Meaning of "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" by Michael Bolton

"Santa Claus is Coming to Town" serves as a classic Christmas reminder to children to behave well to receive gifts from Santa. The lyrics emphasize the importance of good behavior, as Santa is depicted as an all-knowing figure who rewards those who are good and punishes those who are naughty. The repeated warnings in the song create a sense of urgency for children to be on their best behavior as the holiday approaches. Ultimately, the song reinforces the idea of rewarding kindness and discipline while instilling a fear of consequences for misbehavior, playing into the traditional narrative of Santa as a moral arbiter during the holiday season.