Santa Baby

"Santa Baby" is a 1953 Christmas song written by Joan Javits (the niece of Jacob K. Javits), Philip Springer, and Tony Springer.

The song is a tongue in cheek look at a Christmas list sung by a woman who wants the most extravagant gifts like sable, yachts and decorations from Tiffany's.

Original recording

"Santa Baby" was originally sung and recorded in 1953 by Eartha Kitt. The song was a huge hit for Kitt, and she later said that it was one of her favorite songs to record. A sequel, "This Year's Santa Baby", was recorded by Kitt in 1954, to no commercial success; Kitt also reprised the original song for a 1963 re-recording with a more uptempo arrangement (Madonna's popular rendition for the 1987 charity album "A Very Special Christmas" is based on this latter version). The song gained considerable exposure after it was featured in the 1989 film "Driving Miss Daisy".

Cover versions

"Santa Baby" has been covered in recorded and live performances by many other female artists throughout the years, including Maria Muldaur, Everclear, RuPaul, Taylor Horn, Madonna, Jhene, Macy Gray, Natalie Merchant, Faith Evans, Boney James, Kylie Minogue, The Pussycat Dolls, LeAnn Rimes, Kellie Pickler, and Taylor Swift as well as in an "Ally McBeal" episode by the title character (Calista Flockhart), by Chris Mitchell, and by The Swingle Singers. Miss Piggy sang the song in the film "It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie"; and recorded another version for the album "A Green and Red Christmas".

The version recorded by the Pussycat Dolls entered the Top 70 Billboard charts in the Philippines, peaking at #22. Although it was a b-side the song picked up radio airplay in the Philippines. This version also appeared as track 1 on CD 1 of "The Perfect Christmas" 2006 album.

Rev Run has also re-recorded this song for "A Very Special Christmas, Vol. 3".

In December 2007, Kylie Minogue's version of the song reached #76 in the UK due to download sales. She used it as a b-side to her single "Over The Rainbow".

References