Baty was at University of California Berkeley studying mathematics when he formed the band with Rick Estrin (born 1949). The band's music relies chiefy on electric urban blues of the Chicago variety, but mixed in with other compatible styles, including early rock and roll, soul, surf music, swing, jump blues, and western swing. The band issued their debut album, All the Way Crazy, in 1987, including the songs "Poor Tarzan", "Suicide Blues" and "When Girls Do It". The following album Disturbing the Peace (1988), included "That's My Girl", "My Money's Green", "She's Talking" and "Nervous". The records help established them on the blues festival and club circuits, and they began touring the country extensively, playing a number of international venues. They have played at the San Francisco Blues Festival in 1980 and 1982, the Montreal International Jazz Festival, the San Diego, California Street Scene and Seattle's Bumbershoot Festival plus the Juneau Jazz & Classics Festival in 2002.
Their 1993 album, Night Vision was produced and played on by Joe Louis Walker. It featured "My Next Ex-Wife," a witty blues-rocker that won Estrin a W.C. Handy Award for 'Song of the Year', highlighting his steadily growing reputation for songwriting prowess. Original drummer Dobie Strange left in 1996, after 20 years with the group, and his spot was taken by June Core.
In early 2008, Baty announced he was entering "soft" retirement, no longer tours with the band, except for possible reunion tours/shows in Europe and select North American festivals. Baty performed with JW-Jones at Mont Tremblant Blues Festival, Ottawa Bluesfest, and Piazza Blues in Bellinzona, Switzerland in July 2009. Estrin continued with the band re-billed as Rick Estrin & the Nightcats. Baty was replaced on guitar by Chris 'Kid' Andersen (born 1980), originally from Telemark, Norway. Andersen had played backing Charlie Musselwhite as well as fronting his own band.
Baty's most recent blues recording was as a guest on JW-Jones, Bluelisted (2008), an album which marked the first time in his career that he documented his harmonica playing on a recording, and the first time he and another West Coast blues musician, Junior Watson, had recorded together on the same tracks.
The band dissolved in 2008, with three members going on to form Rick Estrin & the Nightcats.
Santa Claus
Little Charlie & The Nightcats Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Santa Claus, Santa Claus, please stop by my house today
I want a big bunch of presents for Christmas
And I got to see you right away
Now I want a diamond ring for Christmas and an El Dorado too
Three or four more hair suits and some of them Stacy Adam shoes
I want a big bunch of presents for Christmas man
I got to see you right away
I wanna hit the lottery for Christmas
So I don′t have to work at all
I want three or four or real five chicks
I want to have myself a ball
But Santa Claus, Santa Claus, please stop by my house today
I want a big bunch of presents for Christmas
Got to see you right away
Now if you wanna be my friend fat boy
Here's what you gonna do
Bring me everything I want, and I don′t mean, no self cartoons
But Santa Claus, stop by my house today
I want a big bunch of presents for Christmas man
And I got to see you right away
The lyrics to Little Charlie & The Nightcats's song "Santa Claus" represent a humorous take on the typical Christmas song requests. The singer is begging Santa Claus to stop by his house on Christmas Day and bring him an abundance of gifts. The list of desired presents is long and outrageous, ranging from a diamond ring and an El Dorado car, to hair suits and Stacy Adams shoes. The singer's desires become even more outlandish as he requests to hit the lottery so he can avoid work and have multiple women.
However, the humorous tone of the song is elevated by the singer's clear understanding that his extravagant wants will not actually come true. Through his irreverent requests and exaggerated tone, the lyrics of "Santa Claus" humorously acknowledge the ridiculousness of the traditional Christmas wish list.
Line by Line Meaning
Santa Claus, Santa Claus, please stop by my house today
The singer is eagerly requesting Santa Claus to visit their home immediately.
I want a big bunch of presents for Christmas
The singer has high expectations for receiving an abundance of gifts on Christmas day.
And I got to see you right away
The singer is impatient and cannot wait to meet Santa Claus in person.
Now I want a diamond ring for Christmas and an El Dorado too
The artist desires luxurious items such as expensive jewelry and a fancy car for Christmas.
Three or four more hair suits and some of them Stacy Adam shoes
The artist wants multiple high-quality suits and designer shoes for their wardrobe.
I wanna hit the lottery for Christmas
The singer hopes to win the lottery as a Christmas gift to avoid having to work for income.
So I don't have to work at all
The singer wishes to be financially stable enough to not have to work anymore.
I want three or four or real five chicks
The artist desires to have multiple romantic partners for enjoyment.
I want to have myself a ball
The artist wants to have a good time and enjoy themselves.
Now if you wanna be my friend fat boy
The artist addresses Santa Claus in a teasing way, using the nickname 'fat boy'.
Here's what you gonna do
The singer is giving Santa Claus directions on what is expected in order to be their friend.
Bring me everything I want, and I don't mean, no self cartoons
The artist is demanding Santa Claus to bring them everything they desire, specifically no cheap or imitation items.
Got to see you right away
The singer is emphasizing their need to meet Santa Claus as soon as possible.
Writer(s): Estrin
Contributed by Lauren L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.