About the song
Willie Nelson’s take on Jingle Bells is more than just another rendition of a well-worn Christmas classic—it’s a charming, laid-back journey through holiday nostalgia, delivered with the unmistakable warmth of one of country music’s most beloved voices. While Jingle Bells has been covered countless times across genres, from jazz to rock to big-band orchestras, Nelson’s version stands apart, not by attempting to reinvent the wheel, but by embracing the song’s simple, timeless joy through his own distinctive musical lens.
At its core, Jingle Bells is a song built on buoyant energy and infectious cheer. Written by James Lord Pierpont in the 1850s, it has long been synonymous with the sound of Christmas, conjuring images of snow-covered landscapes, horse-drawn sleighs, and the pure exhilaration of winter festivities. Many artists approach the song with a bright, high-energy interpretation—big brass sections, children’s choirs, or dazzling orchestral flourishes. Nelson, however, does what he does best: he strips it down, relaxes the tempo, and infuses the melody with his signature brand of easygoing charm.
One of the defining elements of Nelson’s approach to music is his ability to make any song—regardless of its origins—feel deeply personal. His voice, rich with the wear of a lifetime spent telling stories, brings a unique character to Jingle Bells. There’s an undeniable warmth in his delivery, a sense that he’s not just singing a Christmas song but rather inviting the listener to sit by the fire, sip on something warm, and simply enjoy the moment.
Musically, Nelson’s version leans into his well-established outlaw country sensibilities. His guitar work on Trigger—his famously battered and beloved Martin N-20—adds an earthy, lived-in quality to the track. Unlike more polished, orchestral takes on the song, Nelson’s rendition feels wonderfully loose, almost as if he and his band are playing it casually in a cozy living room rather than a recording studio. There’s a sense of spontaneity, a naturalness that makes it feel welcoming rather than overly rehearsed.
Beyond the instrumentation and vocal delivery, Nelson’s Jingle Bells carries with it the spirit of his broader musical ethos. Willie Nelson has always been an artist who thrives on authenticity. Whether he’s crooning about lost love, rambling highways, or, in this case, the simple joys of dashing through the snow, he delivers each note with sincerity. This is what sets his version of Jingle Bells apart—it doesn’t try to be grandiose or overly festive. Instead, it revels in an understated joy, the kind of Christmas spirit that feels more about presence than presents.
For longtime Nelson fans, this track is a delightful addition to his vast catalog, reinforcing the idea that he can take even the most ubiquitous of songs and make them uniquely his own. For those simply looking for a holiday tune that feels a little more relaxed, a little more grounded, and a lot more Willie, this version of Jingle Bells is a perfect addition to any Christmas playlist.
Video
Lyrics
Dashing through the snow in a one horse open sleigh
Over the fields we go laughing all the way
Bells on bobtail ring making spirits bright
What fun it is to ride and sing a sleighing song tonight
Jingle bells jingle bells jingle all the way
Oh what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh
Jingle bells jingle bells…
A day or two ago I thought I’d take a ride
And soon Miss Fanny Bright seated by my side
The horse was lean and lank misfortune seemed his lot
We got into a drifted bank and there we got upsot
Jingle bells jingle bells…
