Classic Christmas songs get a contemporary makeover

Students chime in and share their favorite holiday covers

One of the best parts of the holiday season is putting together holiday playlists to enjoy during your shower, parties, or that long car ride to your grandma’s house. Some enjoy listening to the old standards from our grandparents’ childhoods, but others enjoy singing along to the contemporary covers of the songs we know and cherish well. The following tunes are all new contemporary covers of classic Christmas songs we all know.

1. “The Little Drummer Boy” – Pentatonix

Originally released in 1958, the “Little Drummer Boy” became an instant hit following its release thanks to the song’s simple and catchy melody. Years later in 2013 the classic got a 21st Century makeover by the hit music group Pentatonix. In signature Pentatonix style, the song’s lyrics and instrumentals are performed solely by the use of the group’s voices. “I really love [Pentatonix’s] cover of the song, all of the singers voices really melt together and create a new beautiful version of the song,” senior Katie Jurvakainen said.

3. “Home This Christmas” – Justin Bieber featuring the Band Perry

Even Christmas music isn’t immune from Bieber Fever. Bieber loosely covered the original “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” by the Christmas music king, Bing Crosby. Originally written and recorded in 1943 to honor soldiers overseas, Bieber made his own twist with the song on his 2011 album Under The Mistletoe. While Bieber didn’t exactly cover the song, “Home This Christmas” is inspired by the Crosby classic, and re-envisioned in a way only Bieber could, leaving listeners just as content with this version as the original. “I really like how he makes the song his own, his voice sounds like a chorus of angels, and it just really makes me happy,” said senior Carley Washburn.

4. “Baby It’s Cold Outside” – Zooey Deschanel and Will Ferrell

Arguably one of the most popular Christmas songs ever, “Baby It’s Cold Outside” has been covered by artists like Dean Martin, Ray Charles, and Kelly Clarkson. In 2003 the song was covered in the classic holiday movie Elf featuring Zooey Deschanel and Will Ferrell. Deschanel’s unique voice helps create a version of the song unique to the film. “I like this version better than the original because it is a lot more fun, and the scene [the song is in] is so funny, so the song makes me laugh whenever I hear it,” junior Stephen Torres said.

5. – “Wonderful Christmastime” The Shins

Originally sung by Paul McCartney in 1979, “Wonderful Christmastime” is a upbeat and fun melody perfect for jamming out to in the car. In 2012, the Portland based Indie rock band The Shins covered the song, giving it a new sound while still maintaining its pop roots. With its alternative twist on the McCartney classic, the cover grew to become an instant hit and has even trumped Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You” for the most played song in retail stores. While the McCartney version received a lukewarm reception, The Shins cover shows that with a contemporary artist, you can make a old song new.