Switched on Pop   /     The many lives of "Santa Claus is Coming to Town"

Description

The first time you hear "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," it probably registers as just another cheery holiday standard. But hiding within this seemingly simple song is a remarkable story of American transformation - musical, technological, and social. Each time artists reimagine the song over its 90-year history, they leave an imprint not just of their own style, but of their entire cultural moment. Artists Discussed: Eddie Cantor Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters The Crystals Ella Fitzgerald Fred Astaire The Jackson Five Bruce Springsteen Justin Bieber Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Subtitle
The Christmas song that holds a mirror to American society
Duration
1985
Publishing date
2024-12-20 10:00
Contributors
  Vulture
author  
Enclosures
https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/524GE/traffic.megaphone.fm/VMP2026334641.mp3?updated=1734681862
audio/mpeg

Shownotes

The first time you hear "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," it probably registers as just another cheery holiday standard. But hiding within this seemingly simple song is a remarkable story of American transformation - musical, technological, and social. Each time artists reimagine the song over its 90-year history, they leave an imprint not just of their own style, but of their entire cultural moment.


Artists Discussed:

Eddie Cantor

Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters

The Crystals

Ella Fitzgerald

Fred Astaire

The Jackson Five

Bruce Springsteen

Justin Bieber

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices