Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town
Frank Sinatra Lyrics


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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
And checking it twice
He's gonna find out who's naughty and nice
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
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 coming to town

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

He's making a list
And he's checking it twice
He's gonna find out who's been naughty and nice
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
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 coming to town

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Frank Sinatra’s song “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town” have become ubiquitous in many households during the Christmas holiday season. The song begins by warning the listener to behave because Santa Claus is on his way to town. The lyrics are a lighthearted way of conveying the idea that Santa Claus is always watching and observing whether people are behaving well or not.


As the song progresses, it highlights the idea that Santa Claus is compiling a list to determine who is naughty or nice. The lyrics suggest that it is better to be good, as Santa is always aware of the actions of children. This portion of the song speaks to a larger theme of accountability and recognition for one’s actions. The song also emphasizes the anticipation of the arrival of Santa Claus and the excitement that comes with his visit.


In essence, the lyrics of “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town,” encourage children and adults to be on their best behavior, as Santa Claus is always watching. The song delivers a positive message about the values of behaving well, kindness, and good intentions.


Line by Line Meaning

You better watch out
You need to be on your best behavior and stay alert.


You better not cry
You should avoid shedding tears and being emotional.


You better not pout
You need to keep a happy demeanor and avoid sulking.


I'm telling you why
I'm giving you a heads up on a very important visitor who is coming.


Santa Claus is coming to town
The well-known Christmas figure is coming to your town soon.


He's making a list
Santa Claus has a list of all the good and bad kids this year.


And checking it twice
He's reviewing his notes twice to ensure their completeness and accuracy.


He's gonna find out who's naughty and nice
He wants to verify who's been well-behaved and who's been mischievous.


He sees you when you're sleeping
Santa Claus has a knack for arriving while children are asleep.


He knows when you're awake
He's aware of when kids are awake and how they spend their time.


He knows if you've been bad or good
He's been keeping tabs on the actions of all children, good or bad.


So be good for goodness sake
It's important to be well-behaved for the sake of being good, not just because Santa Claus is coming.


Say, you better watch out
I'm emphasizing that you definitely need to pay attention.




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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Mike


on The Lady Is A Champ

eight

She gets too hungry for dinner at eight
She can't eat late and stay up all night, because unlike society types, she has to get up in the morning.

She likes the theatre and never comes late
She cares more about seeing the play than being seen making an entrance.

She never bothers with people she'd hate
Her friends are friends, not social trophies.

Doesn't like crap games with barons or earls
While barrns and earls probably don't play craps, she associates with friends, not people to be seen with.

Won't go to Harlem in ermine and pearls
She doesn't "slum", the practice of the rich in the 30's, when the song was written, of touring poor neighborhoods dressed in rich clothes to "tut, tut" about the deplorable conditions, and congratulate each other for "caring about the poor"

Won't dish the dirt with the rest of the girls
Doesn't trade gossip for acceptance among an in-crowd


She likes the free, fresh wind in her hair
She cares more about how her hair feels than conforming with current hair fashions

Hates California, it's cold and it's damp
Since most of California is noticeably warmer and / or drier than New York, where the play the song was written for is set, this is probably a facetious excuse to like what she likes.


And she won't go to Harlem in Lincoln's or Ford's
Another reference to slumming, but facetious, since Lincolns and Fords were middle-class, not luxury brands when the lyric was written

Anonymous


on Try a Little Tenderness

Here are the correct lyrics

Try A Little Tenderness - Frank Sinatra - Lyrics

Oh she may be weary
Women do get wearied
Wearing that same old shabby dress
And when she’s weary
You try a little tenderness

You know she’s waiting
Just anticipating things she’ll may never possess
While she is without them
Try just a little bit of tenderness

It’s not just sentimental
She has her grieve and her care
And the words that soft and gentle
Makes it easier to bear
You wont regret it
Women don't forget it
Love is their whole happiness
And it’s all so easy
Try a little tenderness

Musical Interlude

And, it’s all so easy
Try a little tenderness

Daniel


on The Way You Look Tonight

I met Frank Jr. in Las Vegas, a real gentleman. RIP you both.

Giorgi Khutashvili


on Theme from New York, New York

)))

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