Apart from Eartha Kitt's versions (original 1953 and iirc more uptempo 1967), another often incorrectly accredited version is the 1999 release by Cynthia Basinet. Kitt, meanwhile, was “the No. It's been recorded by many female (and male!) Of course, the kissing couple was married and the first person to record the song, Jimmy Boyd, was 13 years old at the time. The song was a huge hit for Kitt, and … "Santa Baby" with worldwide radio play and millions of downloads, thought to be Marilyn Monroe, however never recorded by Marilyn, was originally sung and recorded in 1953 by Eartha Kitt, who died Christmas Day, 2008. Javits came up with the lyric "Santa baby, just slip a sable under the tree, for me," and Springer quickly came up with the music. At the end of 1953, Joan Javits, who was the niece of US Senator Jacob Javits, wrote "Santa Baby" for Kitt with Philip Springer, and it became a holiday hit and Kitt's most famous song. artists ever since, including Mae West, but never by Marilyn Monroe.