Santa Claus
Bruce Springsteen Lyrics


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It's all cold down along the beach
The wind's whipping down the boardwalk
Hey band!
(Yeah? Hey, babe!) You guys know what time of year it is?
(Yeah!) What time, huh? What? (Christmas time!)
What? (Christmas time!) Oh, Christmas time!
You guys all, you guys all been good and practicing real hard?
Yeah? Clarence, you been, you been rehearsing real hard now,
So Santa'll bring you a new saxophone, right?
Everybody out there been good, or what?
Oh, that's not many, not many, you guys are in trouble out here!
Come on.

Yeah, you better watch out, you better not cry
You better not pout, I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town

He's making a list, he's checkin' it twice
He's gonna find out whose naughty or nice
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town

He sees you when you're sleeping
He knows when you're awake
He knows if you've been bad or good
You better be good for goodness sake
(You better be good for goodness sake)

Oh, you better watch out, you better not cry
You better not pout, I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town
(Ho ho ho ho!)

He sees you when you're sleeping
He knows when you're awake
He knows if you've been bad or good
You better be good for goodness sake
(Better be good for goodness sake)

You better watch out, you better not cry
You better not pout, I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town
Yeah, Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town

(Ho ho ho ho)
Santa Claus is coming to town (Ho ho ho ho)
Santa Claus is coming to town (Ho ho ho ho)
Santa Claus is coming to town (Ho ho ho ho)
Santa Claus is coming to town (Ho ho ho ho)
Santa Claus is coming to town (Ho ho ho ho)
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town (Ho ho ho ho)
Santa Claus is coming to town, alright

Santa Claus is coming to town, yeah
Santa Claus is coming to town, yeah




Santa Claus is coming to town, whoa
Santa Claus is coming to town

Overall Meaning

In Bruce Springsteen's "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," the singer sets the scene on a cold winter day along the beach, with the wind whipping down the boardwalk. He pauses to ask his band if they know what time of year it is, to which they respond enthusiastically "Christmas time!" The lead singer checks in with the band to make sure they have all been practicing hard and behaving well so they can receive gifts from Santa Claus. The song then dives into the classic lyrics about Santa Claus coming to town, making a list and checking it twice to see who's been naughty or nice.


The song has a playful tone, with the lead singer conveying Santa's arrival as a serious matter that children should be wary of. The singer reminds everyone to be good for the sake of goodness, or they may end up on Santa's naughty list. The classic tune and catchy chorus create a sense of joy and excitement around the holiday season.


Overall, Springsteen's "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" conveys the importance of good behavior during the holiday season and the excitement of receiving gifts from Santa Claus. The playful tone of the song creates a festive atmosphere and leaves listeners feeling happy and excited about Christmas.


Line by Line Meaning

It's all cold down along the beach
The weather is really cold at the beach


The wind's whipping down the boardwalk
The wind is blowing very hard at the boardwalk


Hey band!
Someone is trying to get the attention of the band


(Yeah? Hey, babe!) You guys know what time of year it is?
Someone is asking the band if they know what time of year it is


(Yeah!) What time, huh? What? (Christmas time!)
The band knows that it's Christmas time


What? (Christmas time!) Oh, Christmas time!
The person is excited that it is Christmas time


You guys all, you guys all been good and practicing real hard?
The person is asking if the band has been good and practicing hard


Yeah? Clarence, you been, you been rehearsing real hard now, So Santa'll bring you a new saxophone, right?
The person is asking Clarence if he has been practicing hard to get a new saxophone from Santa


Everybody out there been good, or what?
The person is asking the audience if they have been good


Oh, that's not many, not many, you guys are in trouble out here!
The person is jokingly saying that not many people have been good and might get in trouble with Santa


Come on.
The person is encouraging everyone to continue with the song


He sees you when you're sleeping
Santa knows when you are sleeping


He knows when you're awake
Santa knows when you are awake


He knows if you've been bad or good
Santa knows if you have been bad or good


You better be good for goodness sake
The person is warning everyone to be good because Santa is coming


(You better be good for goodness sake)
The person is repeating that everyone better be good


Oh, you better watch out, you better not cry
The person is warning everyone to not cry because Santa is coming


You better not pout, I'm telling you why
The person is telling everyone to not pout because Santa is coming


Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa is coming to town


(Ho ho ho ho!)
Santa is laughing


Santa Claus is coming to town, alright
Santa is definitely coming to town


Santa Claus is coming to town, yeah
Santa is coming to town, for sure


Santa Claus is coming to town, whoa
The person is emphasizing that Santa is coming to town




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Coots, Haven Gillespie

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@sisendavs1060

You better watch out
You better not cry
You better not pout
I'm telling you why, Santa Claus is coming to town
He's making a list
He's checking it twice
He's going to find out
Who's naughty and nice, Santa Claus is coming to town

[Pre-Chorus]
He sees you when you're sleeping
He knows when you're awake
He knows when you've been bad or good
So be good for goodness sake

[Chorus]
You better watch out
You better not cry
You better not pout
I'm telling you why, Santa Claus is coming to town
You better watch out
You better not cry
You better not pout
I'm telling you why, Santa Claus is coming to town
He's making a list
He's checking it twice
He's going to find out
Who's naughty and nice, Santa Claus is coming to town



All comments from YouTube:

@kevin2400

My dad was a huge Springsteen fan and every time I hear this in a store or on the radio, I know that’s him saying he’s ok up in heaven merry Christmas 2019... RIP dad...

@francenoel2223

Bruce sprinteen trop bon j'adore de josee

@kevin2400

My dad died of colon and liver cancer.... sure do miss him☹️☹️

@xpl472

May he watch over you and his Holy Spirit walk among you😔

@nickbakaj322

@Kevin Davis he's up there watching over you smiling and happy you have a great taste in music like he did

@kevin2400

Last year me and my mom had no idea how we pulled Christmas Eve and day off but we hung in there the best we could

79 More Replies...

@Samantha-wo3wf

Never was a fan of this version until my dad always got so happy when this came on the radio. Now this makes its regular rotation every year on my Christmas playlist. Thanks dad ❤️

@amydl4

Oh thank you so much for Christmas November

@ufafgd

As it should. This is one way to honor your Dad at Christmas. I'm an old 66 year old retired guy. I have songs my father enjoyed during Christmas. He was born in 1915.Passed away in 2000. I listen to them even now and know he's listening. This brings me my Christmas joy.

@johnnyraider

good for u samantha !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! regard - johnny raider #12

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