Darth Vader, Muppets, Dupstep, Destiny’s Child and More – 7 Outstanding Versions of ‘Carol of the Bells’

From November 1st to December 26th we tolerate a crescendo of holiday themed music. It seems that any song with sleigh bell is classified as a Christmas song. There are great Christmas songs, but there is just so much dreck that is used to fill time between the good ones. This has led me on an eternal quest for the best songs of the Yuletide season.

This year I've rounded up seven spectacular versions of one of my favorite Christmas tunes, Carol of the Bells. The song was composed in 1904 by Mykola Leontovych, it is based on an ancient Ukrainian New Years chant. I love this piece, it has a simple power that is woven into many layers that build into a beautiful proclamation of Christmas glory. It is a solid and strong song, which means that it is able to be reinterpret in lots of really cool ways.

This first one is by the YouTube sensations Pentatonix. They do an awesome acepella performance of the song.

Next is an instrumental version played on cellos by The Piano Guys.

Now, this is the version that started my Bells journey. This version popped into my mind out of nowhere recently. I'd forgotten that Bone Thugs N Harmony did this song and as soon as I remembered it I had to hear it.

When I found the Bone version on YouTube, the sacred algorithm suggest that I would like this version. And the darned A.I. was right. How did it know I like Dubstep?.

And of course, The Muppets.

Destiny's Child did a nice acepella version on their 8 Days of Christmas album called Opera Of The Bells .

Finally, here's a video from 2011 where Darth Vader conducts a flash mob rendition of Carol of the Bells to help some university students relax during exam week.