The band was founded by Randy Owen (lead vocals, rhythm guitar) and his cousin Teddy Gentry (bass, backing vocals). They were soon joined by another cousin, Jeff Cook (lead guitar, fiddle, and keyboards). First operating under the name Wild Country, the group toured the Southeast bar circuit in the early 1970s, and began writing original songs. They changed their name to Alabama in 1977 and following the chart success of two singles, were approached by RCA Nashville for a record deal.
Alabama's biggest success came in the 1980s, where the band had over 27 #1 hits, seven multi-platinum albums and received numerous awards. Alabama's first single on RCA Records, "Tennessee River", began a streak of 21 #1 singles, including "Love in the First Degree" (1981), "Mountain Music" (1982), "Dixieland Delight" (1983), "If You're Gonna Play in Texas (You Gotta Have a Fiddle in the Band)" (1984) and "Song of the South" (1988). The band's popularity waned slightly in the 1990s although they continued to produce hit singles and multi-platinum album sales. Alabama disbanded in 2004 following a farewell tour and two albums of inspirational music but reunited in 2010 and have continued to record and tour worldwide.
Owen was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2010, but he was later given a clean bill of health, which led to the band's reunion, without Herndon. Following a series of tornadoes destroying homes and businesses throughout their state in 2011, Alabama assembled a benefit concert in Birmingham, called Bama Rising. Featuring the band's first set since 2004, alongside Luke Bryan, Sheryl Crow and Brad Paisley, the concert raised $2.1 million. "I guess we realized that maybe we missed the playing ... and five or six years had gone by and we were like, 'Maybe that wasn't as bad as we remember it being,'" said Gentry. In celebration of the group's 40th anniversary, Alabama resumed touring in 2013 for the Back to the Bowery tour, referencing the Myrtle Beach club where they first became professional musicians. They also undertook a short cruise, The Alabama & Friends Festival at Sea, which left for the Bahamas on Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Pearl ship. In addition, the band released Alabama & Friends, a tribute album encompassing covers from newer artists such as Jason Aldean and Florida Georgia Line, in addition to two new tracks by Alabama.
The band released their first new studio album in 14 years, Southern Drawl, on September 18, 2015, via BMG Chrysalis. In 2016, Alabama was selected as one of 30 artists to perform on "Forever Country", a mash-up track of "Take Me Home, Country Roads", "On the Road Again", and "I Will Always Love You" that celebrates 50 years of the CMA Awards.
In April 2017, guitarist Jeff Cook announced in a video that he would reduce the number of shows for which he would be in attendance while the band was on tour, due to his struggle with Parkinson's. He had been diagnosed four years prior, and this was his first public announcement about his condition.
In August 2021, the band sold its interest in its recorded music rights catalog to Reservoir Media. Cook died from complications of Parkinson's disease on November 7, 2022.
The band's blend of traditional country music and Southern rock combined with elements of bluegrass, folk, gospel and pop music gave it a crossover appeal that helped lead to their success. They also toured extensively and incorporated production elements such as lighting and "sets" inspired by rock concerts into their shows.
Alabama was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in 2019 and were awarded with the first ever Life Time Achievement Award from this institution.
The members of Alabama are:
- Randy Owen (lead vocals and rhythm guitar)
- Teddy Gentry (bass guitar and backing vocals)
Santa Claus
Alabama Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stopped off at the North Pole to spend a holiday
I called on dear old Santa Claus
To see what I could see
He took me to his workshop
And told his plans to me, so
[Chorus]
Better not pout, I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is comin' to town
He's making a list and checking it twice
Gonna find out who's naughty and nice
Santa Claus is comin' to town
He sees you when you're sleepin'
He knows when you're a wake
He knows if you've been bad or good
So be good for goodness sake
Oh! You better watch out, you better not cry
Better not pout, I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is comin' to town
With little tin horns and little toy drums
Rooty toot toots and rummy tum tums
Santa Claus is comin' to town
And curly head dolls that toddle and coo
Elephants, boats, and kiddie cars too
Santa Claus is comin' to town
Then kids in Girl and Boy land will have a jubilee
They're gonna build a Toyland all around the Christmas tree
So! You better watch out, you better not cry
Better not pout, I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is comin' to town
Now Santa is a busy man, He has no time to play
He's got millions of stockings to fill on Christmas day
You'd better write your letter now
And mail it right away
Because he's getting ready
His reindeer's and his sleigh. So
[Chorus]
With little tin horns and little toy drums
Rooty toot toots and rummy tum tums
Santa Claus is comin' to town
And curly head dolls that toddle and coo
Elephants, boats, and kiddie cars too
Santa Claus is comin' to town
Then kids in Girl and Boy land will have a jubilee
They're gonna build a Toyland all around the Christmas tree
So! You better watch out, you better not cry
Better not pout, I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is comin' to town
The song “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” by Alabama describes the singer's trip through the Milky Way, stopping by the North Pole to visit Santa Claus in his workshop. Santa tells the singer his plans and encourages him to be good for goodness' sake. The lyrics then transition into the well-known refrain warning children to behave because Santa Claus is coming to town.
The song goes on to describe the toys that Santa will bring, including little tin horns, toy drums, and curly-headed dolls that toddle and coo. Children in “Girl and Boy land” will have a jubilee and build a Toyland around the Christmas tree. The song ends with a reminder to write a letter to Santa and mail it right away because he has millions of stockings to fill on Christmas day.
Line by Line Meaning
I just came back from a lovely trip along the Milky Way
I returned from a celestial voyage through the heavens
Stopped off at the North Pole to spend a holiday
I took a detour to the Arctic region to have a vacation
I called on dear old Santa Claus
I paid a visit to the beloved elderly figure called Santa Claus
To see what I could see
To observe and perceive my surroundings
He took me to his workshop
He escorted me to his workplace
And told his plans to me, so
He disclosed his intentions and strategies to me
You better watch out, you better not cry
Be cautious and refrain from weeping
Better not pout, I'm telling you why
Do not sulk, and the reason is
Santa Claus is comin' to town
The Christmas patron is arriving in the neighborhood
He's making a list and checking it twice
He's cataloging and verifying a roster
Gonna find out who's naughty and nice
He's intending to figure out who's been mischievous and who's been well-behaved
He sees you when you're sleepin'
He observes you while you're slumbering
He knows when you're awake
He's aware of when you're alert
He knows if you've been bad or good
He's cognizant of whether you've been wicked or virtuous
So be good for goodness sake
Therefore, strive to conduct yourself in a noble manner
With little tin horns and little toy drums
Including diminutive musical instruments such as horns and drums crafted from tin
Rooty toot toots and rummy tum tums
Producing upbeat and rhythmic sounds sure to delight
And curly head dolls that toddle and coo
Plus dolls with curly hair that waddle and make sounds of endearment
Elephants, boats, and kiddie cars too
Moreover, toys like toy elephants, boats, and toy automobiles for children to play with
Then kids in Girl and Boy land will have a jubilee
As a result, youngsters residing in places specifically designated for boys and girls will experience a carnival-like celebration
They're gonna build a Toyland all around the Christmas tree
They will construct a playground full of toys around the Christmas tree as a result of this joyful occasion
Now Santa is a busy man, He has no time to play
Santa's an industrious person, and he doesn't have time for leisure activities
He's got millions of stockings to fill on Christmas day
He's responsible for stuffing millions of stockings with presents on Christmas Day
You'd better write your letter now
It's advisable to draft your message presently
And mail it right away
And then send it with haste
Because he's getting ready
Seeing as he's prepping for his yearly visit
His reindeer's and his sleigh. So
And likewise, his reindeer and sleigh are on standby. Consequently,
Lyrics © Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Coots, Haven Gillespie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kimberly Bittner
on Carolina Mountain Dewe
Why would you put this one to show, when I made a video to it on u-tube.. This dosen't tell the story to the song I have loved for over 30 tears..