# Carol of the Bells - new and different? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 21, 2004, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carol-of-the-bells-new-and-different/281028 "2004-12-21T19:56:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carol-of-the-bells-new-and-different/281028/1 "2004-12-21T19:56:16Z")
Just about the only Christmas carol my son-in-law likes is the Carol of the Bells. My daughter suggested that for Christmas I could make him a compilation CD with a bunch of different versions of the song. I’m trying to figure out who’s done it, and I only came up with a few. Can anyone recommend any good versions? He likes all kinds of music, but is a particular fan of punk & heavy metal. A good guitar or bass track is a big plus. I don’t want to buy full CDs to get these tracks, so anything you could recommend that’s available on iTunes or one of the free services would be fantastic. Thanks, folks! Oh, I already got Barenaked Ladies and Al DiMeola’s versions, and a good orchestral one. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carol-of-the-bells-new-and-different/281028/2 "2004-12-21T20:01:56Z")
The Broadway cast of Blast did the song on [Broadway’s Greatest Gifts: Carols for a Cure 2001](http://store.yahoo.com/broadwaycares/cdh060-01.html). This is one of the best Carols for a Cure CDS, and the money is going to two good causes. ---
**Author:** ![BubbaDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bubbadog/32/333_2.png) [@BubbaDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BubbaDog)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carol-of-the-bells-new-and-different/281028/3 "2004-12-21T20:08:08Z")
Gary Hoey has a hard driving guitar version of the song that you may recognize as its used a lot in backgrounds for video. The song is on one of his Ho-Ho Hoey Christmas CDs. I have it on “The Best of Ho-Ho Hoey”. Its my favorite song on this CD and my favorite version of anybody’s Carol of the Bells. [Link](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00005QG85/qid=1103659924/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/002-9228635-6261604?v=glance&s=music) ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carol-of-the-bells-new-and-different/281028/4 "2004-12-21T20:08:20Z")
> [@InvisibleWombat](#): > > He likes all kinds of music, but is a particular fan of punk & heavy metal. A good guitar or bass track is a big plus. Well, I was shopping over the weekend, and I heard an over-orchestrated, testosterone-heavy _CotB_ that seemed intent on pummelling me into the Holiday Spirit (before, presumably, I collapsed into a coma). Truly atrocious, but maybe up his alley. 😕 In my panic to leave, I didn’t catch the artist. 😉 George Winston has a good version on the winter album everyone seems to have (for good reason): **December**. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carol-of-the-bells-new-and-different/281028/5 "2004-12-21T20:26:37Z")
An album was just released of eastern European songs sung by female singers and it includes the original in Ukranian(?), which was about a completely different subject. I heard about it on NPR on Sunday, might still be up on their website somewhere but I couldn’t find it. It sounded quite lovely. ---
**Author:** ![BubbaDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bubbadog/32/333_2.png) [@BubbaDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BubbaDog)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carol-of-the-bells-new-and-different/281028/6 "2004-12-21T20:28:46Z")
Also [Mannheim Steamroller](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000005MV/qid=1103660317/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8__i1_xgl15/002-9228635-6261604?v=glance&s=music&n=507846) ---
**Author:** ![Sauron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@Sauron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sauron)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carol-of-the-bells-new-and-different/281028/7 "2004-12-21T20:31:50Z")
The Trans-Siberian Orchestra has my absolute favorite version of “Carol of the Bells.” It features two electric guitars, a couple of keyboards, a string section, and drums. It’s completely instrumental. One note, though: It’s not identified as “Carol of the Bells” on the CD. It’s called “Christmas Eve Sarajevo” or something similar. It can be found on TSO’s “Christmas Eve and Other Stories” CD. ---
**Author:** ![sciguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e68b1a/32.png) [@sciguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciguy)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carol-of-the-bells-new-and-different/281028/8 "2004-12-21T20:37:18Z")
Depending on son-in-law’s tastes (and availability), there’s a quirky version on the “Mr Hanky Christmas special” CD (South Park). It’s sung by Mr. Mackey (the counseler) with the lyrics: _Hark, hear the bells Sweet silver bells all seem to say Ding, dong, mmm-kay._ No worries about anything offensive on that track, either, although YMMV with the rest of the album. I personally find it hilarious, and surprisingly well done, with multiple “versions” of Mr Mackey’s voice handling the harmonizing. ---
**Author:** ![Jenny\_Haniver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Jenny\_Haniver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jenny_Haniver)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carol-of-the-bells-new-and-different/281028/9 "2004-12-21T20:39:55Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > An album was just released of eastern European songs sung by female singers and it includes the original in Ukranian(?), which was about a completely different subject. I heard about it on NPR on Sunday, might still be up on their website somewhere but I couldn’t find it. It sounded quite lovely. The group was called **Kitka** , and it’s on the album _Wintersongs_. I heard that broadcast too, and will be buying the album with Christmas money, cause honey, it rocked. ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carol-of-the-bells-new-and-different/281028/10 "2004-12-21T21:07:20Z")
> [@sciguy](#): > > Depending on son-in-law’s tastes (and availability), there’s a quirky version on the “Mr Hanky Christmas special” CD (South Park). It’s sung by Mr. Mackey (the counseler) with the lyrics: > > _Hark, hear the bells > Sweet silver bells > all seem to say > Ding, dong, mmm-kay._ > > No worries about anything offensive on that track, either, although YMMV with the rest of the album. > > I personally find it hilarious, and surprisingly well done, with multiple “versions” of Mr Mackey’s voice handling the harmonizing. Just want to second this one. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![kelly5078](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/6f9a4e/32.png) [@kelly5078](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kelly5078)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carol-of-the-bells-new-and-different/281028/11 "2004-12-21T21:10:59Z")
> [@Jenny Haniver](#): > > Quote: > Originally Posted by Telemark > An album was just released of eastern European songs sung by female singers and it includes the original in Ukranian(?), which was about a completely different subject. I heard about it on NPR on Sunday, might still be up on their website somewhere but I couldn’t find it. It sounded quite lovely. > > The group was called Kitka, and it’s on the album Wintersongs. I heard that broadcast too, and will be buying the album with Christmas money, cause honey, it rocked. [Here](http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4233277) you go. ---
**Author:** ![SmackFu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/53a042/32.png) [@SmackFu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmackFu)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carol-of-the-bells-new-and-different/281028/12 "2004-12-21T21:53:53Z")
On the OC, they had a great version by Guster, called “Carol of the Meows”. It’s on iTunes too. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carol-of-the-bells-new-and-different/281028/13 "2004-12-22T03:26:51Z")
Check out The Nylons and The Blenders for some great a capella versions. Both should be available from iTunes. ---
**Author:** ![Stealing\_Light](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/97f17d/32.png) [@Stealing\_Light](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stealing_Light)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carol-of-the-bells-new-and-different/281028/14 "2004-12-22T03:59:48Z")
Last year my fiancé made a compilation album of this song for his mom, who also loves it. Here’s the tracks for that CD: David Foster Boston Pops Orchestra Johnny Mathis (Home Alone Soundtrack) Leonard Bernstein & The New York Philharmonic The Carpenters Trans Siberian Ocrhestra (rock version) Bethlehem Choir and Ensemble Micheal Crawford Destiny’s Child (“Opera of the Bells”, not truly the real thing) Robert Shaw Chorale Mannheim Steamroller Vienna Boys Choir ---
**Author:** ![racinchikki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@racinchikki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racinchikki)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carol-of-the-bells-new-and-different/281028/15 "2004-12-22T04:04:27Z")
> [@Sauron](#): > > The Trans-Siberian Orchestra has my absolute favorite version of “Carol of the Bells.” It features two electric guitars, a couple of keyboards, a string section, and drums. It’s completely instrumental. > > One note, though: It’s not identified as “Carol of the Bells” on the CD. It’s called “Christmas Eve Sarajevo” or something similar. It can be found on TSO’s “Christmas Eve and Other Stories” CD. It’s not just Carol of the Bells, it’s also a bit of parts of the Nutcracker Suite and I think God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen is mixed up in there too, which is probably why they retitled it instead of saying it was just Carol of the Bells. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carol-of-the-bells-new-and-different/281028/16 "2004-12-22T04:57:57Z")
**InvisibleWombat,** mind if I hijack your thread a little instead of starting another thread about the same song? You beat me to it, kind of. During the 90s they played an Absolut Vodka commercial with this song being ice-skated to, for two or three christmas in a row. Does anyone know **who** was singing it in the commericial? It has the best vocals of any version I’ve ever heard and I’ve been trying to figure it out for what seems like _forever_. ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carol-of-the-bells-new-and-different/281028/17 "2004-12-22T05:10:00Z")
Forget a capella and guitar versions, where can I find an all-bell version? ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carol-of-the-bells-new-and-different/281028/18 "2004-12-22T06:02:09Z")
> [@Sauron](#): > > The Trans-Siberian Orchestra has my absolute favorite version of “Carol of the Bells.” It features two electric guitars, a couple of keyboards, a string section, and drums. It’s completely instrumental. > > One note, though: It’s not identified as “Carol of the Bells” on the CD. It’s called “Christmas Eve Sarajevo” or something similar. It can be found on TSO’s “Christmas Eve and Other Stories” CD. if you do buy the CD be sure to read the liner notes when listening to the CD the first time. They tie the entire CD into one story. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Sauron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@Sauron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sauron)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carol-of-the-bells-new-and-different/281028/19 "2004-12-22T14:05:34Z")
> [@Rick](#): > > if you do buy the CD be sure to read the liner notes when listening to the CD the first time. They tie the entire CD into one story. > 🆒 I can actually do you one better than that … my wife surprised me with tickets to TSO when they came through Birmingham in November. Quite simply, it was the single best concert I’ve ever attended in my life. Truly a magical experience. And yes, the story is quite good. **racinchikki** , I know the TSO’s version begins with a brief cello solo from “God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen” but I wasn’t aware they mixed in stuff from “The Nutcracker Suite.” Are you sure about that? ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carol-of-the-bells-new-and-different/281028/20 "2004-12-22T14:16:03Z")
The nutcracker is part of an earlier cut on the CD [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carol-of-the-bells-new-and-different/281028.md?page=2)