“Santa Claus is Coming to Town” first aired in 1970. Although trimmed down from its original runtime to allow for more advertising, 😞 it remains one of my favorite holiday shows. Narrated by a singing and dancing mailman (Fred Astaire), the show tells the story of Kris Kringle (Mickey Rooney) and some of Santa Claus’ traditions.
At 10, almost 11 years old, Kris Kringle’s origin story was fascinating, but it was Kris teaching the Winter Warlock (Keenan Wynne) to put one foot in front of the other that stuck with me.
Right away, the song became my private theme song. I can still recall many times in my life singing it to myself when I needed a reminder that I could do or work through something. It is a song that just starts playing in my head when I need it. Some of those memories are quite vivid.
So, although I went public with “Keep Smiling Keep Moving” when
I started training for a marathon in 2008, the sentiment has been a cornerstone
of my existence for much longer.
By the way, I do believe in Santa Claus, but I only recently learned (I think it was on Jeopardy!)
that a Burgermeister is a real person!
[Chorus]Put one foot in front of the other
And soon you'll be walking 'cross the floor
Put one foot in front of the other
And soon you'll be walking out the door
You never will get where you're going
If you never get up on your feet
Come on, there's a good tail wind blowing
A fast walking man is hard to beat
[Chorus]
If you want to change your direction
If your time of life is at hand
Well don't be the rule, be the exception
A good way to start is to stand
[Chorus]
If I want to change the reflection
I see in the mirror each morn
(Oh you do!)
You mean that it's just my election
(Just that!)
To vote for a chance to be reborn
[Chorus]
Songwriters: Jules
Bass / Maury Laws Put One Foot in Front of the Other lyrics © Warner Chappell
Music, Inc
