JOHN MELLENCAMP - I SAW MOMMY KISSING SANTA CLAUS

Released: October 12, 1987

Album: A Very Special Christmas

When John Mellencamp—then performing as John Cougar Mellencamp—recorded “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” in 1987, he wasn’t just reviving a 1950s novelty tune. He was giving it a complete heartland overhaul. First released in 1953 by 13-year-old Jimmy Boyd, the song had long been treated as a sugary Christmas trifle. Mellencamp, at 36, transformed it into something far different: a ragged, rootsy, good-natured holiday romp, bursting with acoustic textures, backing vocals, and Lisa Germano’s unmistakable fiddle work.

Rather than leaning into the childlike innocence of the original, Mellencamp treated the song as a spirited barroom sing-along. His gravelly voice, combined with the organic warmth of his Lonesome Jubilee-era band, gives the track a distinctly Americana flavor. It’s playful without being precious, festive without being saccharine.

The recording took place during the Lonesome Jubilee sessions—a period when Mellencamp was deep into his exploration of folk instrumentation and social realism. The same musical DNA that shaped songs like “Paper in Fire” and “Check It Out” runs through this holiday detour, making it unmistakably his.

Mellencamp’s contribution was part of “A Very Special Christmas”, the first in what would become a groundbreaking charity album series organized by producer Jimmy Iovine. The project honored Iovine’s late father, and 100% of the proceeds supported the Special Olympics. Mellencamp agreed immediately—long before he’d even collaborated with Iovine. Born with spina bifida, Mellencamp had undergone risky neurosurgery as a newborn. In later interviews, he often reflected on how close he came to lifelong paralysis—an experience that shaped his empathy for children with disabilities. Supporting Special Olympics was a natural fit. “When they asked me to do it,” he said, “it was like, ‘Well sure.’”

Though he famously declined to join Live Aid and wasn’t part of “We Are the World,” Mellencamp was never shy about championing causes he truly believed in—most famously as a co-founder of Farm Aid. His involvement in the Christmas album was another example of that selective, yet passionate, activism.

The recording wasn’t the only thing Mellencamp brought home. On December 11, 1987, during his tour stop at Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, he shot a charming music video for the song. A film crew was already there to capture a post-show performance of “Check It Out,” and thousands of fans stuck around to be part of the shoot. The video also contains a sweet personal touch: Mellencamp’s 6-year-old daughter, Teddi Jo, takes the mic at the end of the track—mirroring the youthful voice featured in the original 1953 version.