"Santa Baby" is a 1953 Christmas song written by Joan Javits (the niece of Senator Jacob K. Javits) and Philip Springer. Although Tony Springer is listed as co-writer,[1] he was a legal fiction created for purposes of membership in the performing rights organization Broadcast Music, Inc.
The song is a tongue-in-cheek look at a Christmas list sung by a woman who wants extravagant gifts such as sables, yachts, and decorations from Tiffany's. It is one of the few hit Christmas songs written by a woman.
Original recording[]
The song was originally recorded by Eartha Kitt with Henri René and his orchestra in New York City on October 6, 1953. It was released by RCA Victor Records as catalog number 20-5502 (in the USA),[2] and by EMI on the His Master's Voice label as catalog number B 10728. It was a huge hit for Kitt, and she later said that it was one of her favorite songs to record; she reprised it in the 1954 film New Faces. She also reprised the original version in a 1963 re-recording for Kapp Records, with a more uptempo arrangement (Madonna's popular rendition for the 1987 charity album A Very Special Christmas was based on this latter version). In 1954, she recorded a new version of it with new lyrics titled "This Year's Santa Baby", to no commercial success. Writers listed didn't change.
The song is also heard in the Driving Miss Daisy (1989), and Boynton Beach Club (2005).
Cover versions[]
The song has been covered in recorded and live performances by many artists throughout the years, including Maria Muldaur, Everclear, RuPaul, Homer and Jethro, Taylor Swift, and LeAnn Rimes, among others.
Lyrics[]
Santa baby, just slip a sable under the tree for me
Been an awful good girl, Santa baby
So hurry down the chimney tonight
Santa baby, a '54 convertible too, light blue
I'll wait up for you dear, Santa baby
So hurry down the chimney tonight
Think of all the fun I've missed
Think of all the fellas that I haven't kissed
Next year I could be just as good...if you check off my Christmas list
Santa baby, I want a yacht and really that's not a lot
Been an angel all year, Santa baby
So hurry down the chimney tonight
[Instrumental intermission]
Santa honey, one little thing I really do need...
The deed...to a platinum mine Santa baby
So hurry down the chimney tonight
Santa cutie and fill my stocking with the duplex and checks
Sign your 'X' on the line, Santa cutie
And hurry down the chimney tonight
Come and trim my Christmas tree with some decorations bought at Tiffany's
I really do believe in you
Let's see if you believe in me...
Santa baby, forgot to mention one little thing...a ring...
I don't mean on the phone, Santa baby
So hurry down the chimney tonight
Hurry down the chimney tonight
Hurry...tonight
Appearances in Christmas media[]
- Eartha Kitt
- Mixed Nuts (1994)
- Friday After Next (2002)
- ELF (2003)
- P2 (2007)
- 2011 Britain's Favourite Christmas Songs
- Cannonball: "Christmas Cannonball" (2017)
- Others
- Santa, Baby! (2001) - Vanessa Williams, Patti LaBelle and Kitt
- Deck the Halls (2006) - Transcenders featuring Terry Dexter
- The Holiday and Santa Baby (2006) - Kylie Minogue
- This Christmas (2007) - Lina
- Santa Baby 2: Christmas Maybe (2007) - Amber Stevens West
- That Time of Year (2018)
- Spirited (2021) - Maria Z
- Best. Christmas. Ever. (2023) - Serena Ryder
- Uncredited
- Eartha Kitt
- The Sopranos: "...To Save Us All From Satan's Power" (2001)
- The O.C.: "The Best Chrismukkah Ever" (2003)
- Miss Match: "Santa, Baby" (2003)
- Psych: "Christmas Joy" (2008)
- Pose: "Giving and Receiving" (2018)
- Ted Lasso: "Carol of the Bells" (2021)
- Others
- The Tracey Ullman Show: "Santa Baby" (1988) and The Simpsons: "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" (1989) - Tracey Ullman
- Ally McBeal: "Blue Christmas" (1999) - Jane Krakowski and Calista Flockhart
- It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie (2002) - Miss Piggy
- My Name is Earl: "White Lie Christmas" (2005)
- Nip/Tuck: "Duke Collins" (2007)
- Gossip Girl: "Roman Holiday" (2007) - The Constance Billard Choir
- Lady Gaga & the Muppets' Holiday Spectacular (2013) - Lady Gaga
- Fellow Travelers: "Your Nuts Roasting on an Open Fire" (2023) - Noah J. Ricketts
Albums[]
- A Very Special Christmas (1987) - Madonna
- A Very Special Christmas 3 (1997) - Rev Run and the Christmas All-Stars featuring Mase, Puff Daddy, Snoop Doggy Dogg, Salt-n-Pepa, Onyx and Keith Murray
- Now That's What I Call Christmas!: The Signature Collection (2003) - Kylie Minogue
- Now That's What I Call Christmas! 3 (2006) - The Pussycat Dolls
- The Muppets: A Green and Red Christmas (2006) - Miss Piggy [also used in Disney Christmas Magic (2019)]
- Songs to Celebrate 25 Days of Christmas (2009)
- Michael Bublé: Christmas (2011)
- Glee: The Music, the Christmas Album Volume 2 (2011) - Naya Rivera [cut from "Extraordinary Merry Christmas"]
References[]
- ↑ songwriting credit details songfacts
- ↑ RCA Victor Records in the 20-5000 to 20-5999 series
content from Wikipedia (view authors). |
![]() |