From the 1960s to the 1980s, Diamond was one of the more successful pop music performers, scoring a number of hits. As critic William Ruhlmann writes, "as of 2001, he claimed worldwide record sales of 115 million copies, and as of 2002 he was ranked third, behind only Elton John and Barbra Streisand, on the list of the most successful adult contemporary artists in the history of the Billboard chart."[1] As of May 2005 he has sold 120 million records worldwide, including 48 million records in the U.S.[2]
Though his record sales declined somewhat after the 1980s, Diamond continues to tour successfully, and maintains a very loyal following. Diamond's songs have been recorded by a vast array of performers from many different musical genres.
Diamond was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1984, and then in 2000 was given its Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the early part of 2011.
In 2008 Neil Diamond scored his first ever Billboard number one album with "Home Before Dark", the album also became his first studio album to get to number one in the UK.
Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town
Neil Diamond Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You better not cry
You better not pout
I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town
He's checking it twice
Gonna find out who's naughty or nice
Say it now,
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town
He sees you when you're sleepin'
He knows when you're awake,
Yes he does
He knows when you've been bad or good
So you better be good
You better be good, you better be good
You better watch out
You better not cry
You better not pout
Say, I'm telling you why
Come on now,
Santa Claus is coming to town.
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town
Oh yeah
He sees you when you're sleepin'
He knows when you're awake,
Yes he does
He knows when you've been bad or good,
So you better be good
You better be good, you better be good
For goodness sake
Little tin horns, little toy drums.
Got Rudy-toot-toots
And some rummy tum tums.
Santa Claus is coming to town.
Santa Claus is coming to town, look out
Santa Claus is coming to town.
Here he comes kids
Can't stop the man no how
He remembers every little thing
You did all year
All those kind unspoken words
Keep up the good work guys
Yep, pretty soon now
The lyrics to Neil Diamond's "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town" convey the anticipation and excitement surrounding the arrival of Santa Claus during the Christmas season. The repeated warning phrases of "You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout, I'm telling you why" emphasize the importance of good behavior because Santa is coming to town. These lines suggest that Santa Claus is not only a figure associated with gift-giving but also someone who brings an element of judgment and rewards based on behavior.
The lyrics continue to highlight Santa's meticulousness by stating, "He's making a list, he's checking it twice, gonna find out who's naughty or nice." This reinforces the image of Santa Claus as a figure who knows and observes everything, rewarding those who have been good and possibly withholding gifts from those who have been naughty. The repetition of "Santa Claus is coming to town" further builds up the excitement and serves as a reminder that his arrival is imminent.
The next verse emphasizes Santa's omniscience with the lines, "He sees you when you're sleepin', he knows when you're awake, yes he does. He knows when you've been bad or good, so you better be good." These lyrics portray Santa Claus as omnipresent and all-knowing, heightening the notion that he rewards those who have shown good behavior. The repetition of "you better be good" serves as a reminder for everyone to maintain proper behavior.
The final verse introduces the anticipation for Santa's arrival with the mention of "little tin horns, little toy drums, rudy-toot-toots, and rummy tum tums." These lines evoke a sense of excitement and celebration, as children eagerly await the arrival of Santa and his sleigh. The lyrics conclude with a message of encouragement, urging people to "keep up the good work" and reminding them that Santa will arrive soon, implying that their efforts to behave and do good will be rewarded.
Overall, Neil Diamond's "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town" captures the joyous anticipation and the moral values associated with Santa Claus's arrival during the holiday season. The song serves as a reminder to be on one's best behavior, as Santa Claus represents the reward for virtues and kindness throughout the year.
Line by Line Meaning
You better watch out
Be cautious and aware of your actions
You better not cry
Do not express sadness or frustration
You better not pout
Avoid showing displeasure or dissatisfaction
I'm telling you why
Let me explain the reason
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is arriving in this place
He's making a list
He is creating a record
He's checking it twice
He is reviewing it carefully
Gonna find out who's naughty or nice
He will discover who is behaving badly or well
Say it now,
State it explicitly
He sees you when you're sleepin'
He observes you during your restful moments
He knows when you're awake,
He is aware of your conscious state
Yes he does
Indeed, he possesses this knowledge
He knows when you've been bad or good
He is aware of your negative or positive actions
So you better be good
It would be wise for you to behave virtuously
You better be good, you better be good
You should strive to exhibit goodness
You better watch out
Be cautious and aware of your actions
You better not cry
Do not express sadness or frustration
You better not pout
Avoid showing displeasure or dissatisfaction
Say, I'm telling you why
Expressing, let me explain the reason
Come on now,
Encouraging, let's do it now
Santa Claus is coming to town.
Santa Claus is arriving in this place
Oh yeah
Expressing agreement or excitement
Little tin horns, little toy drums.
Small horns made of tin, small drums as toys
Got Rudy-toot-toots
Possessing fun and joyful sounds
And some rummy tum tums.
Also having lively and delightful sounds
Santa Claus is coming to town.
Santa Claus is arriving in this place
Santa Claus is coming to town, look out
Be cautious and attentive, Santa Claus is arriving
Here he comes kids
The children, get ready, he is approaching
Can't stop the man no how
It is impossible to impede or hinder this man
He remembers every little thing
He retains in his memory every small detail
You did all year
Your actions and behavior throughout the year
All those kind unspoken words
All the gentle and benevolent words left unsaid
Keep up the good work guys
Continue to perform well, everyone
Yep, pretty soon now
Yes, it will be happening shortly
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Coots, Haven Gillespie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jerry P
Hans Gruber : I have someone who wants to talk to you; a very special friend who was with you at the party tonight.
Harry Ellis : [Hans hands him the walkie talkie] Hey, John boy.
John McClane : Ellis?
Harry Ellis : Yeah. Now listen, John, they're giving me a few minutes to try to talk some sense into you. I know you think you're doing your job, John, and I can appreciate that, but, you're just dragging this thing out. Now look, no one gets outta here until these guys can talk to the LA police, and that just ain't gonna happen until you stop messin' up the works, capisci?
John McClane : Ellis, what have you told them?
Harry Ellis : I told 'em we were old friends and you were my guest at the party.
John McClane : Ellis, you shouldn't be doin' this.
Harry Ellis : Tell me about it. Alright, John, listen. They want you to tell them where the detonators are. They know people are listening. They want the detonators or they're gonna kill me.
[pause]
Harry Ellis : John, didn't you hear me?
John McClane : Yeah, I hear you.
Harry Ellis : Hey, John, I think you can get with the program a little, huh? The police are here now, it's their problem. Now tell these guys where the detonators are so no one else gets hurt, you know I'm putting my life on the line for you, pal.
John McClane : Ellis, listen to me very carefully.
Harry Ellis : John?
John McClane : Shut up Ellis, just shut your mouth! Put Hans back on the line.
Alycia Henry
NEIL DIAMOND THIS YEAR IN JANUARY MY LITTLE GIRL DOG LILY WILL BE 1 YEARS OLD AND THIS YEAR FOR CHRISTMAS EVE I WILL BE WITH MY MOM AND CHRISTMAS DAY I WILL BE WITH HER BECAUSE THIS THIS YEAR ON THURSDAY MY BROTHER HAS TO HAVE HAND SURGERY AND THIS FRIDAY I AM GOING TO BE WITH MY MOM BECAUSE THIS YEAR I AM GOING OVER TO MY MOM'S TO DO A OVERNIGHT AT HER HOUSE BECAUSE LAST NIGHT WHEN I HAD TO CALL MY MOM SHE TOLD ME THAT I GET TO DO IT BECAUSE WHEN I AM WITH MY MOM SHE LETS ME HOLD LILY MY LITTLE GIRL BECAUSE WHEN MY MOM AND I FIRST GOT HER SHE STARTED TO LOVE MUSIC AND SO WHEN I AM WITH MY MOM I PUT IT ON FOR HER BECAUSE WHEN I'M WITH MY MOM ON THE WEEKENDS SOMETIMES WHEN IT'S WARM OUT SIDE MY MOM AND I TAKE THEM FOR A WALK AND ALSO THIS YEAR LILY IS NOW LEARNING HOW TO SIT BECAUSE WHEN I TELL HER TO SIT SHE SITS AND WHEN I SAY SIT I TELL HER TO AND SO THAT IS WHAT I DO BECAUSE WHEN I WAS WITH MY MOM LAST WEEKEND I HAD FOUND HER IN MY MOM'S ROOM AND I TOLD HER TO SIT AND SHE SAT AND SO I GOT PICK HER UP AND HOLD HER AND SO THAT IS WHAT I AM GOING TO DO WHEN I GO WITH MY MOM THIS FRIDAY NIGHT WHEN I WAS ON MY PHONE WITH MY MOM SHE TOLD ME THAT SHE WILL PICK ME UP AROUND 7 PM THIS FRIDAY BECAUSE NEIL DIAMOND I AM AT HER HOUSE SHE LETS ME HOLD HER BECAUSE SHE LOVES IT WHEN I HOLD HER AND SO THAT'S WHAT I DO WHEN I AM WITH MY MOM ON THE WEEKENDS AND ALSO NEIL DIAMOND THIS YEAR WHEN MY MOM AND I WERE GOING DOWN TO THE END OF OUR STREET TO GO GET SOME GAS IN HER CAR MY MOM AND I ALMOST MISSED SEEING SANTA CLAUS AND SO MY MOM AND I HAD TO TURN AROUND AND SEE SANTA BECAUSE WE COULDN'T GO TO THE MALL TO HAVE MY PICTURE TAKEN AND SO I GOT TO TALK WITH SANTA CLAUS TO TELL HIM WHAT I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS AND HE TOLD ME THAT HE WILL TELL HIS WIFE THAT I SAID HI BECAUSE I TOLD SANTA THAT I NEED A HOLE NEW MICROPHONE STAND AND SOME C.D.CASSETTES AND SO THAT IS WHAT I HAD TOLD SANTA COLORED PENS AND D.V.D MOVIES AND SO THAT IS WHAT I TOLD HIM WHEN WE SAW HIM AND AFTER THAT MY MOM AND I WENT TO GET GAS AND THEN BACK TO OUR HOUSE AND SO THAT IS WHAT MY MOM AND I DID OVER THE WEEKEND BECAUSE SHE NEEDED TO GET SOME GAS IN HER CAR NEIL DIAMOND AND SO WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO TONIGHT NEIL DIAMOND BECAUSE I AM JUST TELLING YOU THAT I LOVE YOU A LOT SO MUCH THAT I THINK THAT YOU ARE MY FAVORITE SINGER IN THE WORLD THAT I LOVE NEIL DIAMOND BECAUSE I HOPE YOU LOVE ME ALSO NEIL DIAMOND BECAUSE I LOVE IT WHEN YOU SING BECAUSE I HAVE A CHRISTMAS C.D. CASSETTE OF YOU BECAUSE WHEN YOU SING I THINK THAT YOU SOUND WONDERFUL WHEN YOU SING AND SO THAT IS WHY I YOU ALL OF YOUR MUSIC NEIL DIAMOND
aDuckwAs HERE
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtPHmTX4_qC_h5cerkmLThQ heres the official channel
Zachary White
This is my favorite version of Santa Claus is Coming to Town! All thanks to Neil and his talent!
elene Wentzel
I enjoyed this tremendously. Haven’t listened too this song for a loooooong time. Absolutely fabulous✨🌿✨🌸✨🧚✨🌟
Rosalba Platania
Thank you for this beautiful video. I have given the music discs to friends and family, but seeing the songs being sung on video is a great experience. Merry Christmas to all.
Marie-Claire Beckx
Very rocky version of Neil's song 🎸🎵🎼🎤🎶 I ♥️ it!
jon smith
One of the best Christmas shows ever....far better than any Brit shows.
June Hanson
Love your Voice n how you get into your into your songs your dancing is great
Joy Janderchick
LOVE LOVE. LOVE his version🎶💖
Alycia Henry
BECAUSE I LOVE YOUR VOICE WHEN YOU SING SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN BECAUSE THAT IS MY FAVORITE SONG TO LISTEN TO NEIL DIAMOND I LOVE YOU SINGING THAT SONG