. . . or "Somewhere over the outhouse" and "Dancing nose to nose" would still be pulling in big royalty bucks today. Another good example is that song from the 1900's about not tugging on Superman's cape. After seeing SANTA'S SURPRISE, Mr. Croce began toying with lyrics about not stowing away on Santa's sleigh. Fortunately, as the song evolved into something warning against messing around with Jim, Saint Nick slipped from the picture, to be replaced by Superman and the Lone Ranger. Even at the Yule Tide, I don't think a carol about Little Audrey's unauthorized trip to the North Pole would have gotten as much airplay as "Baby, It's Cold Outside."
Review of Santa's Surprise
Santa's Surprise
(1947)
Not every hit song is a chart topper in its first draft . . .
16 October 2020
Warning: Spoilers