"(Everybody's Waitin' for) The Man with the Bag" is a Christmas song written in 1950 by Irving Taylor, Dudley Brooks, and Hal Stanley.Hindman, James and Ray Roderick (2003). A Christmas Survival Guide: A Miniature Christmas Spectacular! New York: Samuel French, Inc., page 4. The "man with the bag" is a reference to Santa Claus, who drops off presents from his sleigh to people who have been "extra special good".
The song was originally made popular by Kay Starr and regularly appeared on Billboard'''s list of most popular Christmas songs in the early 1950s."Order Christmas Records Now", Billboard, December 9, 1950, p. 17"There's Christmas in the Air", Billboard, November 29, 1952, p. 29
Hal Stanley was Kay Starr's husband at the time. He had an interest in a club in South-Central Los Angeles where Dudley Brooks often performed, and had collaborated with Irving Taylor on several television projects. He brought the two together, took credit as a co-writer, and published it under his and Starr's publishing company, StarStan.
Jessie J version
"Man with the Bag" is a cover song of "(Everybody's Waitin' for) The Man with the Bag" was recorded by British singer Jessie J. It was first released on 8 November 2015 through Republic Records as a single, and then later included on her Christmas album This Christmas Day.
The song peaked at number 70 on the UK singles chart, becoming the 38th biggest Christmas songs of the 21st century in United Kingdom as of 2023, being certified silver by BPI.
Background and release Jessie J first recorded a cover of "(Everybody's Waitin' for) The Man with the Bag" for an advert for Boots during Christmas 2015. The version was later included on the singer's fifth studio album This Christmas Day and published as the lead single in October 2018.
The song charted on the UK Singles Chart at number 70 in 2020 and number 85 in 2021. It 2022 it was certified Silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) in 2022.
Critical reception Ben Beaumont-Thomas, writing for The Guardian, praised the vocal technique of the singer on the cover. In 2022 Billboard also highlighted "the opportunity to flex her vocal muscles" on the song for Jessie J. In 2024 Cosmopolitan listed Man with the Bag as the 67th Best Christmas Songs of All Time. Charts
+ Weekly chart performance for "Man with the Bag" Chart (2015–2020) Peakposition South Korea International (Circle) 79
Certifications
Other versions The song has been covered by many artists, including The Brian Setzer Orchestra.Metcalfe, Phillip (2005). Christmas's Most Wanted: The Top 10 Book of Kris Kringles, Merry Jingles and Holiday Cheer. Washington D.C: Potomac Books, page 208 Jane Monheit recorded the song for her 2005 album The Season, and performed it on her 2019 holiday tour. Seth MacFarlane recorded the song for his 2014 album Holiday for Swing. The song has also been covered by Voctave, a central Florida a cappella group.
The TV show Ally McBeal borrowed the song's title for a December 11, 2000 episode that featured Vonda Shepard singing the song. Her version was included in the holiday album Ally McBeal: A Very Ally Christmas. The album received positive reviews and several critics cited Shephard's version of the song as the album's highlight.Atkinson, Terry (December 3, 2000) "TV Shows Breed Christmas Albums" The Post-Tribune (Gary, Indiana) (Entertainment News Service), page D-5.Maestri, Cathy (December 15, 2000) "Overflow of holiday CDs offer good cheer: From pop to country to alternative, there is music for everyone's stockings", The Press-Enterprise (Riverside, California), page AA-13.Gehman, Geoff (December 8, 2000) "CD Signs of the Season: Few Holiday Discs Will Jingle Your Bells" The Morning Call (Allentown, Pennsylvania), page D-1
Darren Criss and Adam Lambert performed a duet of the song for Criss' 2021 album, A Very Darren Crissmas. Hannah Waddingham performed a duet of the song for the 2023 Apple TV+ special Hannah Waddingham: Home For Christmas. Jschlatt performed the song for the 2025 deluxe edition his album A Very 1999 Christmas''.Initial release of jschlatt - (Everybody's Waitin' For) The Man With The Bag. Released 28th November 2025.
References