Ramsey Lewis has received seven gold records and three Grammy Awards so far in his career.
His recent "With One Voice" release pays homage to his gospel roots all while maintaining his classic style. With the help of gospel favorites Smokie Norful, Darius Brooks, and Donald Lawrence, Lewis delivers an emotion-packed, soul-stirring, album. Lewis also enlisted the help of his church's choir, pastored by his older sister, to sing on several of the album's tracks. The J.W. James Memorial A.M.E. Church Combined Choir is breath-taking, adding so much life, freedom, and hope to "With One Voice". The CD's first single, "Pass Me Not" can be heard on Chicago's WGCI 107.5.
In addition to recording and performing, he is / has been a radio host on Chicago's Smooth Jazz station, WNUA (95.5 FM). His syndicated show Legends of Jazz, featuring classic jazz recordings from artists such as Charlie Parker and Miles Davis), can be heard in 60 cities in the United States and other countries as well. His most recent venture, the Legends of Jazz television series on PBS, was first aired in April 2006.
As of 2005 he has been hosting a radio show called Legends of Jazz for London's Smooth FM (previously Jazz FM).
On December 4, 2006, the Ramsey Lewis Morning Show will become a part of Broadcast Architecture's Smooth Jazz Network, simulcasting on other Smooth Jazz stations across the country for the first time. However, the show will still be based in Chicago, as it has always been.
03 Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
The Ramsey Lewis Trio Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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 Ramsey Lewis Trio's song Santa Claus Is Coming to Town is a fun, lighthearted Christmas tune about the anticipation and excitement surrounding Santa's arrival. The lyrics describe the singer's journey to the North Pole to visit Santa in his workshop and learn about his plans for the upcoming holiday. The chorus provides the warning that Santa is "making a list and checking it twice" to find out who has been naughty and nice, urging children to behave for "goodness sake." The song also lists the various toys and gifts that Santa will be bringing to children, including little tin horns, toy drums, curly head dolls, elephants, boats, and kiddie cars.
Overall, the song's message is one of joy and anticipation for the upcoming holiday, with a subtle reminder to children to behave well in order to receive their desired gifts from Santa. The use of playful language and bright, upbeat instrumentals adds to the festive atmosphere of the song, making it a classic Christmas tune beloved by audiences of all ages.
Line by Line Meaning
I just came back from a lovely trip along the Milky Way
I went on a space journey and it was amazing.
Stopped off at the North Pole to spend a holiday
I visited the North Pole to have a vacation.
I called on dear old Santa Claus
I visited Santa Claus.
To see what I could see
To see what Santa is up to.
He took me to his workshop
Santa showed me his workshop.
And told his plans to me, so
He shared his plans with me.
You better watch out, you better not cry
Be careful, don't cry or get upset.
Better not pout, I'm telling you why
Don't be moody, let me explain why.
Santa Claus is comin' to town
Santa will be visiting soon.
He's making a list and checking it twice
Santa is creating a list and double-checking it.
Gonna find out who's naughty and nice
Santa will discover who has been good or bad.
He sees you when you're sleepin'
He can even see you sleeping.
He knows when you're a wake
He knows when you're awake.
He knows if you've been bad or good
He knows if you've been behaving well or not.
So be good for goodness sake
So, just be good and nothing else.
With little tin horns and little toy drums
There will be little musical instruments.
Rooty toot toots and rummy tum tums
These are sound effects of musical instruments.
And curly head dolls that toddle and coo
There will be curly-headed dolls that walk and make cute noises.
Elephants, boats, and kiddie cars too
There will be toys like elephants, boats, and cars for kids.
Then kids in Girl and Boy land will have a jubilee
Kids will have a great time with all these toys.
They're gonna build a Toyland all around the Christmas tree
They will make a Toyland near the Christmas tree.
Now Santa is a busy man, He has no time to play
Santa is very busy, he doesn't have time to play around.
He's got millions of stockings to fill on Christmas day
Santa has millions of stockings to fill as he delivers presents.
You'd better write your letter now
If you want something from Santa, you should write a letter to him now.
And mail it right away
And send it as soon as possible.
Because he's getting ready
Santa is preparing for Christmas.
His reindeer's and his sleigh. So
He is getting his reindeer and sleigh ready.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Coots, Haven Gillespie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind