After a brief spell in the US Army, Vinton was signed to Epic Records in 1960 as a bandleader: "A Young Man With a Big Band." Two albums and several singles were not successful however, and with Epic ready to pull the plug, Vinton found his first hit single literally sitting in a reject pile. The song was titled "Roses Are Red (My Love)." It spent four weeks at No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Arguably, his most famous song is 1963's "Blue Velvet" that also went to No.1. 23 years later, David Lynch named his movie Blue Velvet after the song. In 1964, Vinton had two #1 hits, "There! I've Said It Again" and "Mr. Lonely", the latter now being the basis for Akon's hit "Lonely."
In the 1970s, the "Polish Prince" continued to hit the Top 40, notably with "Ev'ry Day of My Life" and "Sealed With a Kiss" in 1972. That same year, Epic Records decided to end its relationship with Vinton and ended his recording contract. Undeterred, Vinton spent $50,000 of his own money on a self-written song sung partially in Polish: "My Melody of Love." After Vinton was turned down by 7 major labels, ABC Records bought Vinton's idea, and the result was a multi-million selling single that hit #1 on the AC charts in 1974. A gold album, Melodies of Love, followed as well as a successful half-hour variety show "The Bobby Vinton Show" (which aired from 1975 to 1978). He also starred in two John Wayne movies: Big Jake and The Train Robbers.
In the course of his career, Vinton has sold over 75 million records (singles, albums, compilation inclusions, etc) and is still performing on tour and at the Bobby Vinton Blue Velvet Theatre in Branson, Missouri.
Santa Must Be Polish
Bobby Vinton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas to you
Santa must be Polish he's jolly as can be,
Riding on his sleigh with gifts for you and me.
Santa Must Be Polish all dressed in red and white,
Slipping down the chimney, while you're asleep at night.
Means happy holidays to everyone of you
Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia
He brings joy and cheer to everyone each year
Santa must be Polish, he's such a merry man,
Bringing lots of toys to everyone he can.
One thing he's demanding and he wants it understood,
He'll only bring you presents if you've been very good
Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia
Means happy holidays to everyone of you
Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia
He brings joy and cheer to everyone each year
Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia
Means happy holidays to everyone of you
Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia
He brings joy and cheer to everyone each year
The lyrics to Bobby Vinton's song "Santa Must Be Polish" celebrate the joy and cheer that Santa Claus brings during the holiday season, and in particular, highlight the idea that Santa must be of Polish descent due to his jolly nature and his red and white attire. The song references Santa's iconic sleigh ride, as well as his ability to slip down chimneys undetected to deliver presents. It also makes note of the fact that Santa Claus only brings gifts to those who have been good throughout the year.
Beyond these references to Santa Claus, the song also incorporates the Polish language, with the repeated phrase "Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia" translating to "Happy Holidays" in English. This nod to the Polish language and culture may be a reflection of Bobby Vinton's own heritage - as a child of Polish immigrants, he was often inspired by Polish music and folklore in his work.
Line by Line Meaning
Merry Christmas
Wishing you a happy Christmas
Merry Christmas
Wishing you a happy Christmas
Merry Christmas to you
Wishing you a happy Christmas
Santa must be Polish he's jolly as can be,
Santa is a happy person and probably of Polish descent
Riding on his sleigh with gifts for you and me.
Santa travels with a sleigh full of gifts for everyone
Santa Must Be Polish all dressed in red and white,
Santa wears a red and white suit, which may indicate Polish heritage
Slipping down the chimney, while you're asleep at night.
Santa enters homes through chimneys while people are asleep
Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia
Merry Christmas in Polish
Means happy holidays to everyone of you
A message of happiness and greetings to everyone
He brings joy and cheer to everyone each year
Santa brings happiness and joy to people every year
Santa must be Polish, he's such a merry man,
Santa is a very happy person and might have Polish heritage
Bringing lots of toys to everyone he can.
Santa brings many gifts to people
One thing he's demanding and he wants it understood,
Santa only brings gifts to people who behave well
He'll only bring you presents if you've been very good
Only well-behaved individuals receive gifts from Santa
Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia
Merry Christmas in Polish
Means happy holidays to everyone of you
A message of happiness and greetings to everyone
He brings joy and cheer to everyone each year
Santa brings happiness and joy to people every year
Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia
Merry Christmas in Polish
Means happy holidays to everyone of you
A message of happiness and greetings to everyone
He brings joy and cheer to everyone each year
Santa brings happiness and joy to people every year
Contributed by Keira K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@davidbergel
Lyrics:
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas to you
Santa must be Polish he's jolly as can be,
Riding on his sleigh with gifts for you and me.
Santa Must Be Polish all dressed in red and white,
Slipping down the chimney, while you're asleep at night.
Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia
Means happy holidays to everyone of you
Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia
He brings joy and cheer to everyone each year
Santa must be Polish, he's such a merry man,
Bringing lots of toys to everyone he can.
One thing he's demanding and he wants it understood,
He'll only bring you presents if you've been very good
Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia
Means happy holidays to everyone of you
Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia
He brings joy and cheer to everyone each year
Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia
Means happy holidays to everyone of you
Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia
He brings joy and cheer to everyone each year
@Wolfhoundersful
Merry Christmas [2x]
Merry Christmas to you
Santa must be Polish he's jolly as can be,
Riding on his sleigh with gifts for you and me.
Santa must be Polish all dressed in red and white,
Slipping down the chimney, while you're asleep at night.
Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia
Means happy holidays to everyone of you
Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia
He brings joy and cheer to everyone each year
Santa must be Polish, he's such a merry man,
Bringing lots of toys to everyone he can.
One thing he's demanding and he wants it understood,
He'll only bring you presents if you've been very good
[2x:]
Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia
Means happy holidays to everyone of you
Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia
He brings joy and cheer to everyone each year
@mikeslomski7063
My wife and I have a traditional Polish Christmas meal (fish, cabbage stew, perogies, etc) and play Polish Christmas carols. It's nice to honor our Polish heritage!
@robertlucente2420
Love this song it's one of my favorite Christmas songs. When I was a DJ I used to play this and it always got everyone singing and dancing and into the Christmas spirit!!! Good times!!!❤
@annemarie7254
I'm Polish & proud! :) Thanks, Mom & Dad, for raising me w/Polish music!! <3
@jodiadamson794
Wesoly Swiat, Bozego Narodzenia! Got reacquainted with this awesome song, can't stop dancing around the house this Christmas 🎄🥰
@vince1094
I miss the good ole days when my whole family would gather together and sing Polish songs. I’m Polish Descent.
@AnnaMaledonPictureBookAuthor
As a Polish person, I approve!
@paulpilecki1049
This a joyful Christmas song. It expresses the true meaning of the season. Thank you Bobby.
@paulpilecki1049
In memory of my Dad, Frank Pilecki Sr. who loved his Polish heritage deeply. I miss you Dad and will always love you. See you in Heaven some day with Mom. Mom I miss and will always love you.
@robindear5043
You know, in the many years of hearing 24/7 Christmas music after Thanksgiving, I have NEVER heard this song? It's cute & festive too 😊
@PiotrekKaszkur-bz6oz
WOW SUPER FANTASTIC CHRISTMAS MUSIC ❤ LOVE POLAND VIVA AMERICA ❤❤❤ MERRY CHRISTMAS ❤❤