Christmas is coming ever nearer, and the undisputed best part of the holiday season (besides family time, presents and tons of pie) is the music. Holiday songs have been filling people's minds and hearts for hundreds of years, and have become more than a tradition.
From "The Christmas Song" to "O Holy Night" to "The Little Drummer Boy," classic Christmas carols have become a major part of the holiday season and worked their ways into family life and popular culture. Thus, old Christmas favorites, which have some of the warmest spots in our hearts, get constant reimaginings and covers from all of music's major players.
But what versions of all the Christmas songs are the best? We here at Music Times are determined to find out. And, as a part of the 12 days of Christmas, we'll be counting down the days (and the best Christmas songs).
It's Dec. 19, and a mere five days remain until Christmas, and you may be feeling a little laggy. Stores are crowded, snow is making travel difficult and having your entire family over for a good old fashioned Christmas sounded like a good idea until your mom started criticizing your cooking again. So, how do you get a little pick-me-up? How about some danceable, happy "Jingle Bell Rock?"
Originally recorded by Bobby Helms in 1958, "Jingle Bell Rock" has become an American holiday standard, mixing together a little pep with some classic Christmas. But, who has done the song the most justice?
Here are the 5 best versions of "Jingle Bell Rock."
5. Straight No Chaser
Straight No Chaser always deliver solid Christmas tracks, and its take on "Jingle Bell Rock" is no exception. Each member's voices blend perfectly together in the way that only a cappella groups can pull off, and the true jolly feelings of this song truly shine through.
4. The Muppets
As established earlier in the week, it wouldn't be the holiday season without the Muppets. So, when Jim Henson's creations take on any Christmas carol, it's bound to be a good time. "Jingle Bell Rock," which is arguably one of the happier songs to begin with, is no exception. Kermit and a lil' frog start off with "Jingle Bells," and then the track explodes into a full blown, jazzy "Jingle Bell Rock."
3. Brenda Lee
A tiny country twang helps to make this version of "Jingle Bell Rock" shine, and the song had notable chart success, appearing on Billboard's Christmas Songs list in 1964 and '67. The old school vibes emanate from this track, and the classics are what the holidays are all about.
2. Hall & Oates
If you're looking for something just stupidly upbeat and happy, look no further than Daryl Hall and John Oates' cover of "Jingle Bell Rock." Full of peppy little guitars, jingle bells for days and days and plenty of little vocal slides, Hall & Oates just made the holidays 200 percent more jolly. And if you're still not overdosed on sweetness, check out the accompanying music video.
1. Bobby Helms
Like many Christmas songs, it's usually hard to beat the original version, and that holds true for "Jingle Bell Rock." Bobby Helms' 1958 single is the perfect mid-tempo holiday track. There's the right amount of jingle bells, a little touch of a Christmas choir and that funky little guitar solo. This set such a high bar for Christmas classics that few are able to beat it.
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