"" Writer's Wanderings: Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town

Tuesday, December 07, 2010

Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town


The year was 1933. James Lamont Gillespie had just received word that his brother had passed away when a friend contacted him and strongly encouraged him to produce a song for Eddie Cantor who was looking for a new upbeat holiday song to record. Gillespie tried to convince him that he was in no mood for song writing but his friend persisted and as Gillespie rode the subway lost in thoughts of his childhood and times spent with his brother, a poem began to form in his head.

He remembered his mother's admonition to her children to be good because Santa was coming and that Santa could tell when they were bad or good. On an old envelope he began to jot down his thoughts. Later, he approached his friend John Coots to write the music.

"Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" was recognized by Cantor for its potential and he introduced it to the world on his nationwide broadcast from Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade in New York City. Afterward, records and sheet music sold at an incredible rate and the song has remained one of the most popular of the season.

One more reason to visit NYC at the holiday season. It's the birthplace of one of America's favorite holiday songs.

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