Forming in the wake of the early-'60s success of local favorites the Kingsmen and the Wailers (whose Etiquette label they recorded for), the Sonics combined classic Northwest-area teen band raunch with early English band grit (particularly influenced by the Kinks), relentless rhythmic drive, and unabashed '50s-style blues shouting for a combination that still makes their brand of rock & roll perhaps the raunchiest ever captured on wax.
Lead singer Gerry Roslie was no less than a white Little Richard, whose harrowing soul-screams were startling even to the Northwest teen audience, who liked their music powerful and driving with little regard to commercial subtleties. With hit after hit on the local charts (and influencing every local band that ever took the stage), the band inexplicably was never able to break out nationally, leaving its sound largely undiluted for mass consumption. Breaking up between 1966 and 1968 (after one ill-fated album attempt to water down their style for national attention), the Sonics continue today to be revered by '60s collectors the world over for their unique brand of rock & roll raunch.
In 2007, The Sonics reunited again, this time for the Cavestomp garage rock festival in Brooklyn (November 2-4, 2007). The line up featured original members Gerry Roslie on vocals/keyboards, Larry Parypa on guitar and Rob Lind on tenor sax; with Ricky Lynn Johnson (of The Wailers) on drums and Don Wilhelm (of The Daily Flash) on bass and vocals.
In 2008, The Sonics recorded a live session for Mark Lamarr's BBC Radio 2 show God's Jukebox on March 22. They played their first ever shows in London on Friday March 21 and Sunday March 23.
Since then, they have played the Primavera Festival in Barcelona, followed by Bilbao, then Belgium, Norway, and the Azkena Rock Festival in Vitoria in the Basque Country.
Their first show in their home region since their last Seattle reunion in 1972 was on Halloween 31 October 2008 at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle, where they were introduced and joined onstage for a couple numbers by Steven Van Zandt. Kent Morrill (front man of the Wailers) made a surprise appearance to help sing his signature song "Dirty Robber". Bob Bennett was also present to sit in on drums albeit only for a few songs and only while Ricky Lynn Johnson played in unison.
Santa Claus
The Sonics Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've been waiting here just to let you in
Yeah, Santa Claus, what you got on your back?
Is there something for me inside that sack?
I want a brand new car, a twangy guitar
A cute little honey and lots of money
Santa Claus, won't you tell me please?
And he just said:
"Nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing
Nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing
Yeah, Santa Claus, I've been waiting oh so long
Now don't you, don't you do me wrong
I want a brand new car, a twangy guitar
A cute little honey and lots of money
Santa Claus, won't you tell me please?
Whatcha gonna put under my Christmas tree?
And he just said:
"Nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing
Nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing"
Ah no
I'm gonna get nothing for Christmas
Santa Claus, won't you tell me?
Oh do I get something
The Sonics's song "Santa Claus" is a traditional, upbeat Christmas track with a rock and roll twist. In this song, the singer addresses Santa Claus directly with a list of Christmas gift requests. The lyrics speak to the excitement of Christmas and the anticipation of receiving presents. In the first verse, the singer asks Santa Claus where he has been and invites him inside. He then questions what Santa Claus has in his sack and asks if he has something for him. In the following verse, the singer lists the items he wants for Christmas, including a new car, guitar, money, and a girlfriend. He implores Santa Claus to tell him what he will be putting under his Christmas tree.
However, the tone changes abruptly in the final verse of the song when Santa Claus responds with a firm "nothing" to the singer's requests. The disappointment of not receiving any presents from Santa Claus is palpable as the song ends abruptly after the repeated line of "nothing."
The song reflects both the joys and disappointments of the holiday season, capturing the anxieties and excitement surrounding Christmas presents. The repetition of the line "nothing" at the end of the song highlights the potential for disappointment during the holiday season, as well as the fleeting nature of material possessions.
Overall, "Santa Claus" is a classic holiday tune that blends rock and roll attitude with the traditional spirit of Christmas.
Line by Line Meaning
Santa Claus, where have you been?
Addressing Santa Claus with a question about his whereabouts
I've been waiting here just to let you in
Expressing excitement about seeing Santa and letting him in
Santa Claus, what you got on your back?
Asking Santa about the contents of the sack he carries on his back
Is there something for me inside that sack?
Inquiring if there are any gifts for the artist in the sack
I want a brand new car, a twangy guitar
Listing the material possessions the artist desires for Christmas
A cute little honey and lots of money
Adding to the list of desired gifts by mentioning a romantic partner and wealth
Santa Claus, won't you tell me please?
Requesting information from Santa about what gifts he will bring
Whatcha gonna put under my Christmas tree?
Asking Santa what gifts he will put under the artist's tree
And he just said:
Transitioning to Santa's response to the artist's request for gifts
"Nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing
Santa's blunt and negative answer to the artist's request for gifts
Nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing
Repeating Santa's response for emphasis
Yeah, Santa Claus, I've been waiting oh so long
Expressing the artist's long wait for Santa's arrival and gifts
Now don't you, don't you do me wrong
Implying that the lack of gifts from Santa would be a letdown and hurt feelings
Ah no
Expressing disappointment
I'm gonna get nothing for Christmas
Stating the singer's belief that they will not receive any gifts for Christmas
Santa Claus, won't you tell me?
Repeating the request for information about the gifts Santa will bring
Oh do I get something
Asking again if there will be any gifts for the artist
Lyrics © MUSIC & MEDIA INT'L, INC.
Written by: Gerald Roslie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@costas303
Yeah, Santa Claus, where have you been?
I've been waiting here just to let you in.
Yeah, Santa Claus, what you got on your back?
Is there something for me inside that sack?
I want a brand new car, a twangy guitar
a cute little honey and lots of money.
Santa Claus, won't you tell me please?
Whatcha gonna put under my Christmas tree?
And he just said:
"Nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing,
Nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing."
Yeah, Santa Claus, I've been waiting oh so long.
Now don't you, don't you do me wrong.
I want a brand new car, a twangy guitar
a cute little honey and lots of money.
Santa Claus, oh won't you tell me please?
Whatcha gonna put under my Christmas tree?
And he just said:
"Nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing,
Nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing"
Ah no
Ah no, nothing for Christmas
Santa Claus, won't you tell me?
@HemiVic
In 1991 I played this great Christmas song by the Legendary Sonics on my radio show “Chicago Gold” on 104.7 WCFL “Super CFL” in Chicago!
@harryangel6965
Best solo guitar ever
@mmr5948
best xmas tune ever.
@mmr5948
BEST Seattle band ever!!
@kirkpeffers5918
Uh, TACOMA band.
@DrBrianZ
Originally recorded for The Wailers' Etiquette Records in Tacoma.
@randallhesse5011
Recording studio was on 6th avenue. I believe a taco bell was built on the place where it used to be.
@scottlevison7994
Sucks that this hardly gets any airplay diring the holiday season....
@costas303
Yeah, Santa Claus, where have you been?
I've been waiting here just to let you in.
Yeah, Santa Claus, what you got on your back?
Is there something for me inside that sack?
I want a brand new car, a twangy guitar
a cute little honey and lots of money.
Santa Claus, won't you tell me please?
Whatcha gonna put under my Christmas tree?
And he just said:
"Nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing,
Nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing."
Yeah, Santa Claus, I've been waiting oh so long.
Now don't you, don't you do me wrong.
I want a brand new car, a twangy guitar
a cute little honey and lots of money.
Santa Claus, oh won't you tell me please?
Whatcha gonna put under my Christmas tree?
And he just said:
"Nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing,
Nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing"
Ah no
Ah no, nothing for Christmas
Santa Claus, won't you tell me?
@1956MercM260
Best Christmas song ever! :)