Singer Jimmy Boyd was only 13 years old when he recorded this song and when this was released in 1953. The song was written for Saks Fifth Avenue to promote the store's Christmas card for the year, and some people thought it was a little too risqué, the thought of a married woman, possibly having an affair.
A closer listen implies that the man in question is actually the child's father, but this didn't stop radio stations in some cities, including Boston, from banning it when it came out. Columbia Records appealed to the Council of Churches to clear the song where it was banned. They even sent in young Jimmy Boyd to plead with them personally. The tactic worked, and it became a Christmas favorite.
A less successful version of the song was released in 1952 by Spike Jones, with a vocal by George Rock in the little boy voice used in Spike's hit "All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth"
Today’s version was recorded for this group’s 1970 Christmas album. The version entered the UK Singles Chart on its peak position, number ninety-one, on the week ending December 5, 1987, and stayed there for four weeks total. It also peaked at number forty-five on the Billboard Holiday 100 in 2012.
The album was recorded when this musical family’s child prodigy was on the cusp of his 12th birthday. The track also features his brothers Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon, and Tito.
But it was the voice you hear telling the story in today's song that would go on to become the "King of Pop", he is regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century.
Over a four-decade career, his contributions to music, dance and fashion, along with his publicized personal life, made him a global figure in popular culture. To this day, over a decade after his death, he is still the most awarded music artist in history.
Michael Jackson on lead vocal with the Jackson 5...I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus...On K103’s I Know That Song!