Song: Santa Claus is coming tonight
Belle mélodie de Christmas
Origin of the song
Santa Claus arrive ce soir est un chant de Noël écrit par J. Fred Coots et Haven Gillespie, sous le titre anglophone « Santa Claus Is Coming to Town ». Il fut chanté pour la toute première fois en novembre 1934, lors de l’émission de radio d’Eddie Cantor. Le succès fut instantané, et au lendemain, 100 000 copies de la musique furent commandées, et plus de 400 000 furent vendues à Noël.
This carol was often used to remind children that they should be good all year round, as Santa Claus knew everything about their behavior. Even today, this carol is hummed to children to remind them that they must behave well if they want to receive presents on Christmas Eve.
The earliest known recorded version was by banjoist Harry Reser and his orchestra on October 24, 1934. It was so successful that it reached number one on the charts. The song was also recorded on September 26, 1935, by Tommy Dorsey and his orchestra.
Santa Claus Is Coming to Town was also the subject of a 1970 television special, in which Fred Astaire narrated the original story of Santa Claus.
There doesn't seem to be any record of who translated the song into French. But it's safe to assume that it soon crossed the borders of some French-speaking countries, as it has been a traditional Christmas carol for several decades.
In Quebec, many artists have recorded "Santa Claus is coming tonight." Michèle Richard, Marie-Élaine Thibert, Ginette Reno, Martin Deschamps, Frédérik DeGrandpré, and Céline Dion are among them. In the 1970s, Lucien Hétu also played it on the organ on one of his many albums.
As for the English-speaking artists who have performed Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, they number in the dozens: Frank Sinatra, Dolly Parton, Diana Ross, Laurence Welk, The Jackson 5, Ray Charles
Bruce Springsteen, Chicago, Cyndi Lauper and Maria Carey are just a few.
Video (Youtube)
Celine Dion
Music video with scrolling lyrics
Musical
Lyrics French version
I saw a sleigh pass by during the night
I saw your great friend too
Santa Claus is coming tonight
He was going towards you in the chimney
He was going to you to drop off
Toys in your silk stocking
And when the day comes
You will get up
And then in turn
You will open all the gifts you see
You're going to have fun
You're going to laugh
But we must not forget
To be good all year round
I saw a sleigh pass by during the night
I saw your great friend too
Santa Claus is coming tonight
He was going towards you in the chimney
He was going to you to drop off
Toys in your silk stocking
Well you'll have to sleep.
Without making any sigh
Even if you don't want to
You will have to stay in bed
I saw a sleigh pass by during the night
I saw your great friend too
Santa Claus is coming tonight
Santa Claus is coming tonight
English version lyrics
You better watch out
You better not cry
Better not pout
I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town
He's making a list,
And checking it twice;
Gonna find out Who's naughty and nice.
Santa Claus is coming to town
He sees you when you're sleeping
He knows when you're awake
He knows if you've been bad or good
So be good for goodness sake!
O! You better watch out!
You better not cry.
Better not pout, I'm telling you why.
Santa Claus is coming to town.
Santa Claus is coming to town.
