Countdown to Christmas: Ten Great Rock ‘n’ Roll Songs About Santa Claus (Part 1 of 2)

Hey, there are less than 365 days until Christmas! Ring in the season early!

The enduring myth of Santa Claus has been a part of Western culture for centuries. The modern concept of Santa was captured on “Must Be Santa,” the 1960 novelty single by Mitch Miller: “cap on head, suit of red, special night, beard that’s white.” But that modern image had settled into the popular mindset decades earlier when the Coca-Cola Company included depictions of Santa in its print advertising.

As a ubiquitous and beloved character in pop culture, it was inevitable that Santa Claus would find his way into one of the 20^th century’s foremost vehicles for arts and entertainment: rock ‘n’ roll. In celebration of the season, I’m taking a chronological look at ten rock ‘n’ roll classics featuring jolly old Saint Nick (plus a mischievous bonus track that pokes fun at the holiday music subgenre). And as my belated Christmas gift to you, a Spotify playlist with these songs can be found at https://tinyurl.com/rocknrollsanta

10. “Little Saint Nick” – The Beach Boys (single, 1963)
An American institution, the Beach Boys released their first single in 1961. By ‘63 they were one of the most popular groups in the nation. Bassist, primary songwriter and leader Brian Wilson was still coming into his role as one of pop music’s most important figures when the group made The Beach Boys’ Christmas Album, their seventh long-player. Released as a single from that LP, “Little Saint Nick” (backed with non-album track “The Lord’s Prayer”) made it to #25 on Billboard’s singles chart in December 1963.

9. “Sock it to Me Santa” – Bob Seger & the Last Heard (single, 1966)
Detroit rocker Bob Seger enjoyed his most widespread success beginning in the mid 1970s, with blockbuster albums Night Moves, Stranger in Town and Live Bullet. But Seger was no overnight success: he worked hard in the studio and onstage for years before his big break. In the 1960s he released a number of catchy singles including the satirical “Ballad of the Yellow Beret.” With his band the Last Heard, he released five singles including this somewhat overlooked (and non-charting) holiday-themed tune.

8. “Back Door Santa” – Clarence Carter (single, 1968)
A funky blues with a deep groove and soulful horns, “Back Door Santa” is a swaggering tune filled with sly double entendres, exploring the metaphorical meanings in words like chimney and the phenomenon of “coming but once a year.” Blind since birth, the Alabama-born singer, guitarist and producer chalked up two dozen charting singles including 1968’s “Slip Away” (pop #6, r&b #2) and “Patches (pop #4, r&b #2).

7. “I Believe in Father Christmas” – Greg Lake (single, 1975)
Emerson Lake & Palmer were renowned for their progressive rock pyrotechnics and virtuoso musicianship. Lead vocalist, guitarist and bassist Greg Lake was also a top-notch lyricist, with a sonorous voice. This acerbic look at the holidays features some of his best lyrics, including the memorable couplet, “Hallelujah noël / be it Heaven or Hell / the Christmas we get we deserve.” “I Believe in Father Christmas” was released as a Greg Lake single, but it was also included on ELP’s 1977 album Works Vol. 2.

6. “Father Christmas” – The Kinks (single, 1977)
Led by brothers Ray and Dave Davies, London-based band the Kinks went through several phases during their time together (1963-1997). Starting off as a hard-driving, r&b based group, they blossomed into a sophisticated and literate outfit featuring Ray’s superb and insightful lyrics. By the late ‘60s and early ‘70s they had moved toward conceptual works, but by the mid-to-late ‘70s they were back in hooky, hard-rocking territory and mainstream success. Their holiday-themed 1977 single combines all of the band’s best attributes: humor, wit and melody.

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