The Carpenters' melodic pop charted a record-breaking score of hit recordings on the American Top 40 and Adult Contemporary charts, becoming leading sellers in the soft rock, easy listening and adult contemporary genres. The Carpenters had three #1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 and fifteen #1 hits on the Adult Contemporary Chart (see The Carpenters discography). In addition, they had twelve top 10 singles (including their #1 hits). To date, The Carpenters' album and single sales total more than 100 million units.
During their fourteen-year career, The Carpenters recorded eleven albums, five of which contained top 10 singles (Close to You, Carpenters, A Song for You, Now & Then and Horizon), thirty-one singles, five television specials, and one short-lived television series. They toured in the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, the Netherlands and Belgium. Their recording career ended with Karen's death on February 4, 1983. Karen passed away after cardiac arrest due to complications of anorexia nervosa. Extensive news coverage of the circumstances surrounding her death increased public awareness of the consequences of eating disorders.
Their first recordings were not successful, and the recording studio that was recording them, dropped them. That's when their 'savior' came in. Herb Alpert of A&M records heard a couple of their songs and said that he felt that they had good potential. Thanks to him, and his ability to see/hear quality when it appears, we had the GREAT performers of The Carpenters.
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
The Carpenters Lyrics
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Stopped off at the North Pole to spend a holiday
I called on dear old Santa Claus
To see what I could see
He took me to his workshop
And told his plans to me, so
[Chorus]
Better not pout, I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is comin' to town
He's making a list and checking it twice
Gonna find out who's naughty and nice
Santa Claus is comin' to town
He sees you when you're sleepin'
He knows when you're a wake
He knows if you've been bad or good
So be good for goodness sake
Oh! You better watch out, you better not cry
Better not pout, I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is comin' to town
With little tin horns and little toy drums
Rooty toot toots and rummy tum tums
Santa Claus is comin' to town
And curly head dolls that toddle and coo
Elephants, boats, and kiddie cars too
Santa Claus is comin' to town
Then kids in Girl and Boy land will have a jubilee
They're gonna build a Toyland all around the Christmas tree
So! You better watch out, you better not cry
Better not pout, I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is comin' to town
Now Santa is a busy man, He has no time to play
He's got millions of stockings to fill on Christmas day
You'd better write your letter now
And mail it right away
Because he's getting ready
His reindeer's and his sleigh. So
[Chorus]
With little tin horns and little toy drums
Rooty toot toots and rummy tum tums
Santa Claus is comin' to town
And curly head dolls that toddle and coo
Elephants, boats, and kiddie cars too
Santa Claus is comin' to town
Then kids in Girl and Boy land will have a jubilee
They're gonna build a Toyland all around the Christmas tree
So! You better watch out, you better not cry
Better not pout, I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is comin' to town
The Carpenters' version of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" is a cheerful and playful rendition of the classic Christmas song. The song begins with the singer returning from a trip through space, during which they stopped by the North Pole to spend some time with Santa Claus. They visited Santa's workshop and listened to his plans for Christmas. The chorus serves as a warning to all children to behave well or face the risk of receiving no gifts from Santa on Christmas morning. The second verse describes the different types of toys that Santa will bring to children, including dolls, elephants, boats, and cars. The song ends with a reminder for all children to write their letters to Santa as soon as possible to ensure that they receive their gifts.
Line by Line Meaning
I just came back from a lovely trip along the Milky Way
I recently had a pleasant journey across the galaxy
Stopped off at the North Pole to spend a holiday
I took a break and visited the North Pole for a vacation
I called on dear old Santa Claus
I requested to meet the beloved Santa Claus
To see what I could see
In order to find out and explore my surroundings
He took me to his workshop
Santa Claus showed me around his workplace
And told his plans to me, so
He shared his intentions and goals with me
You better watch out, you better not cry
Be cautious and don't shed tears unnecessarily
Better not pout, I'm telling you why
Don't sulk, because I'll explain why
Santa Claus is comin' to town
Santa Claus will visit our community
He's making a list and checking it twice
Santa Claus is preparing a list and verifying it twice
Gonna find out who's naughty and nice
He will determine who has been mischievous and who has been well-behaved
He sees you when you're sleepin'
Santa Claus observes you even when you're sleeping
He knows when you're awake
He is aware of when you're conscious and alert
He knows if you've been bad or good
He is informed if you have been naughty or nice
So be good for goodness sake
Therefore, act appropriately for the sake of being virtuous
With little tin horns and little toy drums
Toys such as mini trumpets and percussion instruments
Rooty toot toots and rummy tum tums
Noisemakers such as horns and drums making loud, cheerful sounds
And curly head dolls that toddle and coo
Toys such as dolls with curly hair that wobble and make cheerful noises
Elephants, boats, and kiddie cars too
Other toys such as toy elephants, boats and cars for kids
Then kids in Girl and Boy land will have a jubilee
Young girls and boys will have a festive celebration
They're gonna build a Toyland all around the Christmas tree
They will construct a fantasy playzone filled with toys around the Christmas tree
Now Santa is a busy man, He has no time to play
Santa Claus has a lot of work to do and no leisure time
He's got millions of stockings to fill on Christmas day
He has the task of filling a large amount of stockings on Christmas day
You'd better write your letter now
It is advisable to write your letter before it's too late
And mail it right away
Then promptly mail your letter
Because he's getting ready
Since he is busy preparing
His reindeer's and his sleigh. So
Preparing his reindeer as well as his sleigh
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Coots, Haven Gillespie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind