John Herndon "Johnny" Mercer (18 November 1909 – 25 June 1976) is regarded … Read Full Bio ↴John Herndon "Johnny" Mercer (18 November 1909 – 25 June 1976) is regarded as one of America's greatest songwriters. He is best known as a lyricist, but he also composed music. He was also a popular singer who recorded his own songs as well as those written by others. From the mid-1930s through the mid-1950s, many of the songs Mercer wrote and performed were among the most popular hits of the time. He wrote the lyrics to more than fifteen hundred songs, including compositions for movies and Broadway shows. He received nineteen Academy Award nominations, and won four. Mercer was also a co-founder of Capitol Records.

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
Johnny Mercer Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

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 checking it twice

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
Santa Claus is coming to town

Overall Meaning

In Johnny Mercer/The Pied Pipers's song Santa Claus Is Coming to Town, the lyrics warn children to be on their best behavior as Santa Claus is on his way to town. The first verse encourages children to not cry or pout but be happy and good because Santa Claus is coming to town. The second verse emphasizes how Santa Claus is making a list and checking it twice to find out who has been naughty or nice. The third verse is the most memorable because it tells children that Santa Claus sees them when they are sleeping, knows when they are awake, and knows if they have been bad or good. The chorus repeats the importance of watching out and not crying, as Santa Claus is coming to town.

Line by Line Meaning

You better watch out
Be prepared and attentive

You better not cry
Control your emotions

Better not pout
Don't be sulky

I'm telling you why
Giving you the reason why you should do the above

Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa is coming to the city

He's making a list
Santa is creating a catalog

And checking it twice
Conducting a thorough review

Gonna find out
Determine through investigation

Who's naughty and nice
Identifying the good and the bad

Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa is coming to the city

He sees you when you're sleeping
He's aware of your slumber

He knows when you're awake
He's cognizant of your state of consciousness

He knows if you've been bad or good
He is aware of your moral standing

So be good for goodness sake
Carry out good deeds for the sake of being virtuous

Oh! You better watch out
Be prepared and attentive

You better not cry
Control your emotions

Better not pout
Don't be sulky

I'm telling you why
Giving you the reason why you should do the above

Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa is coming to the city

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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

@robertdileo3269

2y↑3

Fantastic! That's real music.

@janetwindsor9244

3y↑2

Johnny Mercer is the best! Lyricist the best! fun...😊

@Alex108341

3y↑3

I love this song, is beautiful!

@cecedubois5147

3y↑3

Terrific version. Love this!

@markherron1407

1y↑1

Happy Birthday to the Late Johnny Mercer 🎈🎂🎁🎉🥳🎉🥳🎁🎉🎂🎉! Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas ⛄🎄 Go HUG someone today IF they're been vaccinated or not 🚫 Blessings and Hugs 💖💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕!