In 1960, the group known as The Four Lovers evolved into The Four Seasons, with Frankie Valli as the lead singer, Bob Gaudio (formerly of The Royal Teens) on keyboards and tenor vocals, Tommy DeVito on lead guitar and baritone vocals, and Nick Massi on bass guitar and bass vocals.
The Four Seasons and the Beach Boys were virtually the only American groups whose successful careers were not derailed when the Beatles and the British Invasion bands hit the States in 1964. In fact, 1964 ranks as the Four Seasons' biggest year of all, despite the insurgency from abroad, which attests to their durability and appeal among America's teenagers. That appeal stemmed from the Four Seasons' ability to complement spotless Italian-American doo-wop harmonies with the forceful falsetto and three-octave range of lead vocalist Frankie Valli - the other members were Bob Gaudio on keyboards and tenor vocals, Tommy DeVito on lead guitar and baritone vocals, Gerry Polci on drums, and Nick Massi on bass guitar and bass vocals. Frankie Valli and Tommy DeVito previously performed with Nick DeVito (Tommy's twin brother) and Hank Majewski as the Four Lovers. later on the Four Season where heavley shaped by the songwriting of band member Bob Gaudio, with arrangements and production that drew upon everything from Phil Spector's "Wall of Sound" to the danceable beat of Motown's pop/R&B singles. During a hitmaking streak that spanned the years 1962-68, the Four Seasons netted two dozen Top Forty singles, including the Number One hits "Sherry," "Big Girls Don't Cry," "Walk Like a Man" and "Rag Doll." They've sold over 100 million records worldwide, making them the most successful white doo-wop group in rock and roll history.
At their peak, the Four Seasons made recordings that expressed the tough-but-tender sensibility of their home turf in the Northeast much in the way the Beach Boys encapsulated the world of Southern California in harmony and song. In the words of Billy Joel, a longtime fan who grew up listening to them on Long Island, "The Four Seasons had wonderful chord progressions, beautiful writing, terrific production fantastic harmony, records that really spoke to us."
The band released their first hit "Sherry" in 1962. Under the guidance of producer/songwriter Bob Crewe, The Four Seasons followed up "Sherry" with several well-remembered hits, including "Big Girls Don't Cry", "Walk Like a Man" and "Candy Girl". In the mid 1960s, the British Invasion slowed down their career somewhat, but the Four Seasons released several more big hits in 1964, such as "Dawn", "Rag Doll", which was the first single on WABC Radio, New York to be "pick hit of the week" one week and the number 1 single the following week, "Big Man in Town", "Ronnie" and "Save It for Me". Nick Massi left the Four Seasons in 1965 and was replaced by Joe Long who became the mainstay on bass and backup vocals until 1976. Several more Top 10 singles followed, including "Let's Hang On", "Working My Way Back To You", "Can't Take My Eyes Off You", and "C'mon Marianne"; but by late 1967, the group's popularity was deteriorating, as public interest moved towards rock with a harder edge and more socially conscious lyrics. The band would, however, enjoy a brief revival in their popularity in the mid 1970s, with the hits "Who Loves You", "Swearin' to God", and their last number one hit "December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)".
Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
The Four Seasons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You better not cry
Better not pout
I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town
He's making a list,
And checking it twice
Who's naughty and nice.
Santa Claus is coming to town
He sees you when you're sleeping
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.
Better not pout,
I'm telling you why.
Santa Claus is coming to town.
Santa Claus is coming to town.
The Four Seasons's song Santa Claus Is Coming to Town is a classic Christmas song that has become a holiday staple. The lyrics of the song refer to the legend of Santa Claus, a jolly, bearded man who travels around the world on Christmas Eve, delivering presents to children who have been good throughout the year.
The first verse of the song warns children to behave because Santa Claus is coming to town and he is making a list of who has been good and who has been naughty. The line "He sees you when you're sleeping, he knows when you're awake" is particularly significant because it implies that Santa Claus has magical powers and can keep an eye on children at all times. Children are urged to be "good for goodness sake" in order to make it onto Santa's "nice" list.
The second verse reinforces the message of the first verse, reminding children that Santa Claus is watching them and that he will reward those who have been good. The repetition of "you better watch out, you better not cry" adds to the urgency of the message and suggests that there will be consequences for those who misbehave. The song ends on the same note as it began, with a reminder that Santa Claus is coming to town.
Line by Line Meaning
You better watch out
Be careful and attentive, pay attention to your actions and behavior
You better not cry
Do not shed tears or express sorrow
Better not pout
Do not show discontent or bad mood
I'm telling you why
I'm giving you the reason for my warning
Santa Claus is coming to town
The beloved generous man dressed in red is going to visit us.
He's making a list,
He's creating a catalog
And checking it twice
He's carefully reviewing it multiple times
Gonna find out
He'll discover through searching and investigation
Who's naughty and nice.
Who deserves a reward and who deserves punishment.
He sees you when you're sleeping
He is aware of your restful state and behavior
He knows when you're awake
He is aware of your wakeful state and behavior
He knows if you've been bad or good
He's aware of whether you have behaved well or poorly
So be good for goodness sake
Therefore, behave in a kind and ethical way, not only because you'll be rewarded, but because it's the right thing to do.
Oh! You better watch out!
Oh! You must be careful, there are things to fear.
Santa Claus is coming to town.
The beloved generous man dressed in red is going to visit us once again.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Coots, Haven Gillespie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rhino
Celebrate the holiday season in style with this timeless playlist of Christmas favorites old and new: 100 Greatest Christmas Songs Ever 🎅🎄 https://wea.lnk.to/xmas
@mthivier
When I used to go out caroling with the other kids in the neighborhood when I was a kid (back when kids did that sort of thing), when we got to "Santa Claus is Coming to Town", I always wanted to sing it Four Seasons style.
@Syrph.
This feels like a group of good singers out carolling and getting interupted by some weird kid that won't leave them alone.
@b.wilder1663
My favorite version of this song-- it's making me extra-happy this year for some reason LOL
@manuelorozco7760
Jennifer Garner’s new movie Family Switch sent me here! Only 4 more sleeps until Xmas left.
@attila7092
I grew up with this Christmas album. So many memories. Thank you Four Seasons
@nancyhicksgribble9799
My dad loved this album. Couldn't appreciate the genius until he left us. Now its one of my favorites.
@charlestaylor2480
My daughter loves this song and she is from Jersey
@SafetyRulesAndRegulations
I’ve been looking for this song for about four days now, and I’ve finally found it. And I love it.
@jimmyb7425
One of the best Christmas 8 track tapes ever! Lol !