Born in Oakdale, New York on Long Island, Monheit began singing professionally while attending Connetquot High School. At 17, she began studying at the Manhattan School of Music in New York City under the tutelage of Peter Eldridge. At the age of 20, as a senior, she won the first runner-up prize at the 1998 Thelonious Monk Institute Vocal Competition. In 1999, she received her Bachelor's degree in music.
Monheit's voice has been compared to that of Ella Fitzgerald, whom she lists as one of her influences. Songs she has recorded range from jazz standards to MGM/RKO musicals of the 1930s-1950s and Brazilian rhythms such as "Começar de novo".
Monheit released her debut album, Never Never Land in October 2000 and it became an instant success. This was followed shortly by her second album, Come Dream With Me (May 2001) and her third, In The Sun (October 2002).
Her fourth album, Live at the Rainbow Room, was released in December 2003. A similarly-titled DVD was released to complement the CD.
Her fifth album, Taking a Chance on Love, was released in September 2004. It debuted at the #1 spot on Billboard's traditional jazz chart and entered Billboard's top 100 pop chart the first week it was released. The album included the song Over the Rainbow, which had been included in her previous release recorded at the Rainbow Room, and also in the soundtrack for the film, Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow.
The Taking a Chance on Love DVD was released in March 2005 and contains performances from the Brecon Jazz Festival in Wales, UK. Monheit released her sixth album, The Season, in October 2005. Her first holiday-themed album, it debuted in the top 10 on Billboard's jazz chart. Monheit told jazzreview.com that it was inspired by Ella Fitzgerald's holiday album, Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas.
The singer recently signed a recording contract with Concord Records. Her most recent album, Surrender, debuted at #1 on Billboard's jazz chart.
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
Jane Monheit 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 Coming To Town" is a classic Christmas tune that has been covered by many artists over the years. The song begins with the singer describing a trip they took along the Milky Way and stopping off at the North Pole to visit Santa Claus. Santa takes the singer to his workshop and tells him about his plans for Christmas.
The chorus warns children to behave and not to cry, pout, or be naughty because Santa Claus is coming to town. Santa is making a list and checking it twice to find out who's been good or bad, and he sees when children are sleeping or awake. The second verse describes the toys that Santa will be bringing to boys and girls, including little tin horns, toy drums, and curly head dolls. The children in Girl and Boy land will be overjoyed by the toys and will build a Toyland all around the Christmas tree.
The final verse reminds children to write their letters to Santa and send them off right away because he's getting ready with his reindeer and sleigh for Christmas Day. The song is a playful warning to children to behave and a reminder of the magic and joy of Christmas.
Line by Line Meaning
I just came back from a lovely trip along the Milky Way
I returned from a wonderful journey through the galaxy
Stopped off at the North Pole to spend a holiday
I took a break at the North Pole to celebrate and relax
I called on dear old Santa Claus
I visited the well-known Santa Claus
To see what I could see
To witness what was happening at the North Pole
He took me to his workshop
He showed me his working place
And told his plans to me, so
And shared his intentions with me
You better watch out, you better not cry
You should be careful and avoid crying
Better not pout, I'm telling you why
You shouldn't be sad or upset, and I am going to tell you why
Santa Claus is comin' to town
Santa Claus is arriving in the neighborhood
He's making a list and checking it twice
He is composing a list and reviewing it twice
Gonna find out who's naughty and nice
He will determine who has been good or bad
He sees you when you're sleepin'
He watches you while you sleep
He knows when you're awake
He is aware of when you are alert
He knows if you've been bad or good
He can tell if you have been misbehaving or well-behaved
So be good for goodness sake
Therefore, you should behave well for the sake of being good
With little tin horns and little toy drums
Featuring tin horns and toy drums
Rooty toot toots and rummy tum tums
Filled with musical delight
And curly head dolls that toddle and coo
Including cute dolls that walk and make soothing sounds
Elephants, boats, and kiddie cars too
Also consisting of toy elephants, boats, and cars for kids
Then kids in Girl and Boy land will have a jubilee
As a result, children in both Girl and Boy lands will have a festive celebration
They're gonna build a Toyland all around the Christmas tree
They will construct a Toyland all over the Christmas tree area
Now Santa is a busy man, He has no time to play
Currently, Santa is a busy person and does not have time for leisure
He's got millions of stockings to fill on Christmas day
On Christmas day, he has numerous stockings to fill
You'd better write your letter now
You should write your letter to Santa immediately
And mail it right away
Then proceed to mail it immediately
Because he's getting ready
Because he is preparing himself
His reindeer's and his sleigh.
Together with his reindeer and sleigh
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RICHARD WILLIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind