in 1994, henry krieger and i were invited to write a new opening number for the radio city music hall christmas spectacular which continued in the new york production until this year … as the original lyric was very specific to new york and radio city, one of my main sources of income over the past few years has been rewriting it for different cities where the christmas spectacular has toured … this year they requested a generic lyric which would work anywhere, so that ride is over — fun though it was … last year around this time i was doing a cabaret show called belters we have heard on high and included this version of the song, incorporating some of the different lines i wrote for different cities …
new york is a magical place to be at christmas
especially at radio city music hall
though the trip coming in
left some ice on my skin
my spirits rise
as temperatures fall
’cause i know how to warm these bones up
from the top of my cap to the tip of my sock
cranking the beat up
will warm these old feet up
help me turn the heat up
’cause santa’s gonna rock!
santa’s gonna rock
santa’s gonna roll
santa’s gonna shake like jelly in a bowl
i’m not gonna walk
i’m not gonna stroll
santa’s gonna rock and roll
santa’s gonna twist
santa’s gonna shout
santa’s gonna shake that old year out
rockin’ on down
from that old north pole
santa’s gonna rock and roll
los angeles!
we’re singing noel
in the sand and the sun
no time to rest
’cause we’re on the run
shopping to do
shows to enjoy
wishes come true
for each girl and boy
we’re takin’ a break
we’re stoppin’ the clock
i’m a santa ana santa – watch me rock!
santa’s gonna clap
santa’s gonna swing
santa’s gonna make the sleigh bells ring
i’m not playin’ brahms
i’m not playin’ bach
santa’s gonna rock, rock, rock!
detroit!
he loves coming south
this time of the year
to that mo-town, snow-town atmosphere
dallas!
he loves the big d
and old cow-town too
so santa’s gonna rock
santa’s gonna rock
rock with you
from the stockyards out to s.m.u.!
let’s celebrate
with santa’s new beat
cut up a rug
and dance down the street
let’s raise the roof
let’s shake the block
santa’s here to make
atlanta and boston and bramson and buffalo
and chicago and columbus and cleveland
and denver and ft. lauderdale and indianapolis
and milwaukee and minneapolis and phoenix
and st. louis and seattle and tampa rock!
santa’s gonna jump
santa’s gonna slide
santa’s gonna jiggle like a carnival ride
a new kind of beat
for that jolly old soul
santa’s gonna rock
rock and roll
5 replies on “santa’s gonna rock and roll”
hi,
anywhere I can download the santa’s going to twist song?
hi, i’m trying to locate a copy for you — it’s called “santa’s gonna rock and roll”
I’m trying to locate information, sheet music, permissions, etc. for Santa’s Gonna Rock and Roll. I tried the licensing page thru Rogers & Hammerstein, but could not get that to work (issues with the web page). Is this song available for purchase or hire? I’m interested in considering it for a local community outreach Christmas show. (More info available if you like.)
Thank you!
Freddie
hi freddie,
i can get you that song … i’ll have to scan it and it’s quite long because i have the radio city orchestration … could you send $10 US to my paypal account: billboyruss@aol.com?
thanks
bill
Hi Bill, I’d also love to have a copy and am happy to send you $10. We were both in a songwriter’s night at the Duplex a while back, and I’m a big fan of your music. Happy holidays!