<P> Haven Gillespie's lyrics begin "You'd better watch out, you'd better not cry / You'd better not pout, I'm telling you why / Santa Claus is coming to town". </P> <P> The earliest known recorded version of the song was by banjoist Harry Reser and his band on October 24, 1934 (Decca 264A) featuring Tom Stacks on vocal, the version shown in the Variety charts of December 1934 . The song was a sheet music hit, reaching number 1 . The song was also recorded for Victor Records (catalog No. 25145A) on September 26, 1935 by Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra with vocals by Cliff Weston and Edythe Wright . </P> <P> The song is a traditional Christmas standard and has been covered by numerous recording artists . Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters reached the Billboard charts briefly in 1947 with it . </P> <P> The 1951 version by Perry Como was popular; Gene Autry, the country - western artist, recorded a Christmas album with this title and featuring the song in 1953; and in 1963 the Four Seasons version charted at number 23 on Billboard . Also in 1963 producer Phil Spector included a version of the song on his rock album "A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector" performed by The Crystals . In 1970, Rankin - Bass produced Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town, an hour - long animated TV film based on the song, with Fred Astaire narrating the origin of Santa Claus . </P>

Who sings i feel a good one comin on