"Back Door Santa" is a song written by Clarence Carter in collaboration with Marcus Daniel, and originally performed by Carter. It was released on a compilation album Soul Christmas in 1968. The track is in a 12-bar blues format.
The lyrics are sexually suggestive, not having much to do with Christmas as a holiday. Run-D.M.C. sampled the song for "Christmas in Hollis".
In late December 2005, The Black Crowes released a free download version of this song, complete with a horn section. This track can be heard in the films Mission: Impossible III and Jingle All the Way.
The Australian band Jet has also covered this song. It is available on their Japanese-only "Rare Tracks" compilation album.
It was also performed by Bon Jovi and released on the A Very Special Christmas compilation album produced to benefit the Special Olympics. For unknown reasons, "Back Door Santa" was replaced on later pressings of the first A Very Special Christmas with the song "I Wish Every Day Could Be Like Christmas" also performed by Bon Jovi. Bon Jovi later released the track along with two other Christmas themed songs on the single for Please Come Home for Christmas
In 2008, Elliott Yamin included a cover of the song in his Christmas album "My Kind of Hoiday"
The song also appeared on the CBS sitcom "How I Met Your Mother." Season 2 Episode 11: "How Lily Stole Christmas"
The song begins with the lyric "I'm your Back door Santa / I make my run / At the break of day." For some reason Carter recorded an entirely different song with exactly the same title.