Historical Events  Music
Marilyn Monroe

Alternate:
Monroe sang "Santa Baby"

Current:
Monroe did not sing "Santa Baby"

Sung by Marilyn in 1953?

'Santa Baby' is one of those songs everyone knows and loves no matter what time of year they hear it. Many are sure it was sung by Marilyn Monroe in the 1950's, and are surprised to hear that isn't the case - it was Eartha Kitt.

Written by Phillip Springer, Tony Springer and Joan Javits, it's certainly designed to be done in the breathy, suggestive style made famous by Marilyn and it's easy to see why people would think she sang it. It's been covered many times since then too, including more recently by Madonna and Kylie Minogue, so even those who knew Eartha was the original singer might be forgiven for thinking Marilyn did a cover version later.

The song is basically a parody. A young woman is asking Santa to give her a generous set of expensive Christmas gifts, and is using her feminine charm, to put it mildly, to get what she wants. 

Originally banned

It's difficult to appreciate today, but in 1953 the song was actually banned in some parts of the South for being too suggestive.

Santa baby, just slip a sable under the tree for me
Been an awful good girl
Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight
Santa baby, a '54 convertible too, light blue
I'll wait up for you, dear
Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight
Think of all the fun I've missed
Think of all the fellas that I haven't kissed
Next year, I could be just as good
If you check off my Christmas list
Santa baby, I want a yacht and really that's not a lot
Been an angel all year
Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight

Another misattributed song

There's another like this people think Marilyn sang: as When I fall in love, which was originally by Doris Day