Chords + Lyrics | I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
Intro (free time)
||: A | C#m | F#m F#m7 | Aadd9 E :||
Chorus
| A | A | C#m | F#m |
I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus.
| A | A | E7 (E6) | E7 (E6) |
Underneath the mistletoe last night.
| E | E | A | A |
She didn’t see me creep, down the stairs to have a peek.
| B7 | B7 | E | E7 |
She thought that I was tucked up in my bedroom fast asleep.
Verse 1
| A | A | C#m | F#m |
Then, I saw Mommy tickle Santa Claus.
| A | A7 | D A7/C# | Bm7 |
Underneath his beard so snowy white.
| D B7 | G#7 | A F#m7 | Bm7 E7 |
Oh, what a laugh it would have been, if Daddy had only seen.
| A F#m7 | Bm7 E7 | A F#m7 | B7 E7 |
Mommy kissing Santa Claus last night.
Instrumental (as chorus)
| A | A | C#m | F#m |
| A | A | E7 (E6) | E7 (E6) |
| E | E | A | A |
| B7 | B7 | E | E7 |
Verse 2
| A | A | C#m | F#m |
Then, I saw Mommy tickle Santa Claus.
| A | A7 | D A7/C# | Bm7 |
Underneath his beard so snowy white.
| D B7 | G#7 | A F#m7 | Bm7 E7 |
Oh, what a laugh it would have been, if Daddy had only seen.
| A F#m7 | Bm7 E7 | A | A7 |
Mommy kissing Santa Claus last night.
End
| D B7 | G#7 | A F#m7 | Bm7 E7 |
Oh, what a laugh it would have been, if Daddy had only seen.
| A F#m7 | Bm7 | E7 | A |
Mommy kissing Santa Claus, last, night.
| A | D | E7 | A | A6 | A | Amaj7 |
(I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus).
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus Chords: A Breakdown of the Festive Progressions
As a Christmas standard, I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus has been recorded in many versions across different key signatures (more on this below). To better understand the song’s harmonic structure, it’s useful to break it down using Roman numerals.
The Ronettes’ version, which I’ve chosen to focus on, is in the key of A, while most online versions are in C.
Chorus
Here’s the first section—I’ll call this the chorus, it later returns as an instrumental:
| A (I) | A | C#m (III) | F#m (VI) |
| A | A | E7 (V) E6 | E7 E6 |
| E | E | A | A |
| B7 (Iix) | B7 | E | E7 |
The movement from A to C#m resembles A to Amaj7, so it’s worth comparing the two. From C#m, we move to F#m, which is a fourth up.
Next, we return to A (I), then shift to the dominant E7 (V), followed by E6. Instead of jumping straight back to A, we briefly land on E—a small but effective detail that enhances the phrasing.
After resolving back to A, we introduce B7 (IIx) to build tension before finishing on E and E7. Again, the distinction between E and E7 adds subtle but noticeable colour to the progression.
There’s a lovely little chord lick that highlights this transition. To explore that and other ways to play I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus, check out my guitar lesson with TAB: I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus – Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Verse
The next section, which I’ve decided to call the verse (though some might refer to it as sections A and B), begins similarly to the chorus but then takes an unexpected turn. Here’s the first half of the progression:
| A (I) | A | C#m (III) | F#m (VI) |
| A (I) | A7 (I7) | D (IV) A7/C# (I7/3) | Bm7 (II) |
The first line mirrors the chorus. However, in the second line, we see A7 (I7) leading into D (IV), then descending chromatically via A7/C# (I7/3) before landing on Bm7 (II) instead of B7 as in the previous section.
This intricate mix of major and minor gives I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus its unique harmonic charm.
Now, here’s the second half of the verse—a brilliant exercise for your Christmas gig! (Check the TAB lesson for details).
| D (IV) B7 (IIx) | G#7 (VIIx) | A (I) F#m7 (VI) | Bm7 (II) E7 (V) |
| A (I) F#m7 (VI) | Bm7 (II) E7 (V) | A (I) F#m7 (VI) | B7 (Iix) E7 (V) |
The standout elements here are the G#7 (VIIx) and the contrast between Bm7 and B7, adding colour and movement to the progression.
To truly grasp this section, take time to sit with these changes. For best results, practice the chords in multiple positions and keys—as many as you can bear!
Here’s a chord chart I made to help you out.
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus Chord Chart | PDF + iReal Pro Download
There’s a slight difference between the chords and lyrics version and the chord chart—specifically in the E7 – E6 chord lick. In the chords and lyrics, I wrote E6 in brackets, while in the chart, it appears as smaller chords.
If you’d like to download my chord chart, here’s a PDF version: I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus chord chart PDF.
This chart was created using iRealPro. You can download the iReal Pro file here: I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus iReal Pro.
With iRealPro, you can change the key—something I usually find frustrating. However, in this case, I actually embrace the challenge, as the fast chord changes make for a great exercise, especially during those long Christmas residency gigs!
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus TAB | Course Preview
There’s TAB for all sections in the course, including the intro—each part arranged to work for the sole guitarist in a band playing a Christmas gig.
As a preview, here’s half the chorus.
A Christmas Standard
When I set out to transcribe I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus, the biggest challenge was choosing which version to use. This is a true Christmas classic, covered by just about everyone—except, somehow, Michael Bublé.
The list of artists who have recorded it is extensive, many of whom are featured in the playlist at the top of the page. Here’s a more comprehensive selection:
- Paul Anka
- The Beverly Sisters (1953)
- Jimmy Boyd (first release 1952)
- Perry Como
- Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
- The Jackson 5 (1970)
- John Mellencamp
- Dolly Parton
- Jessica Simpson
- Bruce Springsteen
- Amy Winehouse
And, of course, countless musicians who’ve played it as part of a seasonal Christmas gig.
In the end, I chose the Ronettes’ 1963 version, produced by Phil Spector—his signature sound makes it one of the most iconic renditions.
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus Chords: Continue Learning
Want to master this song? Check out the full TAB lesson here: I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus (The Ronettes) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Alternatively, here are five similar tunes you might enjoy:
