UPDATE

A while ago, we asked you to vote for your favorite Christmas song. And wow, you guys did not disappoint! We received more than 15,000 votes — thank you! As promised, we will explain the winning song in a special edition of our Songs Explain series. So, without further ado, your favorite Christmas song is…Happy Xmas (War Is Over) by John Lennon and Yoko Ono! WHOOP WHOOP!

While our Songs Explained team is busy taking the song apart, you can pass the time checking last year’s winner, Silent Night. Happy jamming!

Original Blog Post – November 19, 2021

It’s (almost) the most wonderful time of the year! Yes, we are as shocked as you are. But the retail store window displays, familiar jingles on the radio and the commercials on TV leave no doubt: The holiday season is upon us! And again, we ask — where, oh where, has the year gone? 

Songs Explained Holiday Edition

The question is, what to do with the six weeks that lie between now and Christmas? Well, there are gifts to buy, cards to write and Christmas parties — real-life and digital —  to organize. But here at Chordify, we suggest you pass the time by practising your favorite holiday tunes, so that you can impress your loved ones on Christmas. 

Last year, we asked you which Christmas song you’d like us to tackle in a special edition of our Songs Explained series. By popular demand, we’re back for more musical holiday shenanigans! This year, you can once again vote for one of four holiday bangers. The winning song, its structure, story and chords will then be explained by our Content Team. 

So, without further ado, the nominees are…

  1. Jingle Bell Rock – Bobby Helms

For 64 years, this iconic Christmas song has delighted radio listeners around the world. Covered over the decades by many artists, the original version by Bobby Helms remains the most well-known and beloved of them all. A sweet combination of basic triads and seventh chords, “Jingle Bell Rock” is the perfect track to strengthen those playing skills.

  1. Happy Xmas (War Is Over) – John Lennon & Yoko Ono

Another seasonal favorite, this track conceived by Yoko Ono and the ex-Beatle is an ode to peace as much as it is a Christmas song. Released two months after Lennon’s Magnum Opus “Imagine”, “Happy Xmas” follows similar themes, and has become a staple in every Christmas Hits playlist. 

Apart from that, it’s a great song to practice major and minor triads in the 3/4 time signature. And for those who want something a little more complicated, there is one seventh chord to practice.

3. We Wish You A Merry Christmas – Enya

We Wish You A Merry Christmas” is a famous traditional Christmas carol that has been covered by many popular artists — including Enya. The song has its roots somewhere in south-western England, but the actual history of the carol and its lyrics remain unknown. Enya released her version of the song in 2006, adding her typical atmospheric sound to the song. 

4. Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree – Brenda Lee

Penney by Johnny Marks, who also conceived “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer”, and recorded by the then 13 year old Brenda Lee, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” is another true holiday classic that stood the test of time. It’s since been covered many times, by artists such as Kim Wilde, Justin Bieber and Kacey Musgraves. 

But the original version, with its distinct country and rockabilly sound, is still our favorite. It’s also a great tune to practise some chords in a flat key, if that’s the kind of challenge you’re looking for!

Vote for your favorite Christmas song

Well, folks, there you have it! These are our four contenders for this year’s Christmas edition of Songs Explained. Who will be our winner? That’s up to you. You can cast your vote here, until the 28th of November. We’re gonna hold off on wishing you happy holidays for just a bit longer, so we’ll just leave you, as always, with Happy Jamming!

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