As our first black president prepares to take office, it seems like the timing is appropriate to celebrate our first black Santa, or at least the only one I’m aware of to be memorialized in song. This barrier was broken in 1973 (I think) with this novelty number, which is sort of an Afrocentric take on “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus.”
I discovered “Santa Claus is a Black Man” on A John Waters Christmas. The song’s writer, Teddy Vann, is apparently none too amused that Waters put the song on his compilation, and is suing him. (Neither a lawsuit nor doing something deserving of a lawsuit is very Christmassy, guys!) According to Allmusic.com, A John Waters Christmas is the only place the song is available, unless you care to spend a lot of money for the original single. I’d better find my lost copy of JWC–it may be a collector’s item soon.
The song doesn’t appear to be well-known, but I saw some comments on message boards and such that seem to indicate that it was (is?) popular in New Orleans. I’d be interested in information on this or anything else about the song, so please comment if you can add to my knowledge.
According to the article about the lawsuit, Akim is Teddy Vann’s daughter.
Teddy Vann also co-wrote “Power of Love/Love Power” with Luther Vandross, which won a Grammy.
Merry Christmas!
Gordon Winslow
Alex LaPointe
Jason Austinite
normalnorman
mattmck01
You forgot Lou Rawles earry Christmas Ho!
Just Wait,
There is a new song being released this Nov 1st, 2009 – that is going to be soo great!!!
here comes
Black Santa
by J the Savage
I can only give you my opinion of the “Santa is a Black Man” song…but if you would like i can put you in touch with Teddy Vann who wrote this song. Then you can learn the truth behind the song written by this Grammy Award winning song writer. All my best,
i would love to know the truth about the song..where can I reach him?
Well, Santa Claus is a Black Man is actually very well-known in the Black community. I remember listening to this song as a little girl. It was played quite frequently on the local radio stations and I was also able to download it online several years ago.
Leslie:
Thanks for your remarks. I had the impression that it was well known in the Black community but no confirmation that it was nationwide and not just in New Orleans.
This song was a hit for me as a child and I’m 41yrs old. It was a hit in Houston, Texas as well as New Orleans. My co-workers thought I was crazy but after listening to the song today, they are all hooked!!! I think it should be re-released because my kids also love it!
I just looked up this song – I heard it as a child of the 70′s and have always loved it. I heared it on a radio out of Pensacola, FL, but I have never heard it since – some things you just have to keep in the South.
Ironically, I also grew up in Pensacola, Florida (also a child of the 70′s) I’d be willing to bet that the station you heard it on was WBOP AM radio! :)
my brother, Brian and I have been singing Santa Claus is A Black Man for years…It’s our fav! (and he’s white and gay and i’m a retired K teacher.) That’s what I’m telling YOU>
I Actually have the “A John Waters Christmas” Album and its full of Corny Christmas songs that are supposed to be funny.. The One posted in that Clip though is the same clip everyone downloads from the p2p sites. as if somebody uploaded it from a Scratched CD, so it Skips.
I’ve had “X-Mas Blues” for a while as well, that was also popular in N.O.
I know Teddy and wife wonlyn personally. He is a visionary. A man with a purpose and a vision that is contagious. He is promoted to a better place, may is dream stay alive in us through the power of love that we share.
Regards,
Paul Richards
Friend
Hi there can I use some of the material here in this blog if I link back to you?