Founded in Detroit, Michigan, United States in 1959, The Supremes began as a quartet called The Primettes. Founding members Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson, Diana Ross, and Betty McGlown, all from the Brewster-Douglas public housing project in Detroit, were the sister act to The Primes (later The Temptations). In 1960, Barbara Martin replaced McGlown, and the group signed with Motown in 1961 as The Supremes. Martin left at the end of 1961, and Ross, Ballard, and Wilson carried on as a trio. After they achieved success in the mid-1960s with Ross as the lead singer, Motown president Berry Gordy renamed the group Diana Ross & the Supremes in 1967, and replaced Ballard with Cindy Birdsong. Ross left the group for a solo career in 1970, and was replaced by Jean Terrell. After 1972, the lineup of the Supremes changed frequently, with Lynda Laurence, Scherrie Payne, and Susaye Greene all becoming members before the group ended its eighteen-year existence in 1977.
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
The Supremes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Look out, Santa's comin', comin'
Look out, Santa's comin', comin'
Look out, Santa's comin', comin'
Oh, you better watch out, you better not cry
You better not pout, I'm tellin' you why
Santa Claus is comin' to town
Gonna find out who's naughty or nice
Santa Claus is comin' to town
He knows when you're a-sleepin' (sleepin' sleepin)
He knows when you're awake (peepin', peepin')
He knows when you've been bad or good
So be good for goodness sake
Oh, you better watch out, you better not cry
You better not pout, I'm tellin' you why
Santa Claus is comin' to town
Look out, Santa's comin', comin'
Look out, Santa's comin', comin'
Santa Claus is comin' to town
Look out, Santa's comin', comin'
Look out, Santa's comin', comin'
Santa Claus is comin' to town
He knows when you are sleepin' (sleepin', sleepin')
He knows when you're awake (peepin', peepin')
He knows when you've been bad or good
So be good for goodness sake
Oh, you better watch out, you better not pout
You better not cry, I'm tellin' you why
Santa Claus is comin' to town
Santa Claus is comin' to town
Santa Claus is comin' to town (look out, Santa's comin', comin')
You know the guy with the whiskers? (Look out, Santa's comin', comin')
That guy is comin' to town
The Supremes's rendition of "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" is a lively, upbeat version of the classic holiday tune. The lyrics of the song speak of the legend of Santa Claus, who inexplicably knows who is "naughty or nice," and therefore, who is deserving of presents from him. The song serves as a reminder to children that being good is crucial to getting what they want from the jolly old man dressed in red. The repetition of the phrase "Look out, Santa's comin', comin'" throughout the song is catchy and adds to the festive feeling of the song.
The first verse of the song warns children to behave before Christmas. Santa Claus is portrayed as a watchful figure who is vigilant in his attempts to find out who are the good kids and who are the bad ones; he is always checking his list twice. The second verse is equally cautionary and emphasizes the point that he knows everything about every child. He knows them better than they know themselves. Although the final verse is repeating the same message again, it's added to connect with the listener to brace themselves because Santa Claus is coming to town.
Line by Line Meaning
Woo!
An exclamation indicating excitement or enthusiasm
Look out, Santa's comin', comin'
Be alert and attentive, Santa is on his way
Oh, you better watch out, you better not cry
You should be careful, and not cry
You better not pout, I'm tellin' you why
Don't sulk, let me tell you the reason
Santa Claus is comin' to town
Santa is on his way to visit
He's makin' a list, he's checkin' it twice
Santa is preparing a list, and checking it twice
Gonna find out who's naughty or nice
He will determine who has been bad or good
He knows when you're a-sleepin' (sleepin' sleepin)
He is fully aware when you are asleep
He knows when you're awake (peepin', peepin')
He also knows when you are awake
He knows when you've been bad or good
He knows when you have been good or bad
So be good for goodness sake
It is time for you to be good, for goodness sake
Santa Claus is comin' to town
Santa is on his way to visit
Look out, Santa's comin', comin'
Be alert and attentive, Santa is on his way
Santa Claus is comin' to town
Santa is on his way to visit
He knows when you are sleepin' (sleepin', sleepin')
He knows when you are sleeping
He knows when you're awake (peepin', peepin')
He knows when you are awake
He knows when you've been bad or good
He knows when you have been good or bad
So be good for goodness sake
It is time for you to be good, for goodness sake
Oh, you better watch out, you better not pout
You should be careful, and not sulk
You better not cry, I'm tellin' you why
Don't cry, let me tell you the reason
Santa Claus is comin' to town
Santa is on his way to visit
Santa Claus is comin' to town
Santa is on his way to visit
Look out, Santa's comin', comin'
Be alert and attentive, Santa is on his way
Look out, Santa's comin', comin'
Be alert and attentive, Santa is on his way
Santa Claus is comin' to town
Santa is on his way to visit
You know the guy with the whiskers? (Look out, Santa's comin', comin')
Do you know the person with the beard? Be alert as Santa is on his way
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Coots, Haven Gillespie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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