Another fun Christmas song most of us know (at least vaguely!) is “I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus” – in fact, I bet you are singing the title to yourself rather than just reading it. I know I hear the song whenever I think of it 🙂
Following on from the story behind “All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth” I thought I’d look into the story of some other Christmas favourites, starting with “I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus.”
The story behind Mommy kissing Santa
Tommie Connor, from London’s West End, wrote the song (music and lyrics).
It was first recorded by Jimmy Boyd (who was 13!) in July 1952 and reached the top of charts that December. The Catholic Church in Boston and other areas also banned it that year because it mixed Christmas and kissing! (I think that conversation deserves its own post so will leave it alone for now…)
Other artists have since recorded the song, including Spike Jones & his city slickers (who did the original front teeth recording), the Jackson 5, Amy Winehouse, John Mellancamp, the Ronettes and Tiny Tim. Although some have only sung the chorus and verse 2 rather than the full song as listed below.
A couple of artists have even sung it as “I saw Daddy kissing Santa Claus”!
This song is amongst the 25 most-played Christmas pop songs on American radio. It’s not played in Australia as much, I don’t think, as it’s not a song I have heard that often on the radio or in shops.
Have you come across it very much?
You can get the sheet music, too.
I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus lyrics
Christmas toys all over the place,
Little Johnny wears a funny smile on his face;
For Johnny has a secret,
And this secret he must share;
He wants to tell somebody,
So he tells his Teddy Bear…
I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus
Underneath the mistletoe last night;
She didn’t see me creep
Down the stairs to have a peep;
She thought that I was tucked up in my bedroom fast asleep.
Then, I saw Mommy tickle Santa Claus,
Underneath his beard so snowy white;
Oh, what a laugh it would have been
If Daddy had only seen Mommy kissing Santa Claus last night.
I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus
Underneath the mistletoe last night;
She didn’t see me creep
Down the stairs to have a peep;
She thought that I was tucked up in my bedroom fast asleep.
There is a movie based on the song made in 2002, starring Connie Sellecca. I haven’t seen it and it seems to be a family comedy movie. The reviews are not very encouraging but when you seen all the other Christmas movies, this might be enjoyable.
A little more info about the song:
This song was originally commissioned by the department store, Neiman Marcus, to promote their holiday card. Tommie Connor who wrote the music and lyrics, had a young man named Jimmy Boyd record the song just before Christmas. It took the number one spot on the Billboard charts in 1952, and a little known advertisement has gone on to become one of the most popular Christmas songs of all time.
A movie based on this song would either be fun – or a complete flop I suspect 🙂 I might see if I can find it though and watch it with my kids anyway.
I didn’t know it was commissioned as an ad. Nice change as so many songs are released then become known for an ad they were used with.
I didn’t know it was commissioned as an ad either however i do love the song, but i would like more of the movie to be about the song
So you’ve seen the movie Jennifer, and found it too far from the song?
Yes, there is a movie based on the song. It was a made for TV movie and its still aired on the basic cable channel ABC Family during the Christmas Season. There is no doubt this is a popular Christmas song, there have been several different versions recorded, and I think I hear them all in December on my radio station.
Our family is partial to the version sang by Michael Jackson and the Jackson Five. 🙂 Thanks again for the background information on these songs. It makes them that much more fun to sing during the holidays.
There was actually a time when we kid our younger brother. We somehow made a role play of this song. But, it was actually my dad dressed as Santa Claus! My brother exclaimed, “The song is true!” hehehehhe
There are so many stories of parents (and others) dressing up as Santa for a bit of fun at Christmas tiem – I’m sure Santa himself would be there for some of those games if he could 🙂
Thanks for sharing your Santa kissing Mum story, Vida 🙂
You’re right! I was actually singing when I read the title. I used to hear this song when I was little and I remembered it instantly because of the tune. It was catchy and funny, and it was only when I was older that I was able to understand the song for real – as Santa being a dressed up Dad.
Hohohohoho, darkmeiji – glad I’m not the only who starts singing this! It is very catchy.
I remember being old enough to understand Mum shouldn’t be kissing anyone but Dad so thinking this song was a ‘bit naughty’ – and still young enough to find that sort of naughty very funny in a giggly sort of way 🙂
Well, it is a really catchy song. I still sing it until now when Christmas is near (I just love Christmas songs!). Whoever thought of this song is really creative. I mean it is easy to write songs about Sta. Claus or giving gifts or cooking a Christmas feast (not I can write them myself – just saying it is easier relatively), but there is a lot more creativity in writing about a Christmas tradition of fathers dressing up as Sta. Claus and singing about how it would look like from a naive child’s eyes. Makes me remember when I was younger and I caught my father (who was not dressed as Sta. Claus) stuffing money into my Christmas stocking – my dad had a lot of explaining to do (he wanted to give me something extra he said). 🙂
It would certianly take imaginition to think about a simple event from a child’s perspective – and then it would be more fun to write than the traditional songs, I think (I also couldn’t do it so am only guessing, darkmeiji!)
I bet Dad wasn’t too happy to have you walk in at that time 🙂
I hate a lot of Christmas music, most especially the Little Drummer Boy. A more monotonous, soul-sucking drone I have never heard. Pa Rum Pa Pum Pum. Me and my drum.
The are only two Christmas caroles I have any real affection for: Joy to the World, and Hark! The Herald Angel Sings. I find both totally beautiful, and I’m in no way a Christian. Go figure.I especially like Joy to the World with kettle drum percussion and very loud singing. The best adjective for a good rendition of Joy should be ‘vaulting’. I’d love to hear a rendition.
Good to hear you like some of the uplifting Christmas songs, Charan 🙂 The Little Drummer Boy is also not one of my favourites, but I don’t hear it very much, either.
Do you like the fun songs like “I saw Mummy kissing Santa?”
He was not very happy, you can say that! But I am happy finding something inside my Christmas stocking so everybody wins!
Yes, you’d be hard pressed to find anyone not happy finding gifts in their stocking on Christmas morning!