Baxter studied piano at the Detroit Conservatory before moving to Los Angeles for further studies at Pepperdine College. Abandoning a concert career as a pianist, he turned to popular music as a singer. At the age of 23 he joined Mel Tormé's Mel-Tones, singing on Artie Shaw records such as "What Is This Thing Called Love?".
Baxter then turned to arranging and conducting for Capitol Records in 1950, and was credited with the early Nat King Cole hits, "Mona Lisa" and "Too Young", but both were actually orchestrated by Nelson Riddle.[1] (In later releases of the recordings the credit was corrected to Riddle.[citation needed]) Not a uncommon practice these days: Baxter himself had arranged Nat King Cole's "Nature Boy" in 1947 for a recording conducted by Frank De Vol. In 1953 he scored his first film, the sailing travelogue Tanga Tika. With his own orchestra, he released a number of hits including "Ruby" (1953), "Unchained Melody" (1955) and "The Poor People Of Paris" (1956). The latter recording sold over one million copies and was awarded a gold disc.[2]He also achieved success with concept albums of his own orchestral suites: Le Sacre Du Sauvage, Festival Of The Gnomes, Ports Of Pleasure, and Brazil Now, the first three for Capitol and the fourth on Gene Norman's Crescendo label. The list of musicians on these recordings includes Plas Johnson and Clare Fischer.
Baxter also wrote the "Whistle" theme from the TV show Lassie.
Baxter did not restrict his activities to recording. As he once told Soundtrack! magazine, "I never turn anything down".
In the 1960s, he formed the Balladeers, a besuited and conservative folk group that at one time featured a young David Crosby.[citation needed] He operated in radio as musical director of The Halls of Ivy and the Bob Hope and Abbott and Costello shows.
Like his counterparts Henry Mancini, Lalo Schifrin and James Horner, Baxter later worked for the film industries from 1960s to 70s. He worked on movie soundtracks for American International Pictures where he composed and conducted scores for Roger Corman's Edgar Allan Poe films and other horror stories and teenage musicals, including The Pit and the Pendulum, Panic in Year Zero!, Beach Party, The Comedy of Terrors,The Dunwich Horror, and Frogs. Howard W. Koch recalled that Baxter composed, orchestrated, and recorded the entire score of The Yellow Tomahawk (1954) in a total of three hours for $5,000.[3]
With less soundtrack work in the 1980s, he scored music for theme parks and SeaWorlds. In the 1990s, Baxter was widely celebrated, alongside Martin Denny and the Arthur Lyman Group, as one of the progenitors of what had become known as the "exotica" movement. In his 1996 appreciation for Wired magazine, writer David Toop remembered Baxter thus:
"Baxter offered package tours in sound, selling tickets to sedentary tourists who wanted to stroll around some taboo emotions before lunch, view a pagan ceremony, go wild in the sun or conjure a demon, all without leaving home hi-fi comforts in the white suburbs".
Baxter has a motion picture star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6314 Hollywood Blvd.
Santa Claus Party
Les Baxter and His Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Right down Santa Claus lane
Vixen and Blitzen and all his reindeer
Are pullin' on the reins
Bells are ringin', children singin'
All is merry and bright
Hang your stockings and say your prayers
Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus
Right down Santa Claus lane
He's got a bag that is filled with toys
For the boys and girls again
Hear those sleigh bells jingle jangle
What a beautiful sight
Jump in bed, cover up your head
'Cause Santa Claus comes tonight, tonight
Santa claus comes tonight
Happy days, happy times, listen to the bells and chimes
As Santa Clause comes your way, today
Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus
Right down Santa Claus lane
He doesn't care if you're rich or poor
For he loves you just the same
Santa Claus knows we're God's children
That makes everything right
Fill your hearts with the Christmas cheer
'Cause Santa Claus comes tonight, tonight
Santa Claus comes tonight, stand by
Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus
Right down Santa Claus lane
He'll come around when the chimes ring out
Then it's Christmas morn again
Peace on earth will come to all
If we just follow the light
Let's give thanks to the Lord above
'Cause Santa Claus comes tonight
Happy days, happy times, listen to the bells and chimes
Here comes Santa Claus
The lyrics to Les Baxter & His Orchestra's song "Santa Claus' Party" beautifully capture the festive and joyful spirit of Christmas. The opening lines, "Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus," set the scene for Santa's arrival down Santa Claus lane with his reindeer Vixen and Blitzen. The mention of the reindeer pulling on the reins and the bells ringing evoke the traditional imagery associated with Santa's sleigh ride through the night sky.
As the song progresses, the focus shifts to the excitement felt by children as they anticipate Santa's visit. The lyrics highlight the traditions of hanging stockings and saying prayers before Santa arrives, emphasizing the magical and heartwarming aspects of the holiday season. The repetition of the phrase "Santa Claus comes tonight" creates a sense of anticipation and wonder, emphasizing the joy and happiness that Santa's presence brings.
The lyrics also touch on the universal appeal of Santa Claus, emphasizing that he doesn't care about wealth or status but loves all children equally. This message of inclusivity and love is a central theme in the song, reinforcing the idea that Christmas is a time for spreading joy and kindness to all. The mention of Santa knowing that we are all God's children and the call to fill our hearts with Christmas cheer reinforces the spiritual and communal aspects of the holiday.
In the final verses, the lyrics encourage listeners to find peace and light through the Christmas spirit. The mention of giving thanks to the Lord above and the promise of peace on earth if we follow the light emphasize the deeper meaning of Christmas beyond the material gifts and celebrations. The repetition of "Happy days, happy times, listen to the bells and chimes" serves as a joyful refrain that encapsulates the overall message of love, joy, and unity that Santa Claus symbolizes during the holiday season. Together, these lyrics paint a vivid picture of the magic and wonder of Christmas and remind listeners of the true spirit of the season.
Line by Line Meaning
Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus
Santa Claus is on his way
Right down Santa Claus lane
Making his way down the street
He doesn't care if you're rich or poor
Santa loves everyone equally
For he loves you just the same
His love is unconditional
If we just follow the light
Finding peace by following a positive path
Santa Claus knows we're God's children
Santa recognizes the good in everyone
Peace on earth will come to all
If we strive for peace, it will be achieved
Fill your hearts with the Christmas cheer
Embrace the joy of the holiday season
Let's give thanks to the Lord above
Express gratitude for blessings received
Jump in bed, cover up your head
Prepare for a good night's sleep
Hang your stockings and say your prayers
Preparing for Santa's visit
Bells are ringin', children singin'
Sounds of excitement fill the air
All is merry and bright
The holiday spirit is joyful and hopeful
He's got a bag that is filled with toys
Santa is carrying gifts for children
Hear those sleigh bells jingle jangle
The sound of Santa's arrival is magical
What a beautiful sight
The festive decorations create a lovely scene
Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus
Get ready for Santa's arrival
For the boys and girls again
To bring joy to children once more
Then it's Christmas morn again
Morning of Christmas will bring happiness
Happy days, happy times, listen to the bells and chimes
Enjoy the festive atmosphere
As Santa Claus comes your way, today
Prepare to welcome Santa this day
Santa claus comes tonight
Santa is arriving this evening
Stand by
Be ready for Santa's visit
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Oakley Haldeman, Gene Autry
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@perpetual61
LYRICS:
Come on everybody!
To Santa Clause's party,
You may be sure both rich and poor are welcome at santa's door.
You don't need a ticket to Santa Clause's party,
Alot of toys for girls and boys and plenty of fun in store.
Our christmas tree's so high, it pokes right through the sky!
And santa will be there to call "Merry Christmas to you all!"
Come on everybody!
To Santa Clause's Party,
A cheery grin will get you in so what are you waiting for.
Theres a baseball bat for Johnny, a talking doll for Jill,
And a mountain high of ice cream pie where everyone eats his fill.
There'll be rides on Santa's reindeer with the Christmas time patrol,
If you're good they'll stop at
Santa's shop way up at the old north pole.
Come on everybody!
To Santa Clause's party,
You may be sure both rich and poor are welcome at Santa's door.
You don't need a ticket to Santa Clause's party there's
Lots of toys for girls and boys and plenty of fun in store.
Our Christmas tree so high, it pokes right through the sky,
And Santa will be there to call "Merry Christmas to you all!
Come on everybody!
To Santa Clause's party,
A cheery grin will get you in... at Santa's Merry Christmas party
@frdjr2527
This song is as old as I am (1952), but I only discovered it about 15 years ago on SiriusXM's Holiday Traditions. I love it! Such a fun and happy Christmas song! Very underrated!
@MAGNUM05
It's Christmas morning and I've just listened to this for the first time ever. I really enjoyed it. This is definitely one of my new favorite Christmas songs. 10/10 👍🏻. Merry Christmas, everyone! 🎅
@garylowe2694
What a great under appreciated christmas song.
@SLam-ve3yp
I love the happy feeling of this song. 😀
@shastaevangeline8952
Happy memories from childhood! 🤗
@aemiliacarolphonetube9749
This is so cheery I love it
@WizardOfHumor1989
“Ok people! Tomorrow mornin’, 10 am, Santa’s comin to town!”
“SAAAANTAAAAAAAAAAA!!! OH MY GOOOOOOODDD!! SANTA HERE? I KNOW HIM! I KNOW HIM!”
@bradleycotton3237
👨🏿🦲 “He’ll be here to take pictures with all the children! 10 AM tomorrow.”
🧑🏼🦱 “10 AM tomorrow!”
👨🏿🦲 “Santa’s comin’ to town.”
@luvs2cover
This is the cutest song but you never hear it being played 😢
@antoniocampagnefilho2136
santa claus grandes musicas