Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
Ray Charles Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

You better watch out, you better not cry
You better not pout, I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is comin' to town (look at him)
He's making a list and checking it twice
He's gonna know who's been naughty or nice
Santa Claus is comin' to town
(Do you hear me, well listen)
He knows if you're sleeping
Yeah, He knows if you're awake
And He knows if you've been good or bad
So you better be good for goodness sake, yeah yeah

You better watch out, you better not cry
You better not pout, I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town
(Alright look up, here He comes)

I'll tell you
Well, He knows if you're sleeping
Yeah, He knows if you're awake
They tell me even though as if you're bad or good
So you better be good for goodness sake

Girls and boys
You better watch out, and you better not cry
You better not pout, I'm telling you why
Now Santa Claus is coming to town

You know it's suppose to be a secret
But I can't keep it just to myself
Santa is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus, the man is coming to town




I must say just one more time here
Santa Claus is coming to town

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Ray Charles's song Santa Claus Is Coming to Town conveys the idea of Santa Claus coming to town and checking on the behavior of children, which influences his decision to give presents to them. The song appeals to children to stay away from bad behavior, because Santa Claus is aware of everything they do. The idea of Santa Claus is reinforced with his ability to know if the children are sleeping or awake, and if they’ve been naughty or nice. Therefore, the song encourages children to be good for goodness sake, so as to receive the gift of Santa at the right time.


The mention of ‘Girls and boys’ could also mean that Santa Claus embodies the ideologies of fairness and equality with his gift-giving, and not biased towards any gender. The singer of the song promises to keep the secret of Santa Claus's visit to town, but brings out an interesting aspect of the song since the message is often associated with Christmas season, making people wonder if he was referring to Christmas or Santa Claus coming to town in general.


Line by Line Meaning

You better watch out, you better not cry
Be cautious, don’t whine or sob incessantly


You better not pout, I'm telling you why
Don’t be sulky, listen to me while I explain


Santa Claus is comin' to town (look at him)
Santa Claus is arriving and you can see him


He's making a list and checking it twice
He is creating a list and verifying it for mistakes


He's gonna know who's been naughty or nice
He will identify those who were mischievous or well-behaved


Santa Claus is comin' to town
Santa Claus is approaching


(Do you hear me, well listen)
Are you attentive? Pay attention to what I am saying


He knows if you're sleeping
He is aware if you are sleeping


Yeah, He knows if you're awake
Yes, He is aware if you are awake


And He knows if you've been good or bad
Furthermore, He is aware if you have been a good or bad person


So you better be good for goodness sake, yeah yeah
Therefore, you should be good just for the sake of being good


Alright look up, here He comes
Okay, look up, he is approaching


I'll tell you
Allow me to inform you


They tell me even though as if you're bad or good
I have heard that he knows whether you are good or bad


Girls and boys
Young females and males


Now Santa Claus is coming to town
At this moment, Santa Claus is arriving


You know it's suppose to be a secret
You know this information is intended to be confidential


But I can't keep it just to myself
However, I cannot resist revealing it to others


Santa is coming to town
Santa Claus will soon be here


Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is about to arrive


Santa Claus, the man is coming to town
Santa Claus, the individual, is approaching


I must say just one more time here
I need to emphasize once again


Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is on his way




Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

Jim Day

I can't Imagine being blind, and being such a fantastic musician..

Daniel M

Even more amazing is how he learned how to read and play music. Braille sheet music on his lap, left hand reading the right handed parts, and vice versa. Incredible.

Mallory Zemelis

Christmas better come soon I love it and Ray's voice who agrees!

Trey Guilford

me

Snap Rowsdower

A few years ago, I bought a Ray Charles Christmas album. One of those purchases who's proceeds go to a charity (a definite bonus right there). Anyway, this was my absolute favorite from that cd. It has a good mix of blues, jazz and big band. I think it's the blues elements that I like most. It gives me an image of a mellow walk down the street downtown just as night falls on Christmas eve. A fading orange hue in the sky. Colored lights lining the street. Stopping at the bar for a drink.

OriginalTsipoura

love the song.... like this video very much... and this version with Ray Charles is amazing!!!!!!! (and of course there always will be a few idiots who will click on dislike!!!)

talbot809

It's so bluesy, I love it and I love Ray........Merry Christmas.

tricky dick

Best version of this song I know, even better than Sinatra's.

Dennis Rountree

You said it! Can’t be beat!

Raúl Quiroz

CHILDHOOD

More Comments

More Versions