Santa Claus is Coming to Town - Bruce Springsteen (1975) 12/24/20

On December 12th 1975, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street band were in a Holly Jolly mood when they took the stage at C.W. Post College in Brookville, New York.

At the end of the concert, they launched into “Santa Claus is Comin' to Town,” using the alternate melody first performed by the Crystals in 1963. (See link below,)

Bruce talked and laughed his way through it, and the group could barely keep it together. It was ragged and raw and a whole lot of fun—for the band AND the crowd! (Clarence Clemons really wailed on the saxophone solo!)

I'm cheating a bit because the song wasn't officially released until 1982—on, believe it or not, a “Sesame Street” compilation album called “In Harmony II!”

At that point, it became a “Great Christmas Song of the '80s That Was Actually From The '70s!”

(I just made up that new category!) :-)

For the last 38 years, Bruce's version has been a Christmas staple on radio stations everywhere! And the band still plays it at concerts during Holiday season.

Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band:

For reference purposes, here's The Crystals' version from 1963: