A member of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra during her youth, Winehouse signed to Simon Fuller's 19 Management in 2002 and soon recorded a number of songs before signing a publishing deal with EMI. She also formed a working relationship with producer Salaam Remi through these record publishers. Winehouse's debut album, Frank, was released in 2003. Many of the album's songs were influenced by jazz and, apart from two covers, were co-written by Winehouse. Frank was a critical success in the UK and was nominated for the Mercury Prize. The song "Stronger Than Me" won her the Ivor Novello Award for Best Contemporary Song from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors.
Winehouse released her follow-up album, Back to Black, in 2006, which went on to become an international success and one of the best-selling albums in UK history. At the 2007 Brit Awards it was nominated for British Album of the Year, and she received the award for British Female Solo Artist. The song "Rehab" won her a second Ivor Novello Award. At the 50th Grammy Awards in 2008, she won five awards, tying the then record for the most wins by a female artist in a single night and becoming the first British woman to win five Grammys, including three of the General Field "Big Four" Grammy Awards: Best New Artist, Record of the Year and Song of the Year (for "Rehab"), as well as Best Pop Vocal Album.
Winehouse was plagued by drug and alcohol addiction. She died of alcohol poisoning on 23 July 2011, at the age of 27. After her death, Back to Black temporarily became the UK's best-selling album of the 21st century. VH1 ranked Winehouse 26th on their list of the 100 Greatest Women in Music.
I Saw Mummy Kissing Santa Claus
Amy Winehouse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Underneath the mistletoe last night
She didn't hear me creep
Down the stairs to have a peep
She thought that I was tucked up
In my bedroom fast asleep
Then I saw mommy tickle Santa Claus
Oh, what a laugh it would have been
If Daddy would have only seen
Mommy kissing Santa Claus last night
Then I saw mommy tickle Santa Claus
Underneath his beard so snowy white
Oh, what a laugh it would have been
If Daddy had only seen
Mommy kissing Santa Claus last night
Oh, my Mommy kissing Santa Claus last night
Oh, my Mommy kissing Santa Claus last night
In this classic Christmas song, the singer is a young child who sees their mother kissing Santa Claus beneath the mistletoe. The child sneaks down the stairs to watch them and has a sense of excitement, joy, and wonder about the magical moment that is unfolding before their very eyes. The mother is completely unaware of her child's presence and the child can't resist the temptation to watch the scene. The song then goes on to describe how the mother tickles Santa Claus underneath his snowy beard, an act that leads to eye-watering laughter, which the child finds amazing. They then imagine how funny it would be if their father had seen the whole scene.
The song makes use of a child narrator, who represents the innocence and joy of Christmas. It's a reminder to hold on to the playful, magical spirit of Christmas and to have some fun during the festive season. Additionally, the song can also be seen as a commentary on the nature of grown-ups and their tendency to get caught up in the trappings of adulthood, like marriage and parenting, and forget to enjoy the moment. In this sense, the song reminds us that amidst the hecticness of the holiday season, it's important to take a moment to pause and appreciate the joy and magic of the season.
Overall, "I Saw Mummy Kissing Santa Claus" is a lighthearted, playful Christmas song that captures the magic and wonder of the holiday season. It reminds us to cherish the moments of joy and wonder that the season brings and to never lose sight of the childlike spirit that makes the holidays so special.
Line by Line Meaning
I saw mommy kissing Santa Claus
I witnessed my mother engaging in a physical act of affection with the mythical figure of Santa Claus.
Underneath the mistletoe last night
This occurred beneath a symbolic holiday decoration that traditionally invites those beneath it to kiss.
She didn't hear me creep
My mother was not aware of my presence, as I attempted to stealthily observe her actions.
Down the stairs to have a peep
I snuck downstairs in order to take a quick look at what was going on.
She thought that I was tucked up
My mother believed that I was safely in my bedroom, asleep.
In my bedroom fast asleep
I was meant to be in my bedroom, and my mother believed I was asleep there.
Then I saw mommy tickle Santa Claus
After observing the kissing, I watched as my mother playfully interacted with Santa Claus.
Underneath his snowy beard so white
This interaction involved Santa's physical features, particularly his well-known beard.
Oh, what a laugh it would have been
I found the situation humorous, imagining what the reaction of my father would be if he had seen what I had just witnessed.
If Daddy would have only seen
I wished that my father could have been there to witness the interaction as well.
Oh, my Mommy kissing Santa Claus last night
The song repeats the original observation and reveals the lingering memory of this surprising and peculiar event.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Tommie Connor
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind