Doing what she loves most, making beautiful music, Kate Ceberano found she shared a musical connection with Mark Isham. After performing together recently in the US and forming a great musical bond, our Australian singer, songwriter, actor and multiple ARIA award winner and Grammy Award winner Mark Isham were joined on a quest based on their mutual love for “bitter-sweet, brokenhearted love song” from the 30's, 40's and 50's.
Both Mark and Kate set about listing their favourite songs from the era and found that they had many in common. One month later they recorded a beautiful album with Alan Pasqua, Tom Warrington, and Peter Erskine filling out the band on piano, bass and drums respectively.
A whirlwind adventure in the studio resulted in 15 spectacular tracks, all recorded live, and full of love and longing. An album that could only be aptly titled, ?Bittersweet', joining the already long list of Kate Ceberano's achievements. With five Platinum albums, four Gold albums and over 1 million albums sold in Australia alone, Kate's bittersweet musical journey is set to continue.
2008 saw the release of Kate Ceberano's 17th album So Much Beauty, the summation of everything that has made this Australian singer exceptional in the past and makes her exceptional still. This is where she's come to, thanks in part to where she's been. In 2007, Kate saluted the 80's with her album Nine Lime Avenue, a tribute to a decade that she holds close to her heart. In fact, the album was named after her childhood street. Nine Lime Avenue was recorded in an unbelievable three weeks, whilst Kate was also tearing up the stage on season six of Channel 7's Dancing With The Stars, of which she was crowned champion. The show was the third highest rated TV program of 2007, beaten only by the AFL and NRL Grand Finals.
“The songs are recorded in Melbourne and are nostalgic. I hope they inspire others to
reminisce in time as well.” Says Kate Ceberano.
Inspire they did, as we saw the album shoot to #5 in the ARIA charts, and achieve Platinum sales. Kate followed this success by embarking on her national Nine Lime Avenue theatre tour along with Dancing With The Stars partner John-Paul Collins, which was a sell-out.
These albums follow a string of award winning accomplishments. Ceberano has released 17 albums and has six Platinum and four Gold records under her belt. She has performed countless sell-out tours, starred in acclaimed feature films and hosted her own television show Kate & Friends.
Kate first found fame with her funk band I'm Talking, a group that was managed by Ken West, who went on to found the Big Day Out with partner Vivien Lees. The group's album produced three top ten singles, went Platinum and won Best New Talent (1984) at the Countdown Awards. Kate won Best Female Vocalist (1985) at the Countdown Awards as well as Best Female Singer (1985) at the Australian Record Industry Association (ARIA) Awards. However after just one album, the group broke up and Kate went solo, and it was in the late 80s that she started to gain reputed success for her soul, jazz and pop repertoire.
“I get so frustrated with how I see people give up too soon in this industry,” says Ceberano who has been nominated for ARIA awards seven times, a figure matched only by Kylie Minogue. “You can be dissuaded from wanting to continue in the music business, but you have got to weather out the hard knocks. My mother gave me the greatest compliment of my life when she said; the thing with Kate is that she recovers fast. And that is how you have to be. You just can't give up; everyone is going to have an opinion about you. Everyone is going to love and hate you. You just have to soldier on.”
Kate's first solo album was the live set Kate Ceberano and Her Septet (1987). Her following album You've Always Got The Blues (1988) earned her an ARIA Award for Best Female Artist (1988). One year later, she won another ARIA for Best Female Artist (1989), as well as one for Highest Selling Single (1989) for Bedroom Eyes from her triple platinum album, Brave. At the end of 1990, she received three prestigious MO Awards for Jazz Performer, Female Rock Performer and Contemporary Concert Performer of the Year.
IIn 1992, Kate performed the role of Mary in Jesus Christ Superstar. The show (which also featured John Farnham) toured nationally, and the album was the biggest hit of the year – going an incredible 4 x Platinum. Kate followed this with her own late-night cabaret-style show on ABC TV called Kate Ceberano And Friends (1993-1994). In 1996 Kate released her next solo album Blue Box, which went Gold and saw her nominated for another Best Female Arist ARIA. In 1997 Kate wrote and released what has become an Australian classic – Pash. It went Gold and established Kate as one of our leading female songwriters.
Many fabulous and widely acclaimed albums were to follow, including 19 Days In New York, an album of jazz favourites recorded whilst living in New York, and 2005's LIVE with the West Australian Sympony Orchestra, which Kate considers to be one of the highlights of her career.
Like many high-profile musicians, Kate Ceberano is known to use her celebrity to support and bring awareness to causes close to her heart; recently being appointed the Victorian Ambassador for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Her role sees her help raise funds and awareness about an illness that affects many lives. “I like to be as involved as I possibly can in causes I feel strongly about,” says Ceberano of her appointment. “Yes I am a musician, but if I can do more to help others then I will.” As a female artist that has been in the Australian music industry for over twenty-five years, Kate Ceberano has defied all the odds and continues to find success in all that she does.
“I know I am privileged to be where I am at in my career. I don't take anything for granted,” she says. “I am very thrilled to have this opportunity to follow my love of music, but I work hard to be where I am.”
Santa Baby
Kate Ceberano Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
for christmas this year?
How about... everything?
Ooh, yee...
Santa Baby,
Slip a sable under the tree
For me
Santa Baby,
So hurry down the chimney tonight
Santa baby,
A 54 convertible too
Light blue
I'll wait up for you, dear
Santa baby,
So hurry down the chimney tonight
Think of all the fun I've missed
Think of all the Fella's that I haven't kissed
Next year I could be just as good
If you'll check out my Christmas list
Santa Baby,
I'd like a yact and that's.
that's really not A lot
Been an angel all year
Santa Baby,
So hurry down the chimney tonight
Santa Honey,
one little thing i really need
The deed
To a platinum mine
Santa Baby,
So hurry down the chimney tonight
Santa cutie,
Fill my stocking with a duplex
And checks
Sign your 'x' on the line
Santa cutie,
and hurry down the chimney tonight
Come and trim my Christmas tree
With some decorations bought at Tiffany's
I really do believe in you
Let´s see if you believe in me
Santa Baby,
I just... I forgot to mention one thing
Yeah... A ring
I don't mean on the phone
Santa Baby,
So hurry down the chimney tonight
Hurry down the chimney tonight
Hurry... tonight
The lyrics of Kate Ceberano's song, Santa Baby can be interpreted as a woman trying to convey her Christmas wishlist to Santa Claus, but with a playful and seductive approach. The opening line suggests that she wants everything, indicating her desire to indulge herself in extravagant gifts. The first verse starts with her request for a sable, which is a type of fur coat, and a 54 convertible car in light blue, appealing to her materialistic desires. In the second verse, she reminds Santa Claus of her good behavior, hoping that it would result in her receiving what she wants. She then asks for a yacht, claiming that it's not asking for much, and asks for the deed to a platinum mine, showcasing her financial ambitions.
In the third verse, she requests a duplex and checks to fill her stockings, again highlighting her desire for material wealth. She then sings about her belief in Santa Claus and asks if he believes in her back. She ends the verse with a final request for a ring, creating the potentially romantic implication that she wants a significant other to share all of these luxurious gifts with. Each verse has a repetitive line "Santa Baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight," appealing to the overall festive theme of the song and emphasizing her hope that all her wishes would come true as quickly as possible.
Line by Line Meaning
Santa Baby,
Slip a sable under the tree
For me
Been an awful good girl
Santa Baby,
So hurry down the chimney tonight
I've been good this year Santa, so I think I deserve a luxurious fur coat. Please come visit me tonight!
Santa baby,
A 54 convertible too
Light blue
I'll wait up for you, dear
Santa baby,
So hurry down the chimney tonight
I'd love to have a stylish and vintage convertible in my favourite color. I'll be awake waiting for you Santa!
Think of all the fun I've missed
Think of all the Fella's that I haven't kissed
Next year I could be just as good
If you'll check out my Christmas list
I've been a good girl this year, but I also don't want to regret missing out on fun and romance. So, please check my wishlist for some exciting items.
Santa Baby,
I'd like a yact and that's.
that's really not A lot
Been an angel all year
Santa Baby,
So hurry down the chimney tonight
I've been an angelic person all year, and I wish to have a magnificent yacht this Christmas. I hope this is not too big a present to ask for!
Santa Honey,
one little thing i really need
The deed
To a platinum mine
Santa Baby,
So hurry down the chimney tonight
Dear Santa, the one thing I'm longing for is to own a platinum mine. Please bring me the deed tonight if you can. I'll be anxiously waiting for you!
Santa cutie,
Fill my stocking with a duplex
And checks
Sign your 'x' on the line
Santa cutie,
and hurry down the chimney tonight
Oh Santa, I can't resist your cuteness! Please fill my stockings with cash and a fancy duplex. I've prepared the contract for you to sign. Can't wait to see you tonight!
Come and trim my Christmas tree
With some decorations bought at Tiffany's
I really do believe in you
Let´s see if you believe in me
I have faith in you Santa, and I know you'll do your best to make this a special Christmas. I'd love it if you could decorate my tree with some beautiful ornaments from Tiffany's. Let's see if you grant my wish.
Santa Baby,
I just... I forgot to mention one thing
Yeah... A ring
I don't mean on the phone
Santa Baby,
So hurry down the chimney tonight
Hurry down the chimney tonight
Hurry... tonight
There's one final thing I'd like to add to my wishlist, a precious ring that I can wear on my finger. I hope you have space in your bag for one more thing. Please hurry, I can't wait any longer Santa!
Writer(s): SPRINGER PHILIP, JAVITS JOAN
Contributed by Mateo L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.