"Little Saint Nick" is a song by American rock band the Beach Boys first released as a single on December 9, 1963. Written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love, the Christmas song applies hot-rod themes to Santa Claus and his sleigh.
The single peaked at number 3 on Billboard magazine's special seasonal weekly Christmas Singles chart. Its B-side was an a cappella version of "The Lord's Prayer".Badman, Keith. The Beach Boys. The Definitive Diary of America's Greatest Band: On Stage and in the Studio Backbeat Books, San Francisco, California, 2004. p. 45 In November 1964, an alternate mix of "Little Saint Nick" appeared as the opening track on The Beach Boys' Christmas Album.
Background
"Little Saint Nick" was initially recorded on October 18 to 20, 1963, at Radio Recorders and Western Studio in Hollywood, but was soon scrapped in favor of a different version on November 6 to 7 in the style of "Little Deuce Coupe". The first version would later use the same backing track for "Drive-In". The idea for the song was partly inspired by record producer Phil Spector's plans to record a Christmas album. Wilson recalled: "I wrote the lyrics to it while I was out on a date and then I rushed home to finish the music." Some of its rhythm and structure derives from the group's "Little Deuce Coupe", also co-written by Wilson and released as a single six months earlier. Love was not originally listed as the co-writer of "Little Saint Nick". His credit was awarded after a 1990s lawsuit.
Variations
"Little Saint Nick" reappeared on The Beach Boys' Christmas Album in 1964, with the stereo pressings of the album containing a new mix that removes the overdubbed sleigh bells, celeste and glockenspiel. This was done so that it would fit better with the sound of the album's first side, which was recorded in a hurry with basic instrumentation. Another version of the song, utilizing the melody and backing track later used for the All Summer Long song "Drive-In", was recorded, but remained unreleased until a 1991 CD reissue.
Personnel
Single version
Mike Love – lead and backing vocals Brian Wilson – backing vocals; grand piano; celesta Carl Wilson – backing vocals; electric guitar; sleigh bells Al Jardine – bass guitar; glockenspiel Dennis Wilson – backing vocals; drums Additional personnel Murry Wilson – sleigh bells Bob Norberg – backing vocals
Album version
Mike Love – lead and backing vocals Brian Wilson – backing vocals; grand piano Carl Wilson – backing vocals; electric guitar Al Jardine – bass guitar Dennis Wilson – backing vocals; drums Additional personnel Bob Norberg – backing vocals
"Drive-In" version Credits sourced from John Brode, Will Crerar, Joshilyn Hoisington, and Craig Slowinski.
The Beach Boys Mike Love – lead and backing vocals Brian Wilson – lead and backing vocals, upright piano
Additional musicians Hal Blaine – drums Glen Campbell – electric guitar Frank Capp – sleigh bells Jerry Cole – acoustic guitar Steve Douglas – tenor saxophone Jay Migliori – baritone saxophone Bob Norberg – backing vocals Ray Pohlman – 6-string bass guitar Leon Russell – grand piano
Charts Chart (1963)Peakposition US Christmas Singles (Billboard)Billboard. https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/60s/1963/Billboard%201963-12-28.pdf pg. 7. Retrieved December 26, 2025.3 Chart (2018–2025) Peakposition Australia (ARIA) 39 France (SNEP) 158 Latvia (DigiTop100) 84 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) 30 Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan) 6 US Holiday 100 (Billboard) 22 US Rolling Stone Top 100 25
Certifications
Notes