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).
Just two days remain until Christmas Day, and in case you haven't, it's time to deck the halls. And what way is there to better do that than with "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree"?
Originally written by Johnny Marks for Brenda Lee in 1958, the track has become an upbeat Christmas classic. There are only two days until Christmas, so we have to pick just the two best versions of "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree." So, who has done this the best?
2. Miley Cyrus
Forget about all the modern day twerking, Miley Cyrus used to be better known as Hannah Montana, and as the girl who had the "Best of Both Worlds," she recorded a super poppy, ridiculously happy version of "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree." Cyrus generally keeps the same spirit of the song, but to help appeal to her uber-young fanbase, she added a bunch of perky inflections, some small jazzy vocal inflections and way too much energy. This is like, Disney sugar sweet. But, hey, there's no denying this version is f-u-n fun and it's kid friendly, unlike "Wrecking Ball."
1. Brenda Lee
Cyrus' version of "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree" may be full of espresso and pep, and while that's all super joyful, there's just no beating the 1958 original. Want something more impressive? Brenda Lee recorded this at just 13 years old, even though she sounds like a super seasoned pro. That small chorus of "Ooh" before Lee comes in is an instantly recognizable holiday classic, and this track has just the right amount of happiness and celebratory vibes without overdosing on the sweet like Cyrus' version. Moreover, the best holiday songs are the classics, and there's just no beating this one.
