Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, and relocated to Memphis, Tennessee, with his family when he was 13 years old. His music career began there in 1954, recording at Sun Records with producer Sam Phillips, who wanted to bring the sound of African American music to a wider audience. Accompanied by guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black, Presley was a pioneer of rockabilly, an uptempo, backbeat-driven fusion of country music and rhythm and blues. In 1955, drummer D. J. Fontana joined to complete the lineup of Presley's classic quartet and RCA Victor acquired his contract in a deal arranged by Colonel Tom Parker, who would manage the singer for more than two decades. Presley's first RCA single, "Heartbreak Hotel", was released in January 1956 and became a number one hit in the United States. With a series of successful network television appearances and chart-topping records, he became the leading figure of the newly popular sound of rock and roll. His energized interpretations of songs and sexually provocative performance style, combined with a singularly potent mix of influences across color lines during a transformative era in race relations, made him enormously popular—and controversial.
In November 1956, Presley made his film debut in Love Me Tender. Drafted into military service in 1958, Presley relaunched his recording career two years later with some of his most commercially successful work. He held few concerts however, and guided by Parker, proceeded to devote much of the 1960s to making Hollywood movies and soundtrack albums, most of them critically derided. In 1968, following a seven-year break from live performances, he returned to the stage in the acclaimed television comeback special Elvis, which led to an extended Las Vegas concert residency and a string of highly profitable tours. In 1973, Presley gave the first concert by a solo artist to be broadcast around the world, Aloha from Hawaii. Years of prescription drug abuse severely compromised his health, and he died suddenly in 1977 at his Graceland estate, just 42 years of age.
Presley is one of the most celebrated and influential musicians of the 20th century. Commercially successful in many genres, including pop, country, blues, and gospel, he is the best-selling solo artist in the history of recorded music. He won three competitive Grammys, received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award at age 36, and has been inducted into multiple music halls of fame.
Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
Elvis Presley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well, it's Christmas time, pretty baby
And the snow is fallin' on the ground
(Christmas, Christmas)
Well, it's Christmas time, pretty baby
And the snow is on the ground (Christmas, Christmas)
Well, you be a real good little girl
Got no sleigh with reindeer, no sack on my back
You're gonna see me comin' in a big black Cadillac
Whoa, oh, it's Christmas time, pretty baby
And the snow is fallin' on the ground
Well, you be a real good little baby
Santa Claus is back in town (Christmas, Christmas)
(Christmas, Christmas, Christmas)
Hang up your pretty stockings
Turn off the light
Santa Claus is comin' down your chimney tonight
Whoa, oh, oh, oh, it's Christmas time, baby
And the snow is fallin' on the ground
Well, you be a real good little baby
Santa Claus is back in town (Christmas, Christmas, Christmas)
The opening lines of Elvis Presley's "Santa Claus is Back in Town" immediately evoke the spirit of Christmas; the song is a declaration that Christmas has arrived. The lyrics also highlight the omnipresence of the holiday – the snow is falling on the ground, and the singer notes that Santa Claus is back in town. The mention of snow further conveys the winter season and creates an image of a festive winter wonderland.
The song takes the listener through various images of Christmas: the stockings, the chimney, and of course, Santa Claus himself with his big black Cadillac. The singer instructs the listener to be "a real good little girl/baby" so that Santa Claus will grace them with his presence. The implication is that Christmas is not only a time for joy and celebration, but also for good behavior and obedience.
Overall, "Santa Claus is Back in Town" is a rock and roll twist on the classic Christmas tune. It acknowledges the traditional elements of the holiday season while adding a touch of rebellious flair with the big black Cadillac.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, it's Christmas time, pretty baby
It's that special time of the year, my dear
And the snow is fallin' on the ground
The beautiful snow is covering the earth
Well, it's Christmas time, pretty baby
It's that special time of the year, my dear
And the snow is on the ground
The beautiful snow is covering the earth
Well, you be a real good little girl
If you're well-behaved like you should be
Santa Claus is back in town
Santa Claus will come to visit you once again
Got no sleigh with reindeer, no sack on my back
I don't have traditional equipment, but I'll still make it
You're gonna see me comin' in a big black Cadillac
I'll arrive in style in my shiny black car
Hang up your pretty stockings
Get your beautiful old stockings out
Turn off the light
Turn off the light so he can arrive safely
Santa Claus is comin' down your chimney tonight
Santa Claus is coming down your chimney tonight
Whoa, oh, oh, oh, it's Christmas time, baby
Oh my, it's Christmastime, my dear
And the snow is fallin' on the ground
The beautiful snow is covering the earth
Well, you be a real good little baby
If you're well-behaved like you should be
Santa Claus is back in town
Santa Claus is coming to visit you once again
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nething94
Well, it's Christmas time, pretty baby
And the snow is falling on the ground
(Christmas, Christmas)
Well, it's Christmas time, pretty baby
And the snow is falling down
(Christmas, Christmas)
Well, you be a real good, little girl
Santa Claus is back in town (Christmas, Christmas)
Got no sleigh with reindeer
No sack on my back
You're gonna see me comin'
In a big black Cadillac
Oh-oh, it's Christmas time, pretty baby (Christmas, Christmas)
And the snow is falling on the ground (Christmas, Christmas)
Well, you be a real good, little baby
Santa Claus is back in town (Christmas, Christmas)
Hang up your pretty stockings
And turn off the light
Santa Claus is comin'
Down your chimney tonight
Oh-oh, it's Christmas time, pretty baby (Christmas, Christmas)
And the snow is falling on the ground (Christmas, Christmas)
Well, you be a real good, little baby
Santa Claus is back in town
@Lighttanguitar
Clinical studies show that listening to Elvis sing the blues lifts mood by 100%.
@LindaAnnReynoldsEdS
To me, this is the best song Elvis ever sang! Down into his soul!♥️🎚
@tammyl.victory5974
You're absolutely correct on that one. 😉 Soul. INSPIRED Talent On LOAN from THE ONE and ONLY 😍 GOD ❤️
@JohnPatterson-kz8jr
My favorite Xmas songs:Blue Christmas and Santa Claus is Back in Town by Elvis,
Pretty Paper by Willie.
Hippopotamus for Christmas by Gayla Peavey.
Nuttin' For Christmas by Stan Freberg.
Please Come Home For Christmas by The Eagles.
Everybody'Waiting on The Man With The Bag and Marshmallow World by Seth MacFarlane.
Santa Baby by Eartha Kitt.
@sass6795
I still play Elvis Christmas songs. Keeping the family tradition alive, miss you Dad💜
@fs3841
One of the best Christmas classics in my opinion
@laurareinoso8442
its really underrated tho
@keithkarvelis82
@Laura Reinoso Oh yeah. Very much so.
@robertrussell1548
Probably the best Christmas song ever recorded. Yet you never hear it on the radio or in the supermarket. Sad depriving people of the the greatest rendition of Santa Claus is back in town ever.
@iliketocomment8144
This has to be one of the greatest Christmas songs of all time. Definitely in my top 3 now. Thanks Bad Santa 2!