He first appeared on the local Detroit scene in 1961 fronting a three-piece band called the Decibels. After they disbanded, Seger joined the four-piece Town Criers, a four-piece band who gained a steady following covered songs like "Louie Louie".
Seger soon left to join R&B group Doug Brown & the Omens. While Brown was the primary lead vocalist for the group, Seger would take the lead on some R&B covers. It was with this group that Seger first appeared on an officially released recording, the single "TGIF" backed with "First Girl". Around this time, Seger met his longtime manager Edward "Punch" Andrews, and began writing and producing for other acts that Andrews was managing, such as the Mama Cats and the Mushrooms (with future Eagle Glenn Frey). Andrews and his business partner Leone approached Seger and Brown to write a song for The Underdogs, another local band who recently had a hit with a song called "Man in the Glass". Seger contributed a song called "East Side Story", which ultimately proved to be a failure for The Underdogs.
Seger decided to record "East Side Story" himself, and officially left the Omens (though he did retain Doug Brown as a producer). As Bob Seger and the Last Heard, Seger released his version of the song with Hideout Records in January 1966, and it became his first big Detroit hit. The single (backed with "East Side Sound", an instrumental version of "East Side Story") sold 50,000 copies, mostly in the Detroit area, and led to a contract with Cameo-Parkway Records. Though the name "The Last Heard" originally referred to the collection of Omens and Town Criers who recorded "East Side Story" with Seger, it soon became the name of Seger's permanent band, which consisted of former Town Crier Pep Perrine on drums, Carl Lagassa on guitar, and Dan Honaker on bass. Following "East Side Story," the group released four more singles: the James Brown-inspired holiday single "Sock It To Me Santa", the Bob Dylan-esque "Persecution Smith", "Vagrant Winter", and perhaps the most notable, "Heavy Music", released in 1967. "Heavy Music", which sold even more copies than "East Side Story", had potential to break out nationally when Cameo-Parkway suddenly went out of business.
Seger and Andrews began searching for a new label. In the spring of 1968, Bob Seger & the Last Heard signed with Capitol Records, turning down Motown, who offered more money, as Seger felt that Capitol was more appropriate for his style of music. Capitol subsequently changed the name of the band to The Bob Seger System, a name which they would use until 1970 when Seger began a solo career.
Sock It To Me Santa
Bob Seger & The Last Heard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Christmas just isn't gonna be the same this year.
Why is that?
'Cause Santa's got a brand new bag!
Come on jump up, ohhhh
Sock it to me Santa, you know what I like
Sock it to me Santa, just bring me a bike
Christmas just won't be a drag, Santa's got a brand new bag
You gotta spread those toys all over town
My stocking's all hung so you can see
Don't hang me up Santa lay some toys on me
Sock it to me Santa you know where it's at
Sock it to me Santa I want a baseball bat
Christmas just won't be a drag, cause Santa's got a brand new bag
I say come on Dancer, come on Prancer
A brand new Santa's got to be the answer
Come on Comet, and come on Cupid
Don't just stand there lookin' stupid
He's got a bright red cape and a white moustache (sock it to me Santa)
He's got lots of toys but no time for trash (sock it to me Santa)
He's dressed real warm from his head to his toes (sock it to me Santa)
He lost a little weight but his jelly still rolls (sock it to me Santa)
Sock it to me Santa, you heard what I said
Sock it to me Santa, just bring me a sled
Christmas just won't be a drag, cause Santa's got a brand new bag
Sock it to me Santa
Sock it to me Santa
The song "Sock It To Me Santa" by Bob Seger & The Last Heard is a fun and lively tune about Santa's new bag of toys and the excitement that it brings. The singer of the song is a child who is eagerly anticipating Christmas and all the gifts that Santa will bring. He sings about wanting a bike, a baseball bat, and a sled, and encourages Santa to "sock it to him" and bring on the presents.
There is a sense of urgency and enthusiasm in the song, as the child urges Santa not to let the children down and to spread his toys all over town. The line "Christmas just won't be a drag, 'cause Santa's got a brand new bag" emphasizes the excitement and joy that Santa and his new bag of toys bring to the holiday season.
Overall, "Sock It To Me Santa" is a fun and upbeat song about the excitement of Christmas and the joy that Santa and his gifts bring. It captures the childlike wonder and enthusiasm of the holiday season, and is sure to bring a smile to the faces of listeners of all ages.
Line by Line Meaning
You know what pop?
The singer addresses their father with a casual nickname, indicating that they have something to talk about.
What's that son?
The father responds to his child with a similarly casual tone, showing his willingness to listen to what the child has to say.
Christmas just isn't gonna be the same this year.
The singer expresses their disappointment that the upcoming Christmas will not be as enjoyable as previous ones.
Why is that?
The father asks for the reason behind the child's statement, demonstrating his interest in understanding the child's perspective.
'Cause Santa's got a brand new bag!
The child explains that the reason for their disappointment is because Santa has changed the way he delivers presents, which is not to the child's liking.
Come on jump up, ohhhh
The singer urges Santa to move quickly and efficiently in delivering their presents.
Sock it to me Santa, you know what I like
The singer asks Santa to give them what they want, as Santa already knows their preferences.
Sock it to me Santa, just bring me a bike
The artist specifies the item they want Santa to deliver to them, in this case a bike.
Christmas just won't be a drag, Santa's got a brand new bag
The artist acknowledges that although they are disappointed, they still believe that Christmas will not be completely ruined, as Santa has made changes to his delivery method.
Don't you dare let those children bring you down
The artist urges Santa to not be discouraged by any negative feedback he may receive from other children.
You gotta spread those toys all over town
The singer encourages Santa to deliver presents to as many children as possible, spreading the joy of Christmas throughout the town.
My stocking's all hung so you can see
The artist informs Santa that they have already prepared their stocking, making it easily visible and accessible for Santa to fill with presents.
Don't hang me up Santa lay some toys on me
The singer pleads for Santa to fill their stocking with toys, indicating their excitement and eagerness to receive presents.
Sock it to me Santa you know where it's at
The singer reminds Santa that they have informed him of their preferences, and therefore should know exactly what to deliver to them.
Sock it to me Santa I want a baseball bat
The singer specifies the item they want Santa to deliver to them, in this case a baseball bat.
Christmas just won't be a drag, cause Santa's got a brand new bag
The artist reiterates their belief that Christmas will still be enjoyable, due to Santa's changes in delivery method.
I say come on Dancer, come on Prancer
The artist calls out to two of Santa's reindeer, urging them to move quickly as they pull Santa's sleigh through the night sky.
A brand new Santa's got to be the answer
The singer suggests that a new version of Santa, perhaps one who delivers presents in a way that the singer finds more satisfying, could solve their Christmas disappointment.
Come on Comet, and come on Cupid
The singer calls out to two more of Santa's reindeer, similarly urging them to move quickly in their delivery of presents.
Don't just stand there lookin' stupid
The artist encourages the reindeer to work efficiently, not wasting any time standing around idly.
He's got a bright red cape and a white moustache (sock it to me Santa)
The artist describes Santa's appearance, particularly his red cape and white mustache, using a colloquial phrase to emphasize their excitement and anticipation for Santa's arrival.
He's got lots of toys but no time for trash (sock it to me Santa)
The artist states that Santa has lots of toys to deliver, indicating that he is focused on bringing joy to children rather than being distracted by unimportant things.
He's dressed real warm from his head to his toes (sock it to me Santa)
The singer notes that Santa is properly dressed for the cold winter weather, further emphasizing his ability to quickly and effectively deliver presents without being bothered by the snow and wind.
He lost a little weight but his jelly still rolls (sock it to me Santa)
The artist comments on Santa's physical appearance, noting that although he has lost weight, he still possesses his iconic belly that shakes like jelly when he laughs (a reference to the popular holiday song 'Jingle Bells').
Sock it to me Santa, you heard what I said
The singer reminds Santa of their previous requests, urging him to remember what they want for Christmas.
Sock it to me Santa, just bring me a sled
The singer specifies the item they want Santa to deliver to them, in this case a sled.
Christmas just won't be a drag, cause Santa's got a brand new bag
The singer reiterates their belief that Christmas will still be enjoyable, due to Santa's changes in delivery method.
Sock it to me Santa
The artist once again urges Santa to quickly and efficiently deliver presents to them, using a colloquial phrase to express their excitement and anticipation.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DAN HONAKER, CARL LAGASSA, BOB SEGER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
imdogoflanders
Bob Seger - my FIRST ROCKER CRUSH! And if there HAS to be stupid "Christmas" songs, let there be JUST ONE - this one, the perfect antidote to "Santa Baby!"
my2cents2u
He was soooo darn hot back then. Saw him a couple of times at The Garden. Always put on a tremendous show.
David O'Malley
my2cents2u I would so do him LOL
Metatron's Shadow
This is the first Bob Seger song I've ever heard. It's whacky and cool and I like it.
Dean Laffan
Best Christmas song. Ever.
13SKR13
I remember when i was a kid I would always say sock it to me Santa and had the sticker on my red wagon and never knew it was Seger until some 40 years later.
Bob
Bob Seger rocked back then.
Makenna Morrow
Bob still does
panama_rose
Just saw Derek Hough sing this on the Rockefeller Christmas tree lighting special. Lots more soul in this version.
John Obando
Same, wow he was terrible