R&B Singer | 1925 - 2007 Deep-throated singer who was last… Read Full Bio ↴Bill Pinkney
R&B Singer | 1925 - 2007 Deep-throated singer who was last surviving member of The Drifters
Bill Pinkney who died on 4 July, 2007, aged 81 was the last surviving member of the legendary rhythm and blues band The Drifters.
Marketed as a beach music group whose music was mixture of soul and American doo wop R&B, The Drifters were formed by Clyde McPhatter in 1953 and based their act around vocal harmonies.
Bill Pinkney had been due to stage a Drifters concert as part of the 4 July Independence Day celebrations when he was found dead in his Daytona Beach hotel room.
His distinctive baritone can be heard on such classics as "Up on the Roof" and "Under the Boardwalk." Along with the other members of the original Drifters, Bill Pinkney was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.
William Pinkney was born on 15 August, 1925, in Sumter, South Carolina. Before joining The Drifters, he fought in the Second World War and was awarded four bronze service stars for his efforts at Normandy, Bastone, Saint Lo and Rhine River.
Also a talented sportsman, Mr Pinkney was a pitcher for the New York Blue Sox, baseball team. As a member of the African American baseball league the team were unable to compete at a high level due to restrictions barring African Americans from appearing in major league games.
He started his professional music career in 1953, after he was approached by Clyde McPhatter, an influential singer who had had relative success with ‘Billy Ward and the Dominoes’.
The Drifters were soon in business and Mr Pinkney was happy adding vocal support. But after a first hit single with ‘Money and Honey’ tragedy struck the group.
Bass player Willie Ferbie was involved in an accident and guitarist Walter Adams died before Mr Pinkney and his group released their first album.
In 1954 with Mr Pinkney now on bass, the group released their biggest selling single of all time - ‘White Christmas’. This handed them a top 5 U.S hit although unrest in the group had begun to surface.
Mr Pinkney was unimpressed with the amount of money the group were being paid despite their obvious success in the mid-50s. His outspoken actions eventually cost him his role in the group when he was fired by manager George Treadwell in 1958.
On leaving The Drifters, he quickly formed The Original Drifters with ex band members who had also been sacked by Mr Treadwell. His new group held tours and released a couple of tunes before splitting in 1968.
A resurrection of the Original Drifters occurred when Mr Pinkney drafted in the help of an existing 60s group ‘The Tears’ and recruited the four members to his band. When the foursome broke away, however, and toured as the Original Drifters, Mr Pinkney felt betrayed and successfully sued them over the use of the name.
Continuing to tour throughout the 70s and 80s, he was an advocate of keeping the legacy of the Drifters alive.
He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988 beside such acts as The Beatles and Bob Dylan and as a best selling artist received the Order of the Palmetto – a highly regarded civilian honour bestowed upon him by the state of South Carolina.
Awarded an honorary doctorate of Fine Music by the Coastal Carolina University in 2002 he was still performing publicly when he died
Santa Claus
Bill Pinkney & The Original Drifters 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 lyrics to "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" by Bill Pinkney & The Original Drifters tell the story of someone who has just returned from a journey through the Milky Way and stops by the North Pole to spend a holiday. Upon arrival, they visit Santa Claus and are taken to his workshop. Santa Claus reveals his plans to them and warns them to be on their best behavior because he keeps tabs on who is naughty and nice. The chorus emphasizes the importance of being good, as Santa Claus is coming to town.
The second verse describes the various toys and gifts that Santa Claus will bring, such as little tin horns, little toy drums, rooty toot toots, and rummy tum tums. The lyrics depict a joyful scene where children in Girl and Boy land will have a jubilee and build a Toyland around the Christmas tree. The final verse highlights Santa Claus's busy schedule and the millions of stockings he has to fill on Christmas Day. The lyrics encourage the listener to write their letter to Santa Claus and mail it right away to ensure their wishes are considered.
Overall, the song captures the excitement and anticipation surrounding the arrival of Santa Claus and the joyous celebration of Christmas.
Line by Line Meaning
I just came back from a lovely trip along the Milky Way
I recently returned from an enjoyable journey through the vast expanse of the Milky Way galaxy.
Stopped off at the North Pole to spend a holiday
I made a brief stop at the North Pole to celebrate and enjoy a vacation.
I called on dear old Santa Claus
I visited the beloved figure of Santa Claus, who is revered by many.
To see what I could see
My purpose was to observe and discover whatever was there to be seen.
He took me to his workshop
He graciously invited me into his workshop, where he creates and prepares gifts for the holiday season.
And told his plans to me, so
He then revealed and shared with me his intentions and strategies.
You better watch out, you better not cry
It is essential that you remain vigilant and refrain from shedding tears.
Better not pout, I'm telling you why
It's vital that you avoid sulking, and I'll explain the reason behind it.
Santa Claus is comin' to town
The legendary Santa Claus is making his way to town, bringing joy and presents.
He's making a list and checking it twice
He diligently compiles a list and meticulously verifies its accuracy twice.
Gonna find out who's naughty and nice
He aims to discern the behavior of individuals, distinguishing those who have been mischievous from those who have been virtuous.
He sees you when you're sleepin'
He possesses the ability to observe you while you are peacefully sleeping.
He knows when you're awake
He possesses knowledge and awareness of when you are conscious and alert.
He knows if you've been bad or good
He is aware of whether you have been engaging in wrongdoing or exhibiting commendable behavior.
So be good for goodness sake
Therefore, be virtuous and righteous solely for the sake of being good.
With little tin horns and little toy drums
Accompanied by small horns made of tin and miniature drums for amusement.
Rooty toot toots and rummy tum tums
These instruments produce playful and cheerful sounds, adding to the joyous atmosphere.
And curly head dolls that toddle and coo
Additionally, there are dolls with curly hair that wobble and make gentle cooing sounds.
Elephants, boats, and kiddie cars too
Furthermore, there are toy elephants, boats, and small cars designed for children.
Then kids in Girl and Boy land will have a jubilee
Consequently, the children residing in a fantastical land of both girls and boys will experience an exuberant celebration.
They're gonna build a Toyland all around the Christmas tree
They intend to construct a marvelous Toyland encircling the festive Christmas tree.
Now Santa is a busy man, He has no time to play
Currently, Santa is occupied with numerous tasks and lacks leisure time for recreational activities.
He's got millions of stockings to fill on Christmas day
His responsibility involves filling an immense quantity of stockings on the day of Christmas.
You'd better write your letter now
It would be advantageous for you to compose your letter promptly.
And mail it right away
Immediately dispatch it through the postal system to ensure its timely delivery.
Because he's getting ready
This is because he is making necessary preparations.
His reindeer's and his sleigh. So
His reindeer and sled are being prepared for the upcoming journey. Therefore,
The legendary Santa Claus is making his way to town, bringing joy and presents
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Coots, Haven Gillespie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind