Born in Hawaii, Jennings moved with his family to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, at an early age. Jennings learned to play guitar at the age of 13, when he began writing songs. Jennings later dropped out of school and moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota to pursue his musical career.
Jennings produced his self-titled debut album in 1997 on an analog four-track in the basement of a rented home, manning all instruments himself. In October 1998, after bringing drummer Chris Stock and bassist Robert Skoro on board, he began a weekly gig at Minneapolis' 400 Bar as the Mason Jennings Band. Garnering local praise and a wide fan base, Mason began touring nationally.
His 2000 album Birds Flying Away revealed Jennings' political activism and penchant for singing first-person narratives of imaginary rustic characters. Following the release of this album, Noah Levy took over drumming duties from Stock.
2002 saw the release of two albums: the studio piece Century Spring and a "fans only" collection of acoustic rarities, Simple Life. An EP supporting Century Spring was also released, featuring the album's opening track, "Living In The Moment," two live tracks, and the previously-unreleased "Emperor Ashoka." Jennings released all three discs -- and re-released his earlier albums -- on his homebrewed record label, Architect Records.
In 2003, Skoro and Levy left the band (the former to pursue a solo career), and were replaced by bassist Chris Morrissey (formerly of Bill Mike Band) and drummer Brian Mcleod.
On 10 February 2004, Jennings released Use Your Voice, which notably included the songs "Keepin' It Real," a foot-stomper ostensibly written at the request of Shrek 2 producers (but not used in the film), and "The Ballad of Paul and Sheila," an acoustic dirge for late Minnesota senator Paul Wellstone. On the 30th, September of that year, the band released a DVD entitled Use Your Van, which chronicled the recording of Use Your Voice and part of the promotional tour. The DVD was filmed by Andy Grund.
On June 17, 2005, news broke that Jennings had finally signed with a major label: Glacial Pace, a subsidiary of Sony's Epic Records headed by Modest Mouse frontman Isaac Brock. Minnesota's Star Tribune broke the story, and credited Brock with convincing Jennings to sign after the Mason Jennings Band had opened for several Modest Mouse shows in 2004. Jennings had long avoided the major labels, citing desires to maintain creative control and dodge big-label politics.
Jennings recorded his sixth album, "Boneclouds," at Pachyderm Studio in Cannon Falls, MN. The album was released on May 16, 2006 by Glacial Pace.
After considerable success on "Boneclouds", Jennings released his seventh full length album "In the Ever" in 2008. The album was released under Jack Johnson's "Brushfire Records".
In September 2009, Blood of Man was released on CD and vinyl format. In late 2010, Live at First Ave., his first ever live album, was released.
Santa Claus is Coming To Town
Mason Jennings Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You better not cry
You better not pout
I'm tellin' you why
Santa Claus is comin' to town
He's makin' a list
Checkin' it twice
Who's naughty or nice
Santa Claus is coming to town
He sees you when you're sleepin'
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
You better not pout
I'm tellin' you why
Santa Claus is comin' to town
Oh, yes he is
The kids in girl and boyland
Will have a jubilee
They're gonna build a toyland
All around the Christmas tree
So, you better watch out
You better not cry
You better not pout
I'm tellin' you why
Santa Claus is comin' to town
Santa Claus is comin' to town
Santa Claus is comin' to town
The song "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" by Mason Jennings is a classic Christmas song that reminds children to be on their best behavior since Santa Claus is coming to town. The lyrics emphasize the importance of being good, and that Santa Claus is aware of whether they have been bad or good. The song encourages children to watch their behavior as Santa Claus is coming to town.
The song talks about how Santa Claus is making a list and checking it twice to find out who has been naughty and nice. The lyrics also point out that Santa Claus is aware of everything, and he knows if children have been good or bad, so they better be good for goodness sake. The song emphasizes that children must watch out and control their emotions, or else Santa Claus may not bring them any gifts.
The second half of the song is more hopeful and talks of the happiness that Santa Claus's arrival brings to the children. It highlights the excitement of the holiday season and how it brings joy and happiness to children, who build a toyland all around the Christmas tree.
Line by Line Meaning
You better watch out
Be careful and cautious, pay attention to what's happening around you
You better not cry
Try not to be sad or show your tears, it won't help the situation
You better not pout
Don't get sulky or upset for no reason, keep a good attitude and stay positive
I'm tellin' you why
I'm going to explain the reason why you should pay attention to what I'm saying
Santa Claus is comin' to town
Santa Claus is arriving soon to deliver presents to kids who have been good all year
He's makin' a list
Santa is creating a list of children who have been good all year and who deserve presents
Checkin' it twice
Santa is reviewing and double-checking his list to make sure he doesn't forget anyone
Gonna find out
Santa is going to discover and learn information about which children have been good or bad
Who's naughty or nice
Santa is differentiating between children who have been bad versus those who have been good
He sees you when you're sleepin'
Santa is aware of what children are doing even when they're sleeping
He knows when you're awake
Santa is aware of what children are doing even when they're awake
He knows if you've been bad or good
Santa is aware of what children have been doing and can determine whether they've been good or bad
So be good for goodness sake
Children should make good choices and behave well not just to get presents, but because it's the right thing to do
The kids in girl and boyland
All the children in the world
Will have a jubilee
A time of celebration and happiness
They're gonna build a toyland
Children will use their imagination to create their own world of toys and fun
All around the Christmas tree
Around the decorated tree, which symbolizes the holiday season and gift-giving
Oh, yes he is
Confirmation that Santa is indeed coming to town and children can look forward to receiving presents
Santa Claus is comin' to town
Reiteration that Santa is coming to deliver presents and spread joy during the holiday season
Contributed by Landon O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.