Spike Jones was a popular musician and comedian during the 1940s and 1950s.… Read Full Bio ↴Spike Jones was a popular musician and comedian during the 1940s and 1950s. He and his backing band "The City Slickers" employed a wide variety of zany vocals, household implements and shotguns to produce their wacky, yet musically intriguing tracks.

Reputed to have the most talented and highly-paid musicians of the day, Spike Jones and his musicians were considerably more than simply novelty performers. Much of their performances even included theatrics and musical athletics. Spike Jones was subtley avant-garde in that he deftly combined elements and master performers of pop, dance, early jazz, blues, country and folk music with genes as distant as opera and classical.

All I Want For Christmas
Spike Jones Lyrics

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'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse
Suddenly I heard a strange noise down below
So, in my flannel pajamas I went tippy-toe
I could see old Saint Nick from the spot where I stood
So I slid down the banister just as fast as I could

All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth

My two front teeth, see, my two front teeth
Gee, if I could only have my two front teeth
Then I could wish you Merry Christmas

It seems so long since I could say
Sister, Suzy sitting on a thistle
Every time I try to speak
Huh, all I do is whistle

All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth
My two front teeth my two front teeth
Gee, if I could only have my two front teeth
Then I could wish you Merry Christmas

Good old Santa Claus and all his reindeer
Huh, they used to bring me lots of toys and candy
Gee, but, but now when I go out and call Dancer, Prancer, Donnner and Blitzen
None of 'em can understand me

All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth
My two front teeth, see my two front tee
All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth
So I can wish you merry Christmas
Christmas, Christmas

Aww, for goodness sakes
Happy New Year

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Spike Jones's song "All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth" tell the story of a child who, on the night before Christmas, hears a noise and realizes Santa Claus is in his house. Excited and eager to see Santa, the child slides down the banister to get a better view. However, there's a problem – the child is missing their two front teeth and can only whistle when they try to speak. The child dreams of having their two front teeth back so that they can talk normally again and wish everyone a Merry Christmas.

The song is a fun and lighthearted take on the holiday season and the sometimes absurd wishes that people may have. The child's desire for their two front teeth, while seemingly insignificant, represents the innocence and simplicity of childhood. The idea of Santa Claus coming into the house also represents the magic and wonder of the holiday season.

Line by Line Meaning

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house
The night before the Christmas Day had come, and everything in the house was quiet and peaceful.

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse
Nobody was moving or making any sound, not even a small mouse.

Suddenly I heard a strange noise down below
All of a sudden, I heard a weird sound coming from downstairs.

So, in my flannel pajamas I went tippy-toe
I put on my flannel sleepwear and walked slowly and quietly on my toes.

I could see old Saint Nick from the spot where I stood
I was able to catch a glimpse of Santa Claus from where I was standing.

So I slid down the banister just as fast as I could
I quickly and smoothly slid down the handrail to go near Santa Claus.

All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth
My biggest wish for Christmas is to have my two front teeth.

My two front teeth, see, my two front teeth
I am referring to these specific two teeth that I lost and want back.

Gee, if I could only have my two front teeth
I am saying that having my two front teeth would make me really happy.

Then I could wish you Merry Christmas
I would be able to fully enjoy and celebrate Christmas if I had my two front teeth.

It seems so long since I could say
It feels like a really long time since I could pronounce words correctly.

Sister, Suzy sitting on a thistle
I used to be able to say the tongue twister 'Sister, Suzy sitting on a thistle' without any problem.

Every time I try to speak
Every time I attempt to talk or say anything,

Huh, all I do is whistle
I end up whistling instead because of the loss of my two front teeth.

Good old Santa Claus and all his reindeer
Referring to the iconic Santa Claus and his trusty flying reindeer.

Huh, they used to bring me lots of toys and candy
Santa and his reindeer used to bring me many toys and sweets as Christmas presents.

Gee, but, but now when I go out and call Dancer, Prancer, Donnner and Blitzen
But now, when I try to call Santa's reindeer names like Dancer, Prancer, Donner, and Blitzen,

None of 'em can understand me
None of the reindeer seem to comprehend what I'm trying to say due to my whistling instead of speaking.

So I can wish you merry Christmas
I want my two front teeth back so that I can properly wish everyone a joyful, merry Christmas.

Christmas, Christmas
I am repeatedly announcing that it is Christmas time.

Aww, for goodness sakes
I am expressing surprise or disappointment.

Happy New Year
Wishing everyone a happy new year.

Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Donald Yetter Gardner

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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