“Jingle Bells” the oldest surviving recording is by the Edison Male Quartet in this medley from 1898.

“Jingle Bells” was not a Christmas song! It was written in the mid-19th century by James Pierpont, who was living in the Southern US at the time and missing the snowy winters of his home in New England. Seems it was a popular Parlour song and played around the Thanksgiving holiday. It notes the beginning of winter, and as time went on the two holidays and subsequently the music, just got linked together.

As Christmas and Holiday songs dominate the most recorded songs of all time list it is no surprise this is the 9th most covered song with 1569 versions. The second recording was twenty seven years later in 1925 by the Shannon Quartet.

The upbeat recording by Bing Crosby and The Andrew Sisters from 1945 remains one of the most popular versions still today.

The amazing Katharine McPhee

Michael Bublé featuring The Puppini Sisters in the style of Bing and The Andrew Sisters.

Happy Hanukkah!