This hilarious single, produced by the irrepressible Louie Ludwig, is bound to get airplay during the holiday season on WWOZ. It’s right up its alley—or, better yet, down its chimney. It’s old school rhythm and blues all the way, complete with suggestive lyrics and vocalist Al “Carnival Time” Johnson, who was on the scene in the midst of this city’s R&B heyday. Perez is too young to have been there but she’s picked up on the slinky flavor and innuendos during her residency, which gives authenticity to her sexy delivery of lyrics like “I know he checked his list and he knows I’m naughty and nice.” Meanwhile, “Santa” is trying to get away from her lure so he can make his Yuletide deliveries. “Dancer and Prancer, get up there you lazy deer,” sings Johnson. Somehow, that he says “deer” instead of the more correct “reindeer” tickles the funny bone.

The horn section of saxophonist Derek Huston, trombonist Craig Klein and trumpeter Doyle Cooper provide the call-and-response to lines like her “He takes off in his sleigh, how can he be so mean?” and his “I got to get flying, the babies need their toys.”

“Don’t Go, Santa!” a shout out that’s surprisingly never heard in the tune is, as WWL-TV’s Frank Davis would say, “naturally New Orleans.”