1940s Christmas Playlist - Part 9 - "Santa Claus for President" (1947)

Still in 1947, our Christmas playlist continues the Santa Claus theme, as he apparently is coming down Santa Claus Lane with a turn onto Pennsylvania Avenue!

Or at least that's what Sammy Kaye's record (featuring vocalist Don Cornell) on RCA Victor would suggest:

That's a fun little record! I like how it's a whole little skit.

I had mentioned last time that Sammy Kaye records can be somewhat corny, but were always professionally done. I think this record bears that out. The playing is very tight. These were talented musicians.

And, honestly, "Swing and Sway with Sammy Kaye" is as catchy a slogan as there's ever been in the entire history of show biz! There, I said it!

Sweet bands were highly dependent on their vocalists and Sammy always had good ones, none better than Don Cornell, who went on to a successful solo career.

As for "Santa Claus for President," I think that's the only recording of the song.

I'm intrigued that the label says it's the "Song Hits" Magazine's Record of the Month. Don't know what it's about, though. It seems like an odd pick!

This is the cover of the December 1947 issue, but it gives no hint:

Maybe that's not the right issue, but, hey, we get to see Linda Darnell!

Interestingly, Peter Tinturin, write of "Santa Claus for President" turns up in 1951 as the co-writer of "A Root'n Toot'n Santa Claus" with Oakley Haldeman, co-writer of "Here Comes Santa Claus." How do these things come about?

Anyway, Tennessee Ernie Ford recorded "A Root'n Toot'n Santa Claus" for Capitol Records:

Despite all the pea-pickin' humor, Ernie had the pipes!

And tenor saxist/vocalist/bandleader Tex Beneke had a great big band arrangement on MGM:

That's a lot of fun!

I'm guessing the vocal group is named the Mood Four as a holdover from when Tex was leading the Glenn Miller Orchestra. You know, "In the Mood" and all?

Anyway, getting back to Sammy Kaye, he and his band had cut an earlier one-off Santa Claus song back in 1941:

That sounds like a holdover from the 1930s to me, when the band always had a singing song title. By 1947, the arrangements were a bit varied. Still way more sway than swing, though!

So, Santa's on his way, running for president and rootin' and tootin' along!