💄 About the Song
Released in 1953, Santa Baby is the sound of luxury wrapped in tinsel — a woman serenading Santa for diamonds, yachts, and the deed to a platinum mine.
Eartha Kitt delivers it with her trademark sultry wit — part innocent, part dangerously knowing. It’s Christmas cabaret done to perfection.
The song caused mild scandal when it came out (“too suggestive,” said the pearl-clutchers), which of course made it a massive hit.
Over the years it’s been covered by everyone from Madonna to Kylie to Taylor Swift, but none of them ever quite matched Kitt’s sly, smoky charm.
It’s playful, camp, and timeless — the perfect antidote to all the wholesome Christmas jingles.
🎸 Ukulele Playing Tips
- Chords:C – A7 – Dm – G7 – F – E7.
- Verse: C – A7 – Dm – G7,
- Bridge (“Think of all the fun I’ve missed…”): F – E7 – A7 – D7 – G7 – C.
- Strumming pattern: Jazzy sway — Down (pause) Down-Up (pause) Up-Down-Up at ~85 bpm.
Accent beats 2 and 4 for that lounge feel. - Tone: Strum softly with fingertips; this one’s all about finesse, not force.
- Dynamics: Start smooth and teasing, build a little sparkle into each verse — it’s a slow burn.
- Optional trick: Throw in a muted “chuck” between chords for that cabaret snap.
- Sing tip: Lower your voice slightly, smile mid-line, and add a playful pause before “Santa baby…” — that’s the magic.
🧠 Trivia You Can Drop Casually
- Written in one day by Joan Javits, niece of U.S. senator Jacob Javits — political royalty with a wicked sense of humour.
- Eartha Kitt recorded it in New York with Henri René’s Orchestra.
- It was briefly banned in parts of the South for being “too suggestive” — which only made it more famous.
- The song re-entered the Billboard charts every decade since, proving sass never goes out of style.
🌈 Final Word
Play Santa Baby like you’ve just spied Santa’s credit card on the mantelpiece.
Keep it smooth, sultry, and just a little tongue-in-cheek — the uke makes it adorably cheeky instead of scandalous.
If no one’s smirking by the second verse, purr louder. 💋
