There are so many wonderful Christmas songs—Kelly Clarkson’s holiday catalog is practically a genre unto itself. And yet a couple of the classics are divisive: We’ve all heard the lyrics-focused debate about “Baby It’s Cold Outside,” for one. And then there’s “Santa Baby,” a cooing, meant-to-be-sexy plea for lavish gifts from the Santa in a lady’s life, famously recorded by Ariana Grande, Madonna, Eartha Kitt, and many more. While the song remains popular, its transactional, Marilyn Monroe-ish trope arguably feels a bit out of step with the times. Okay, really out of step.
Enter Miley Cyrus. The Seasons 11 and 13 Voice coach performed a much-needed alternate version of “Santa Baby” on December 2018 episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon alongside Jimmy Fallon and superstar music producer Mark Ronson. Cyrus’s fierce vocals make any song worth listening to, but this superior “Santa Baby” boasts lyrics like, “no more fluff, I’ve had enough / I can buy my own damn stuff.”
No wonder this one continues to make the rounds on TikTok and YouTube in 2023.
Watch Miley Cyrus perform her “Santa Baby” version here.
Miley Cyrus’s Feminist Version of “Santa Baby”
As Miley Cyrus sings her “Santa Baby,” Jimmy Fallon plays the part of her suitor, ready to present a diamond necklace. But Cyrus confuses him by saying no thanks.
“What are you doing?” Fallon asked Cyrus.
“You said I could update the lyrics!” the “Flowers” singer replied.
“Right, but I didn’t think that you—” Fallon said, as Cyrus belted the next line. That’s when Mark Ronson dances in to help Fallon present more gifts Cyrus has no need for.
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“Listen Santa, to what I say, a girl’s best friend is equal pay,” Cyrus sings. Eventually, Ronson and Fallon give up and stick to trimming the tree and toasting with egg nog. Cheers!
Check out the lyrics to “Santa Baby” by Miley Cyrus
Santa baby, I hear you’ve got some presents for me, Miley I’ve been an awfully good girl Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight Santa baby, I don’t need any fancy jewelry Not me, I’ve got something else in mind Santa baby, and I don’t need your presents tonight Don’t want diamonds, cash, or stars Nothing that comes in a box No more fluff, I’ve had enough And I can buy my own damn stuff Santa baby, I bought a baller car of my own My own, I bought it all by myself, Santa baby With zero help from Elf on a Shelf So stop interrupting me when I talk And don’t text me pictures of your [*interrupted by ringtone*]
Santa baby, I’d love to know my ass won’t get grabbed at work By some ignorant jerk Tell the dirtbag to put away the chimney tonight [Outro] Put away the chimney tonight Just put away your chimney tonight So put away your chimney tonight So put away your chimney tonight
