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Bruce Springsteen performs at the 2024 Stand Up for Heroes benefit.
Bruce Springsteen plays Nov. 11 at the Stand Up for Heroes fundraiser for the Bob Woodruff Foundation at Lincoln Center in New York City.
Bob Woodruff Foundation
Santa Claus is definitely in town for Canadian fans of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.
“Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” made its return to the E Street Band setlist at the Nov. 6 Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, thanks to a sign request.
The Boss donned a Santa hat for the occasion.
Since then, it’s been performed Nov. 9 at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa; Nov. 13 at the Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg; and Nov. 16 at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary.
“That’s my daughter’s fav song, she’s 34,” said Howard Bloom of Ottawa via email. “When Bruce did ‘Santa’ in Toronto and last night in Ottawa, I called my daughter and she loved hearing the song.”
Bloom played the track, originally released as a B-side to “My Hometown” in 1985, when he spun records on the SiriusXM’s E Street Radio “Be the Boss” promotion for his daughter.
The E Street version of “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” was recorded live in December 1975 at Laker Hall on the campus of the State University of New York at Oswego. The arrangement is based on the 1963 Phil Spector produced Crystals’ version.
Banjoist Harry Reser and His Orchestra recorded it first in 1934. Since then, it’s been a hit for Bing Crosby, the Andrews Sisters, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons and more.
In the current E Street run, Jake Clemons, nephew of the late Clarence Clemons, and Eddie Manion bring their saxes down to bookend the Boss for the song, according to social media videos.
“Santa Claus” has been played toward the end of the shows in Canada. It made a surprise appearance mid-show May 16 in Cork, Ireland.
The last time it made a sustained run on the setlist was in November 2012 for the “Wrecking Ball” tour.
Springsteen and the E Street Band play Tuesday, Nov. 19, at Rogers Place in Edmonton, and Saturday, Nov. 22, at Rogers Arena to close the Canadian shows.
The tour starts up again in May with concerts in the United Kingdom and Europe.
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Chris Jordan, a Jersey Shore native, covers entertainment and features for the USA Today Network New Jersey. Contact him at cjordan@app.com