12 Worst Christmas Songs: No. 8

'Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town'
--Bruce Springsteen (1981)

Even though he's darn near as sainted as St. Nick himself, Bruce is capable of laying the occasional lump of coal. We've got no beef with rollicking through this sloppy number live, but do radio stations really have to play it 5,000 times every December? And, yeah, we get it ... Clarence wants a new sax.

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Posted by Spinner Staff
Filed under: The Hit List

Reader Comments(1 of 8)

High Ranked

Jamesat 12-07-2007

At least you don't live in New Jersey, where it is a law to play this song or something. And why does he start laughing by the end?????? Did he have too much eggnog?

Highest Ranked

bobbyraysgalat 12-01-2008

Awwww come, on guys! I don't care how overdone or whatever this song is, whoever the Grinch is, you gotta love this song! From a southern gal with a couple of kids who Christmas is going to be a tough one this year, this song STILL brings a smile to my face -- especially when Bruse asked Clarence if he wants/deserved a new saxaphone... Come on, people, lighten up!

Neutral

timmyfunk1at 12-25-2008

Well, I do live in New Jersey and I have to hear this crap every single year. This song wreaks!!!!!

Neutral

LiNaat 12-25-2008

i love bruce and who ever doesn't like this song and bruce doesn'tknow what good music is and this song should DEFFENTLY NOT be in the top 12 worst Christmas songs

Neutral

s pallerinoat 12-08-2007

Anyone with any musical talent at all will realize Springsteen is out of tune many, many times in this number

High Ranked

Loisat 12-08-2007

This is one of the best Christmas songs!! Betcha don't like David Bowie's Drummer Boy neither!!!

Neutral

tplucas523at 8-22-2008

I totally agree. I love this song. I love all Christmas songs!!!

High Ranked

kotabunnygirl09at 12-01-2008

i love bowie's lil drummer boy!!!!

High Ranked

Johnny LaRueat 12-08-2007

ALL of the great classics have been RUINED by overkill....this is just one of many.....not just Christmas songs mind you.....COMMERCIALISM has ruined almost all music.....Rap and the like/JT and so forth....crap from the word go....

Highest Ranked

Molang7at 12-08-2007

this is the BEST christmas song ever. absolutely my favorite. bruce is the greatest. he is starting to laugh at the end b/c santa is chuckling Ho-ho-ho. Bruce has always been known to have a great time playing concerts. he's probably having so much fun with the e-street band and seeing an old white bearded guy saying ho-ho-ho in the middle of his rockin' tunes.

BRUCE FOREVER!

Neutral

Sparkyat 12-08-2007

I LIKE IT! It sounds like he is having a lot of fun singing it!

Neutral

David Milesat 12-08-2007

Should rock music have rough edges?
This song does, but it still sounds great.
I agree with the comments about overkill. The only thing wrong with this track is that were hear it too often.

Neutral

rajat 12-08-2007

Springsteen's pseudolaughter towards the end of the song gives the impression that he is trying to sound like Jolly Old St. Nick AND rough n' tough Bruce Springsteen simultaneously.

Neutral

Williamat 12-08-2007

It sounds like he's really having fun on this one but hearing it once a year is enough!

Neutral

Ginoat 12-08-2007

This is one I certainly don't believe should be on this list. Bruce is great, and was really having fun with this song... Which is what Christmas is about and which is prob why he is out of tune at times. This version always picks me up.