsteen, Bruce. "Santa Claus Is Comin to Town". 45cat.com. Columbia. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
  16. Bruce Springsteen brought 'Santa' to C.W. Post 45 years ago
  17. Times, Music (December 20, 2013). "12 Days of Christmas: 4 Best Versions of 'Santa Claus Is Coming To Town'".
  18. "The Greatest Rock Roll Christmas Songs Pictures - Bruce Springsteen, 'Santa Claus Is Coming To Town'". Rolling Stone. December 19, 2007. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
  19. Trust, Gary (April 2, 2013). "Ask Billboard: Belinda's Back, JT Too, Mariah Carey's Album Sales & More". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
  20. Owings, Lisa (August 15, 2016). Youtube. ISBN 9781680781953. OCLC 944088090.
  21. "Navidades - Luis Miguel: Overview". AllMusic / Rovi. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  22. "Navidades - Luis Miguel: Awards". AllMusic / Rovi. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  23. "Pentatonix's 10 Best Christmas Songs". Billboard. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
  24. "EMI loses Santa Claus Is Coming To Town in termination rights case - Complete Music Update".
  25. "New lawsuit filed over Santa Claus Is Coming To Town royalties - Complete Music Update".
  26. "Billboard HITS OF THE WORLD". Billboard. January 15, 1966. p. 24.
  27. "Australian-charts.com – Jackson 5 – Santa Claus Is Coming to Town". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  28. "The Jacksons Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  29. "Official IFPI Charts – Digital Singles Chart (International) – Week: 52/2019". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on January 9, 2020. Retrieved January 14, 2019.
  30. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Stream Top 40 slágerlista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  31. "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  32. "Portuguesecharts.com – Jackson 5 – Santa Claus Is Coming to Town". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved January 5, 2020.
  33. "Swedishcharts.com – Jackson 5 – Santa Claus Is Coming to Town". Singles Top 100. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  34. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  35. "The Jacksons Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  36. "The Jacksons Chart History (Holiday 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  37. "Glee Cast Chart History (Holiday Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved November 3, 2020.
  38. "Austriancharts.at – Michael Bublé – Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  39. "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 201851 into search. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  40. "Michael Bublé: Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  41. "Top Singles (téléchargement + streaming)". Syndicat National de l'édition Phonographique. December 28, 2018. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  42. "Offiziellecharts.de – Michael Bublé – Santa Claus Is Coming To Town". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  43. "Official IFPI Charts – Digital Singles Chart (International) – Week: 52/2018". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on January 14, 2019. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  44. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Stream Top 40 slágerlista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  45. "Top Singoli – Classifica settimanale WK 52" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  46. "Mūzikas patēriņa tops gadu mijā" (in Latvian). LAIPA. Archived from the original on October 10, 2019. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  47. "Dutchcharts.nl – Michael Bublé – Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
  48. "Portuguesecharts.com – Michael Bublé – Santa Claus Is Coming To Town". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  49. "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 201851 into search. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  50. "Spanishcharts.com – Michael Bublé – Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved June 9, 2019.
  51. "Swedishcharts.com – Michael Bublé – Santa Claus Is Coming To Town". Singles Top 100. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  52. "Swisscharts.com – Michael Bublé – Santa Claus Is Coming To Town". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  53. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  54. "Michael Buble Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  55. "Michael Buble Chart History (Holiday 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  56. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  57. "2020년 52주차 Digital Chart" (in Korean). Gaon. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  58. "Mariah Carey Chart History (Holiday 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  59. "Top 100 Songs". Rolling Stone. December 20, 2019. Retrieved December 31, 2019.
  60. "Top Singoli - Classifica settimanale WK 52 (dal 18.12.2020 al 24.12.2020)" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  61. "Portuguesecharts.com – Bruce Springsteen – Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
  62. "British single certifications – Michael Jackson & Jackson Five – Santa Claus Is Coming to Town". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  63. "Danish single certifications – Michael Buble – Santa Claus Is Coming to Town". IFPI Denmark. Retrieved January 23, 2019. Scroll through the page-list below until year 2019 to obtain certification.
  64. "Italian single certifications – Michael Buble – Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved January 23, 2019. Select "2017" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli online" under "Sezione".
  65. "British single certifications – Michael Buble – Santa Claus Is Coming To Town". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved January 23, 2019. Select singles in the Format field. Select Silver in the Certification field. Type Santa Claus Is Coming To Town in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  66. "Italian single certifications – Bruce Springsteen – Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved January 5, 2021. Select "2020" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli online" under "Sezione".
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.