Ain’t got no sleigh with reindeer… BOM BOM BOM BOM BOM! No sack on my back… BOM BOM BOM BOM BOM! You’re gonna see me comin’… in a BIG BLACK CADILLAC!!

Through the swirling December snow, Elvis Aaron Presley comes swanning into town, eschewing Comet, Cupid, Donder and Blitzen in favour of some good old American wheels. Picture him rolling from rooftop to rooftop, shaking his stuff at every house he visits and met with flying underwear from the screaming, adoring folk below.

This Lieber & Stoller-penned track from 1957 is my top pick for a real old school festive rocker (though Chuck Berry’s ‘Run Rudolph Run’ is a strong contender). It’s big, bold and bluesy, and features the King of Rock & Roll on top form.

Following the success of the 2016 compilation The Wonder of You, the song was given the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra treatment in 2017, along with other selections from Elvis’ Christmas catalogue. For my money though, the raw original wins hands down. The arrangement is great. A classic rhythm & blues stomper. Presley is backed by his original Sun Studio line-up of Scotty Moore, Bill Black and D.J. Fontana (guitar, bass and drums respectively). There are some super smooth close harmony backing vocals and a great piano break from Dudley Brooks.

In my book, Elvis also scoops up the gong for Best Yule Tide Sexual Innuendo: ‘Hang up your pretty stockings… And turn out the light… Santa Claus is comin’ down your chimney tonight!’

And a bit of personal history… Down in Shrewton, Wiltshire in 2014, a local supergroup – comprising my incomparable jazz drummer brother Patrick, two local lads named Jack and Jeremy, and your faithful author – featured the song in their now legendary Christmas set at The George Inn. Legendary due to the fact that it was the final live music performance at Shrewton’s last pub standing, before it closed down. Purely coincidentally I’m sure.

Here is ‘Santa Claus Is back In Town’ in all its original glory.

If you’re interested in hearing the RPO Albums, here are The Wonder of You and Christmas with Elvis & The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

And here’s that Christmas Playlist again.

Tommorrow, the Ghost of Christmas Past catapults you back to a song from my childhood…