Recordings
The earliest known recorded version of the song was by banjoist Harry Reser and his band on October 24, 1934 (Decca 264A) featuring Tom Stacks on vocal, the version shown in the Variety charts of December 1934. The song was a sheet music hit, reaching #1. The song was also recorded on September 26, 1935, by Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra.
The song is a traditional standard at Christmas time, and has been covered by numerous recording artists. In 1970 Rankin-Bass produced an hour-long animated television special based on the song, with narrator Fred Astaire telling the original story of Santa Claus. Jazz guitarist Royce Campbell recorded the song on his 2004 CD, A Jazz Guitar Christmas.
Many contemporary artists have recorded and performed various versions of the song, including a famous rock and roll version by Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band. The song was almost exclusively played when the band was on tour in the weeks leading up to Christmas, and during these performances, late E Street Band member Clarence Clemons would perform the role of Santa, filling in with many ho ho ho's and often wearing a Christmas hat. The song was recorded in a 1975 live version and eventually released as a B-side to "My Hometown", a single from the Born in the U.S.A. album.
Mariah Carey recorded the song for her album Merry Christmas (1994).
Justin Bieber recorded the song for his album Under the Mistletoe (2011), and filmed an accompanying animated music video.
Read more about this topic: Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
Famous quotes containing the word recordings:
“All radio is dead. Which means that these tape recordings I’m making are for the sake of future history. If any.”
—Barré Lyndon (1896–1972)