Isaak's music can be described as a blend of country, blues, rock'n'roll, pop and surf rock.
He signed a contract to Warner Brothers Records in 1984 for his first album "Silvertone". Isaak's contract was renewed in 1988 when Warner moved him to their Reprise Records label.
His best-known song is "Wicked Game". Though released on the 1989 album "Heart Shaped World", an instrumental version of the song was later featured in the David Lynch film 'Wild at Heart' (and also years later in the 2000 film The Family Man). An Atlanta radio station DJ began playing the full version and it quickly became a nation-wide top ten hit. The music video for the song was directed by Herb Ritts and was a big MTV and VH1 hit; shot in black and white, it starred Isaak and model Helena Christensen rolling on the beach, embracing and whispering in each others' ears.
In 1999, Isaak's "Baby Did A Bad, Bad Thing" was featured in Stanley Kubrick's final film 'Eyes Wide Shut', starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman.
In 2001, Chris Isaak starred in his own television show, 'The Chris Isaak Show'. It aired from March 2001 to March 2004 in the United States on the cable television network Showtime. This adult comedy show featured Chris Isaak and his band playing themselves with the episode plots based on fictional accounts of the backstage world of Chris Isaak - the rock star next door.
In 2004, his track "Life Will Go On" was featured on the 'Chasing Liberty' soundtrack, which starred Mandy Moore and Matthew Goode.
He hosted a talk show on the Biography cable channel in the United States in 2009 that offered a unique twist - each guest was a musical artist, and both Chris and the artist performed various songs throughout each show. Eight episodes aired in early 2009, featuring guests Trisha Yearwood, Stevie Nicks, Glen Campbell, Michael Buble, Chicago, The Smashing Pumpkins, Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens), and Jewel.
Isaak has also appeared in numerous films, mostly playing minor cameo roles, though he starred with Keanu Reeves and Bridget Fonda in the 1993 Bernardo Bertolucci-directed 'Little Buddha', and also played a major role in David Lynch's 'Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me' (1992). Other motion pictures include 'Married to the Mob' (1988), 'The Silence of the Lambs' (1991), 'That Thing You Do!' (1996), and 'A Dirty Shame' (2004). He also guest-starred on the Super Bowl Sunday (1996) edition of the television sitcom Friends and on the HBO miniseries, From the Earth to the Moon (HBO).
Chris is also an amateur boxer, avid surfer and a former Golden Gloves champion.
Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
Chris Isaak 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 song "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" by Chris Isaak is a classic Christmas tune that brings to mind the joy and excitement of the holiday season. In the verses, the singer describes a journey through the Milky Way to the North Pole, where he encounters Santa Claus in his workshop. Santa shares his plans for the holiday season, including the making of a list and checking it twice to find out who's been naughty and nice. The chorus serves as a warning to children to be good, for Santa Claus is coming to town and he sees everything.
The second verse of the song portrays the sights and sounds of Christmas, as children receive gifts like little tin horns, toy drums, and curly-headed dolls. The chorus repeats, reminding children to be good or else Santa Claus will know. The final verse is a call to action for children to write their letters to Santa Claus and mail them right away, for he is preparing to fill millions of stockings on Christmas day.
Overall, the song is a joyful celebration of the Christmas season and the anticipation of Santa Claus's arrival. It reminds us to be good and kind to others not just during the holiday season, but throughout the year.
Line by Line Meaning
I just came back from a lovely trip along the Milky Way
I have recently returned from a wonderful journey through the galaxy.
Stopped off at the North Pole to spend a holiday
I made a stop at the North Pole to enjoy a vacation.
I called on dear old Santa Claus
I visited the beloved and famous figure of Santa Claus.
To see what I could see
Curious about the North Pole, I wanted to see what went on there.
He took me to his workshop
Santa showed me around his workshop where the gifts are made.
And told his plans to me, so
He also shared his plans with me while giving me a tour.
You better watch out, you better not cry
You should be careful and not cry too much or Santa won't be pleased.
Better not pout, I'm telling you why
It's better not to sulk because I will inform you why.
Santa Claus is comin' to town
Be aware, Santa Claus will be arriving soon.
He's making a list and checking it twice
Santa Claus is creating a list of those who have been nice or naughty and double-checking it.
Gonna find out who's naughty and nice
Santa Claus will determine who has been good or bad.
He sees you when you're sleepin'
Santa Claus is observant, and he knows when you're sleeping.
He knows when you're a wake
He's also aware of when you're awake.
He knows if you've been bad or good
Santa Claus is discovering who has been naughty or nice.
So be good for goodness sake
For the sake of being a good person, everyone must be on their best behavior.
With little tin horns and little toy drums
Gifts such as tin horns and toy drums will be brought to children.
Rooty toot toots and rummy tum tums
These items will make fun little sounds when played by the children.
And curly head dolls that toddle and coo
The children will also receive adorable dolls that are curly-haired and coo when cuddled.
Elephants, boats, and kiddie cars too
Other toys like elephants, boats, and kiddie cars will provide plenty of fun for the children.
Then kids in Girl and Boy land will have a jubilee
The children will be ecstatic and overjoyed in their worlds of Girl and Boy land.
They're gonna build a Toyland all around the Christmas tree
A toyland will be constructed around the Christmas tree where the children can play.
Now Santa is a busy man, He has no time to play
Santa Claus is incredibly busy and doesn't have time for leisure activities.
He's got millions of stockings to fill on Christmas day
On Christmas day, Santa Claus will be responsible for filling millions of stockings.
You'd better write your letter now
To ensure that Santa Claus brings them the right presents, children must write and send letters beforehand.
And mail it right away
Letters should be promptly mailed to reach Santa Claus before Christmas.
Because he's getting ready
Santa Claus is preparing for his travels around the world on Christmas Eve.
His reindeer's and his sleigh. So
He's busy with his famous team of reindeer and his sleigh. Therefore, everyone should be ready because:
You better watch out, you better not cry
Be careful, don't cry too much, or act spoiled because:
Better not pout, I'm telling you why
Don't sulk. Here's why:
Santa Claus is comin' to town
Santa Claus is arriving soon!
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Coots, Haven Gillespie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
NZYOGAGIRL Larissa
Stevie sounds beautiful, they both do
2326038
Chris and Miss Stevie You got me for life after I first head both of you singing Red River Valley. Love you both, separate and together..
Rose Arp
Love y’all. Merry Xmas! 🌹
Music lover
You should see him in Las Vegas, Nevada tommorow night..See the schedule...he sounds so good..that would be a great pressent to go see him wow
renee172
so cuuuuute
WitnessThe
If you're feeling really depressed around this time of year, there's a cure! Go rescue a kitten and receive a Christmas miracle, for both of you.
Billy Morgan
Stevie 🥰