About the song
Chris LeDoux’s “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town”: A Cowboy’s Christmas Cheer
While “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” is a holiday standard performed by countless artists across genres, Chris LeDoux’s rendition offers a unique, country-infused take on the classic. Released as part of various Christmas compilations, including Christmas for the 90’s Volume 3, LeDoux’s version injects a dose of Western charm and rugged authenticity into the familiar tune. This isn’t Bing Crosby or Perry Como; this is a cowboy celebrating Christmas, and that distinction makes all the difference.
Born in Mississippi but raised on the rodeo circuit, Chris LeDoux was a genuine cowboy, not just a performer playing a role. This authenticity permeated his music, giving his country sound a raw, honest edge. When he turned his attention to Christmas carols, the result was a blend of holiday cheer and Western grit, creating a sound that was both familiar and refreshingly different.
This rendition isn’t about vocal acrobatics or elaborate arrangements. It’s about capturing the spirit of the season with honesty and sincerity, delivered in a style that is uniquely Chris LeDoux. He doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel; he simply adds his own brand of Western flair, creating a version that is both respectful of the original and distinct in its own right.
For fans of Chris LeDoux and for those who appreciate a unique take on a holiday classic, this version of “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” is a must-listen. It’s a reminder that Christmas can be celebrated in many different ways, and that even a well-worn carol can be given new life through the lens of a true artist. It’s a testament to LeDoux’s ability to infuse any song, even a Christmas standard, with his unique cowboy spirit. This version is more than just a song; it’s a snapshot of a cowboy Christmas, a reminder of simpler times, and a testament to the enduring power of a classic melody.
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Lyrics
I just came back from a lovely trip along the Milky WayStopped off at the North Pole to spend a holidayI called on dear old Santa ClausTo see what I could seeHe took me to his workshopAnd told his plans to me, so[Chorus]You better watch out, you better not cryBetter not pout, I’m telling you whySanta Claus is comin’ to townHe’s making a list and checking it twiceGonna find out who’s naughty and niceSanta Claus is comin’ to townHe sees you when you’re sleepin’He knows when you’re a wakeHe knows if you’ve been bad or goodSo be good for goodness sakeOh! You better watch out, you better not cryBetter not pout, I’m telling you whySanta Claus is comin’ to townWith little tin horns and little toy drumsRooty toot toots and rummy tum tumsSanta Claus is comin’ to townAnd curly head dolls that toddle and cooElephants, boats, and kiddie cars tooSanta Claus is comin’ to townThen kids in Girl and Boy land will have a jubileeThey’re gonna build a Toyland all around the Christmas treeSo! You better watch out, you better not cryBetter not pout, I’m telling you whySanta Claus is comin’ to townNow Santa is a busy man, He has no time to playHe’s got millions of stockings to fill on Christmas dayYou’d better write your letter nowAnd mail it right awayBecause he’s getting readyHis reindeer’s and his sleigh. So[Chorus]With little tin horns and little toy drumsRooty toot toots and rummy tum tumsSanta Claus is comin’ to townAnd curly head dolls that toddle and cooElephants, boats, and kiddie cars tooSanta Claus is comin’ to townThen kids in Girl and Boy land will have a jubileeThey’re gonna build a Toyland all around the Christmas treeSo! You better watch out, you better not cryBetter not pout, I’m telling you whySanta Claus is comin’ to town