Santa Claus Is Back in Town facts for kids

Quick facts for kids "Santa Claus Is Back in Town"
Song by Elvis Presley
from the album Elvis' Christmas Album
Language	English
Published	Elvis Presley Music, Inc.
Released	October 15, 1957
Recorded	September 7, 1957 (1957-09-07)
Genre	Christmas rock and roll blues
Length	2:25
Label	RCA Victor
Songwriter(s)	Leiber-Stoller
Producer(s)	Leiber-Stoller
Elvis Presley singles chronology
"Puppet on a String" "Santa Claus Is Back in Town" "Tell Me Why"

"Santa Claus Is Back in Town" is a popular Christmas song. It was written in 1957 by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. The famous singer Elvis Presley was the first to record it that same year. It was the first song on his album Elvis' Christmas Album. This album became the best-selling Christmas album ever in the United States. This song is now a classic rock and roll Christmas tune.

The song was released as a single in the UK in 1957. It was paired with "Santa, Bring My Baby Back to Me". This single reached number 7 on the UK Singles Chart. In 1965, RCA Victor released the song in the US. It was paired with "Blue Christmas". This single reached number 4 on the Billboard Christmas Singles chart. The "Blue Christmas"/"Santa Claus is Back in Town" single was certified Platinum in 1999. This means it sold over one million copies!

What the Song Is About

The song is a fun, bluesy Christmas tune. The singer pretends to be Santa Claus. But this Santa doesn't have a sleigh or reindeer. Instead, he says he will arrive in a "big black Cadillac". He promises to visit on Christmas Eve. The song uses a classic twelve-bar blues style.

Where to Find the Song

"Santa Claus Is Back in Town" has been on many albums. It was on the first Elvis' Christmas Album in 1957. It also appeared on later versions of the album. You can find it on other Christmas collections too. In 2008, Elvis's album Christmas Duets featured the song. He sang it as a duet with Wynonna Judd. The song also opens the 2017 album Christmas with Elvis and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

1957 UK sheet music cover, Belinda Ltd., Southern Music, London

Who Played on the Song

"Santa Claus Is Back In Town" was recorded on September 7, 1957. The recording took place in Hollywood, California. Here are the talented musicians who played on the song:

• Elvis Presley – He sang the main vocals.
• Scotty Moore – He played the guitar.
• Bill Black – He played the bass.
• D. J. Fontana – He played the drums.
• Dudley Brooks – He played the piano.
• Millie Kirkham and The Jordanaires (Gordon Stoker, Neal Matthews Jr., Hoyt Hawkins, and Hugh Jarrett) – They sang the backing vocals.

Other Artists Who Covered It

Many other musicians have recorded this song.

• Dwight Yoakam put the song on his 1997 Christmas album Come On Christmas. His version reached number 60 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
• The Royal Court of China, a band from Nashville, also covered it. They recorded it with Elvis Presley's original band members. These included D. J. Fontana, Scotty Moore, and The Jordanaires.
• Robert Plant and The Honeydrippers performed the song. They sang it on Saturday Night Live in 1984.
• Jonny Lang included it on the 1997 album A Very Special Christmas 3.
• Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul covered the song. It was for the 2018 movie The Christmas Chronicles.

How the Song Charted

The song was very popular on music charts. It was a top ten hit in the UK. It also reached the top five on the US Billboard Christmas Singles chart.

Elvis Presley's Chart Success

1980 Re-release Chart

Dwight Yoakam's Chart Success

Movie Appearances

You might have heard "Santa Claus Is Back in Town" in these movies:

• Iron Man 3 (2013)
• Fred Claus (2007)
• Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
• C.R.A.Z.Y. (2005)
• The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996)
• Bad Santa 2 (2016)
• The Christmas Chronicles (2018)