The Beach Boys: “Little Saint Nick”

Cars were a common theme in early Beach Boys songs, notably “Little Deuce Coupe,” which was the template for this song that envisions Santa’s sleigh as a Nordic Hot Rod: candy apple red with a 4-speed stick. Brian Wilson wrote the song with Mike Love.

The “Run run, reindeer” line was copped from Chuck Berry’s song “Run Rudolph Run,” where Berry sings, “Run run, Rudolph.” By making the reindeer generic, The Beach Boys avoided copyright issues – Berry had to turn over royalties to his song to the creator the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer story.

(source: songfacts.com)

Oooooooo
Merry Christmas Saint Nick
Christmas comes this time each year

Well way up north where the air gets cold
There’s a tale about Christmas
That you’ve all been told
And a real famous cat all dressed up in red
And he spends all year workin’ out on his sled

It’s the little Saint Nick (little Saint Nick)
It’s the little Saint Nick (little Saint Nick)

Just a little bobsled we call the old Saint Nick
But she’ll walk a toboggan with a four speed stick
She’s candy apple red with a ski for a wheel
And when Santa hits the gas man just watch her peel

It’s the little Saint Nick (little Saint Nick)
It’s the little Saint Nick (little Saint Nick)

Run run reindeer
Run run reindeer, whoaa
Run run reindeer
Run run reindeer (he don’t miss no one)

And haulin’ through the snow at a frightening speed
With a half a dozen deer with Rudy to lead
He’s got to wear his goggles ’cause the snow really flies
And he’s cruisin’ every path with a little surprise

It’s the little Saint Nick (little Saint Nick)
It’s the little Saint Nick (little Saint Nick)

Oooooooo
Merry Christmas Saint Nick (Christmas comes this time each year)

Oooooooo
Merry Christmas Saint Nick (Christmas comes this time each year)

Oooooooo
Merry Christmas Saint Nick (Christmas comes this time each year)

This hit can be listened to on the Beach Boys’ Christmas album