Gleason could not read or write music in a conventional sense; he was said to have conceived melodies in his head and described them vocally to staff help. He did likewise with the well-remembered themes of both The Jackie Gleason Show ("Melancholy Serenade") and The Honeymooners ("You're My Greatest Love"). There has been some controversy over the years as to how much credit Gleason should have received for the finished products; it has been written that beyond the possible conceptualizing of many of the songs, Gleason had no direct involvement such as conducting in the making of these recordings. However, his main musical companion, cornetist and trumpeter Bobby Hackett once said: "Jackie knows a lot more about music than people give him credit for. I have seen him conduct a sixty-piece orchestra and detect one discordant note in the brass section. He would immediately stop the music and locate the wrong note. It always amazed the professional musicians how a guy who technically did not know one note from another could do that. And he was never wrong."
Born February 26, 1916 in Brooklyn, New York, United States. He died on June 24, 1987
Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town
Jackie Gleason 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 lyrics of Jackie Gleason's song "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" depict a joyful and magical journey to the North Pole. The singer describes visiting Santa's workshop and learning about his plans for the upcoming holiday season. The chorus warns children to be on their best behavior because Santa is coming to town and he knows who has been naughty or nice. The second verse lists various toys that Santa will bring to delight children, and the final verse reminds kids to write their letters to Santa and send them as soon as possible so that he can prepare to deliver their gifts on Christmas day.
Through his lyrics, Gleason captures the childlike wonder and excitement of the holiday season. The journey to the North Pole and visit to Santa's workshop evoke images of twinkling stars and enchanting decorations, while the mention of toys and stockings being filled creates a sense of anticipation and joy for the upcoming holiday. However, the chorus also serves as a gentle reminder to children that their actions have consequences and encourages them to strive to be good.
Overall, "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" is a festive and heartwarming song that has become a classic Christmas tune that is beloved by generations.
Line by Line Meaning
I just came back from a lovely trip along the Milky Way
I went on a pleasant journey through space.
Stopped off at the North Pole to spend a holiday
I took a break at the North Pole for vacation.
I called on dear old Santa Claus
I visited the well-known Santa Claus.
To see what I could see
To observe what was going on.
He took me to his workshop
He brought me to his place of business.
And told his plans to me, so
He shared his intentions with me.
You better watch out, you better not cry
Be careful and don't get upset.
Better not pout, I'm telling you why
Don't sulk, I'm giving you a reason.
Santa Claus is comin' to town
Santa Claus is coming soon.
He's making a list and checking it twice
He's creating a record and reviewing it twice.
Gonna find out who's naughty and nice
He'll discover who's good and who's bad.
Santa Claus is comin' to town
Santa Claus is arriving soon.
He sees you when you're sleepin'
He observes you when you're sleeping.
He knows when you're awake
He's aware of when you're conscious.
He knows if you've been bad or good
He knows if you've acted badly or well.
So be good for goodness sake
Behave well, just because it's good.
Oh! You better watch out, you better not cry
Be careful and don't get upset.
Better not pout, I'm telling you why
Don't sulk, I'm giving you a reason.
Santa Claus is comin' to town
Santa Claus is coming soon.
With little tin horns and little toy drums
Including toy musical instruments.
Rooty toot toots and rummy tum tums
Sounds made by toy instruments.
Santa Claus is comin' to town
Santa Claus is arriving soon.
And curly head dolls that toddle and coo
Including dolls with curls that move and sound like babies.
Elephants, boats, and kiddie cars too
As well as toy elephants, boats, and cars for children.
Santa Claus is comin' to town
Santa Claus is arriving soon.
Then kids in Girl and Boy land will have a jubilee
The children in a world of boys and girls will have a celebration.
They're gonna build a Toyland all around the Christmas tree
They'll create a world of toys and play around the Christmas tree.
So! You better watch out, you better not cry
Be careful and don't get upset.
Better not pout, I'm telling you why
Don't sulk, I'm giving you a reason.
Santa Claus is comin' to town
Santa Claus is arriving soon.
Now Santa is a busy man, He has no time to play
Santa has a lot of work to do and doesn't play around.
He's got millions of stockings to fill on Christmas day
He has to fill a colossal amount of stockings on Christmas day.
You'd better write your letter now
It'd be wise to write your request letter soon.
And mail it right away
And send it promptly.
Because he's getting ready
Because he's preparing for his work.
His reindeer's and his sleigh. So
He's preparing his deer and his sleigh.
With little tin horns and little toy drums
Including toy musical instruments.
Rooty toot toots and rummy tum tums
Sounds made by toy instruments.
Santa Claus is comin' to town
Santa Claus is arriving soon.
And curly head dolls that toddle and coo
Including dolls with curls that move and sound like babies.
Elephants, boats, and kiddie cars too
As well as toys of elephants, boats, and cars for children.
Santa Claus is comin' to town
Santa Claus is arriving soon.
Then kids in Girl and Boy land will have a jubilee
The children in a world of boys and girls will have a celebration.
They're gonna build a Toyland all around the Christmas tree
They'll create a world of toys and play around the Christmas tree.
So! You better watch out, you better not cry
Be careful and don't get upset.
Better not pout, I'm telling you why
Don't sulk, I'm giving you a reason.
Santa Claus is comin' to town
Santa Claus is arriving soon.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: John Coots, Haven Gillespie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind