Ruiz began playing piano at the age of eight, and gigged with Freddie Hubbard and Joe Newman when he was young. Later, he was Roland Kirk's main pianist from 1974 to 1977, featuring on such records as The Case of the 3 Sided Dream in Audio Color and The Return of the 5000 Lb. Man. Ruiz also recorded several solo albums between the 1980s and 2000s.
On May 19, 2006, Ruiz was found unconscious on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. Police concluded that Ruiz stumbled and fell and was not attacked. [1] As a result of the accident, Ruiz was in a coma and eventually died at the age of 54.
Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town
Hilton Ruiz 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
You better watch out, you better not cry
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
You better watch out, you better not cry
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
The lyrics of Hilton Ruiz's "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" describe a fantastical trip the singer takes through space to the North Pole to visit Santa Claus. Once there, Santa shows the singer his workshop and his plans for Christmas while warning him to behave well because "he knows if you've been bad or good." The song goes on to describe the excitement that children feel on Christmas morning and the toys they receive from Santa.
The song's chorus implores listeners to "watch out" and "be good," as Santa Claus is coming to town and knows who has been naughty or nice. The verses and chorus work together to create a sense of anticipation and excitement about Christmas and the arrival of Santa Claus.
Overall, the song is a joyful celebration of the holiday season and the magic of Santa Claus. It encourages listeners to be kind and generous, reminding them that Santa sees and knows all.
Line by Line Meaning
I just came back from a lovely trip along the Milky Way
I returned from a pleasant journey through space.
Stopped off at the North Pole to spend a holiday
I took a break at the North Pole to celebrate.
I called on dear old Santa Claus
I asked to see Santa Claus.
To see what I could see
To observe what was happening.
He took me to his workshop
He showed me his workplace.
And told his plans to me, so
He shared his intentions with me.
You better watch out, you better not cry
You should be careful and not cry.
Better not pout, I'm telling you why
Elevate your mood and I will explain to you why.
Santa Claus is comin' to town
Santa Claus is on his way to the town.
He's making a list and checking it twice
He is creating a list and checking it twice.
Gonna find out who's naughty and nice
He is going to discover who is bad and good.
He sees you when you're sleepin'
He observes you when you are sleeping.
He knows when you're awake
He is aware when you are active.
He knows if you've been bad or good
He understands whether you are good or bad.
So be good for goodness sake
Thus, be good for the sake of being good.
With little tin horns and little toy drums
Featuring small musical instruments like horns and drums.
Rooty toot toots and rummy tum tums
Referring to playful sounds of musical instruments.
And curly head dolls that toddle and coo
Including dolls with curly hair that move and make sounds.
Elephants, boats, and kiddie cars too
Offering toy elephants, boats, and cars for kids.
Then kids in Girl and Boy land will have a jubilee
The children from Girl and Boy land will rejoice.
They're gonna build a Toyland all around the Christmas tree
They will construct a Toyland around the Christmas tree.
Now Santa is a busy man, He has no time to play
Currently, Santa is very busy and cannot play.
He's got millions of stockings to fill on Christmas day
He needs to fill millions of stockings on the day of Christmas.
You'd better write your letter now
It would be good to write to Santa now.
And mail it right away
And immediately send it in the mail.
Because he's getting ready
Due to the fact that he is preparing.
His reindeer's and his sleigh. So
His reindeer and his sleigh are ready to go.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Jule Styne, Sammy Cahn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind