The Story Behind “The Little Drummer Boy” and Its Most Iconic Versions

“The Little Drummer Boy” is a popular Christmas song written by American composer Katherine Kennicott Davis in 1941. It is a little odd that there were ten years between the music being written and the song being first recorded. It was first recorded in 1951 by the Austrian Trapp Family, who were the famous subjects of the movie “The Sound of Music.”

The song was further popularized by a 1958 recording by the Harry Simeone Chorale. The Simeone Chorale version of “The Little Drummer Boy,” which came seven years later, was successful for several years. In the lyrics of “Little Drummer Boy,” the singer tells how, as a poor young boy, he was summoned by the Magi after the birth of Jesus. The little boy did not have a gift; instead, the boy played his drum with approval from Jesus’ mother, Mary. Do you think the Bowie and Crosby Version of this song is the best?

“Little Drummer Boy” Explanation

“Little Drummer Boy” was originally titled “Carol of the Drum.” It is strange that the title of the song changed. It has been speculated that the song is very loosely based on a Czechoslovakian carol, but scholars have argued that it is not.

Davis produced material for amateur and girls’ choirs. Her manuscript is set as a chorale, in which the “Little Drummer Boy” is in the soprano melody with alto harmony, tenor, and bass parts producing the “drum rhythm” and a keyboard accompaniment for rehearsal only. It is interesting that in this version of the song, the music is in the fashion of a drumbeat.

The song “Carol of the Drum” was liked by the Austrian Trapp Family Singers. They first brought the song to wider prominence when they recorded it in 1951. In 1957, the song was recorded with a changed arrangement by Jack Halloran for his Jack Halloran Singers on their Dot Records album Christmas Is A-Comin’. This was probably one of the most noteworthy.

The single scored in the top forty of the U.S. music charts from 1958 to 1962. In 1965, Simeone re-recorded a new version of the song for his album O’ Bambino: The Little Drummer Boy. This version was 3:18 long and was recorded in stereo.

Some “Little Drummer Boy” Renditions

“The Little Drummer Boy” has been recorded by many artists over time. It has not been covered as much as “Silent Night,” but it has been covered a lot. Here are some noteworthy examples:

• Frank Sinatra was one of the first to cover the song in 1964. The album had 12 Songs of Christmas.
• Stevie Wonder recorded the song to be included on his 1967 album Someday at Christmas.
• Also in 1981, a pop punk/hard rock version served as the final track on Joan Jett and the Blackhearts’ album I Love Rock ‘n Roll, which everyone has heard. Jett’s version has the traditional lyrics of “ass and lamb” instead of “ox and lamb.” In another line, traditionally, “Mary nodded” is changed.
• In the oddest and most noteworthy version of the song. A duet by the pairing of Bing Crosby and David Bowie. It was Crosby’s final holiday television special (“Bing Crosby’s Merrie Olde Christmas,” 1977). The medley titled “Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy.” In 1982, it reached No. 3 on the United Kingdom chart.
• Terry Wogan and Aled Jones covered the 1977 David Bowie/Bing Crosby duet, “Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy;” after a brief campaign amongst listeners of BBC Radio 2 instigated by Chris Evans to get the song released in support of the Children in Need charity, it was released as a single on 8 December 2008, reaching No. 3 in the United Kingdom Top 40 singles chart.
• Justin Bieber also covered the song, simply named “Drummer Boy.” He sang with Busta Rhymes, in another odd pairing. On Bieber’s 2011 Christmas album, Under the Mistletoe, adding rap verses. The song is listed among the Greatest of All Time Holiday 100 Songs chart by Billboard.
• Tori Amos released a version of the song on her 1994 album “Under The Pink.”

Conclusion

“Little Drummer Boy” is a traditional Christmas song that is played after the birth of Jesus. There are many versions, but the version by David Bowie and Bing Crosby is the strangest and nicest. However, it is not the most popular version. Though the version by Justin Bieber and Busta Rhymes is also strange.