In part because of his expressive phrasing and graceful interpretation, Astaire was chosen to introduce many now-classic songs, including standards by Cole Porter (example, "Night and Day"), his friend Irving Berlin ("Let's Face the Music and Dance"), Jerome Kern ("The Way You Look Tonight"), Johnny Mercer ("One for My Baby") and George and Ira Gershwin ("They Can't Take That Away from Me").
Fred Astaire is interred at Oakwood Memorial Park, Chatsworth, California, USA, the same cemetery where Ginger Rogers, is located. (http://encyclopaediaoftrivia.blogspot.com/2011/09/fred-astaire.html)
Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town
Fred Astaire 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 Comin' to Town" sung by Fred Astaire has become an iconic Christmas classic. The opening verse describes the singer's journey to the North Pole, which is depicted as a magical place along the Milky Way. He visits Santa Claus in his workshop, where the jolly old man shares his plans with the singer. Then comes the chorus, which is a warning that you better watch out, better not cry, and better not pout because Santa Claus is coming to town. It's a reminder to children that Santa is always watching them, and they need to be on their best behavior if they want to make it onto his "nice" list.
The second verse of the song describes the types of toys that Santa will be delivering to children around the world: little tin horns, little toy drums, curly head dolls, elephants, boats, and kiddie cars too. The singer encourages children to be excited and to look forward to the joy and festivities of the holiday season. The final verse of the song reminds children to write their letters to Santa and send them right away so that he has time to prepare for his busy Christmas Eve journey around the world.
Overall, "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town" is a fun and festive song that captures the magic and excitement of the holiday season. It also serves as a reminder to children to be on their best behavior and to look forward to the joy and surprises that the holiday season brings.
Line by Line Meaning
I just came back from a lovely trip along the Milky Way
I recently returned from traveling through space and admiring the beauty of the Milky Way Galaxy.
Stopped off at the North Pole to spend a holiday
I took a detour to the North Pole to take a vacation and celebrate the holidays.
I called on dear old Santa Claus
I made a visit to the beloved figure of Santa Claus.
To see what I could see
In order to observe and inspect what was happening in the North Pole and with Santa Claus.
He took me to his workshop And told his plans to me, so
Santa Claus gave me a tour of his workshop and explained his plans to me.
You better watch out, you better not cry Better not pout, I'm telling you why Santa Claus is comin' to town
You should be on your best behavior and avoid crying or pouting because Santa Claus is coming 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
Santa Claus is creating a list of those who have been behaving badly or nicely, and he will be visiting every home to check this list.
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
Santa Claus has the ability to observe you even while you're asleep, and he is aware of all your actions. He encourages you to behave nicely purely for the sake of being good. And, once again, be on your best behavior because Santa Claus will soon be visiting.
With little tin horns and little toy drums Rooty toot toots and rummy tum tums Santa Claus is comin' to town
Exciting toys such as little tin horns and toy drums, along with their catchy sounds, are indications that Santa Claus will arrive very soon.
And curly head dolls that toddle and coo Elephants, boats, and kiddie cars too Santa Claus is comin' to town
A variety of children's toys that include curly head dolls, elephants, boats, and kiddie cars indicate that Santa Claus is approaching.
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
Children in the land of Girls and Boys will celebrate, and will construct a Toyland around the festive Christmas tree. Yet again, Santa Claus is coming to town, and there's still that warning to be on one's best behavior.
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
Santa is very busy preparing for the huge task of filling many stockings on Christmas day. Therefore, one needs to quickly pen down their letter to Santa and immediately send it out. That way, Santa can prepare his reindeer and sleigh on time.
Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Coots, Haven Gillespie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@terencewilliammckenna6121
Yes! Hey, I just came back from a lovely trip, along the Milky Way
I've stopped off at the North Pole, to spend the holiday
I called on dear, ol' Santa Claus, to see what I could see
He took me to his workshop, & told his plans to me
Now, Santa is a busy man, he has no time for play
He's got millions & millions of stockings, to fill on Christmas Day
So you'd better write your letter, now, & mail it right away
Cuz/Because he's getting ready, with his reindeers, elves, & sleigh
@firstname8262
Best version
@31darkstar37
Of the many versions of the song, none can top this.
@Superb_0wl
U got that right! ๐ ๐
@sarahsmith1418
The arrangement is PERFECT. Moves my heart โค
@blackramcharger963
I remember listening to this song when I was a kid.
@TogetherGaming181
I'm wasn't born in the 70s I was in the early 2,000s and I love this version and this movie.
@aaronhazelwood8388
same here, this is my favorite version of the song, and this is my favorite special. Saying this as a pre-2005 kid.
@terencewilliammckenna6121
Kris is Santaโs legendary ancestor
@user-sx5fe6gf1n
Great singing ๐
@crimson2641
I've just added this to my Christmas playlist on YouTube and it's public I love this song