Jingle Bell Rock
Jingle Bell Rock is an American Christmas song that Bobby Helms released in 1957. It has become a holiday staple and is often considered Helms’s signature tune.
Origins and style: The song was written by Joseph Beal and James Boothe. Helms and guitarist Hank Garland later claimed they rewrote an earlier version called Jingle Bell Hop and gave it the familiar melody and tempo, but they didn’t receive writing credits. The song mixes Christmas imagery with a swinging rock and roll feel and even nods to other 1950s hits like Rock Around the Clock.
Recording and release: The original recording, produced by Paul Cohen, features Hank Garland on electric guitar and backing by the Anita Kerr Singers. It was recorded in October 1957 and released on Decca in late November 1957.
Notable versions: Helms re-recorded Jingle Bell Rock several times. Brenda Lee recorded a version in 1964 for her Merry Christmas from Brenda Lee album. Other artists who covered the song include Hall & Oates (1983), Lindsay Lohan (2022), The Vivienne and Tia Kofi (2021), Max Bygraves (1959), and Chubby Checker & Bobby Rydell (1961).
Chart history and legacy: The original became popular on both pop and country charts in the late 1950s. It has enjoyed renewed chart life in later years, entering the Billboard Hot 100 in 2016, reaching the top 10 in 2019, and climbing to No. 3 by 2020. By 2019 the song had sold about 891,000 copies in the United States. The track has also appeared in media like Disney’s D-TV and remains a festive favorite around the world each Christmas season.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 12:53 (CET).