The holiday season is one of our favorite times of year! From decorations, charitable gifts, and holiday music, there is so much to enjoy!
Over the years, holiday music has become a staple in our society. Many of the classics have been covered over and over again and have become ICONIC in our holiday routines. With so many to choose from, we have some favorite versions to share!
Read on for the best versions of well-known Holiday songs to listen to during the season. Today’s post: Top 10 Classic Covers
Winter Wonderland: Tony Bennett
Originally written and released in 1934 and sung by Richard Himber. This one is often turned into an acapella song, but Tony Bennett’s cover feels like a warm, cozy blanket.
O Come All Ye Faithful: Nat King Cole
The origins of this song are a bit muddy and date back as far as the 13th century. It has certainly garnered a lot of interest with it being covered by hundreds of artists over the years, none as solid as Nat King Cole’s cover.
Silent Night: The Temptations
Likely one of the most recognizable holiday songs, this one was originally written in German, in Austria, in the 1800s. The first verse has been used more times than one can count as a way to celebrate the holiday season.
Jingle Bells: Ella Fitzgerald
In 1850, when this song was first released, it was titled “One Horse Open Sleigh”. It wasn’t until closer to the 1900s when it took on the name we now know it by so famously.
I’ll be Home for Christmas: Dean Martin
Bing Crosby’s 1943 original will always hold a special place in our hearts, but Dean Martin’s version has to be celebrated.
Jingle Bell Rock: Brenda Lee
I can’t not think of the “Mean Girls” version of this song, which was originally recorded by Bobby Helms in 1957. However this version really is easier on the ears…
Little Drummer Boy: Jackson 5
The Jackson 5 weren’t known for their holiday music, but they took this song which was originally sung by the Austrian Trapp Family, making the Jackson 5 an ideal artist to remake it.
Ave Maria: Aretha Franklin
With a song this big, very few artists can hold a candle to Aretha Franklin’s version. The song was first written in Latin and retains some of it’s original wording in the version we know now.
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year: Patti LaBelle
Andy Williams 1963 original is pretty well-known, but Patti LaBelle might have put that to shame.
Holly Jolly Christmas: Dolly Parton
This 1962 classis has been covered often in the Country World. We have to feature Dolly’s version because…well…it’s Dolly.
Honorable Mentions:
Blue Christmas: Elvis Presley
Although most believe that Elvis was the original artist for this song, it was actually put out by Doye O’Dell almost 10 years before Elvis recorded it.
Do You Hear What I Hear: Whitney Houston
This song was first released in 1962 by the by the Harry Simeone Choral. Whitney Houston adds her usual flare on this cover.
