Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band – ‘Santa Claus Is Coming To Town’

Writer: J.F. Coots and H. Gillespie
Producers: Bruce Springsteen, Mike Appel, and Jimmy Iovine
Recorded: December 12th, 1975, at C.W. Post College in Brookville, New York
Released: 1975 (to radio); 1981 (commercially)
Players:
Bruce Springsteen — vocals, guitar
“Miami” Steve Van Zandt — guitar, vocals
Garry Tallent — bass, vocals
Clarence Clemons — saxophone, vocals
Roy Bittan — piano
Danny Federici — organ
Max Weinberg — drums
Album: In Harmony 2 (compilation, Columbia, 1981)
Also On: Now That’s What I Call Christmas (Universal, 2001)
A jovial version of the holiday classic built on Phil Spector‘s 1963 arrangement, “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” was a regular holiday feature in Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band‘s shows before this version was recorded at a college show on the Born To Run tour.
It was quickly released to radio stations as a promotional-only track, and it became a staple during the holiday season. It also became a popular bootleg item as Springsteen fans clamored for its release.
The song finally saw a commercial release in 1981, when it was included on the children’s album In Harmony 2.
It was also included on a 12-inch promotional disc in 1984 for the Springsteen single “Born In The U.S.A.”