Everything changes according to time and what’s interesting, including music style and taste. Over the years, some of the most popular classic Christmas songs have been redone and re-recorded to match the world’s current sound. While the original versions are all great, are the newer versions better?

Thurl Ravenscroft vs. Glee Cast- You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch

Thurl Ravenscroft’s 1996 original version of the child’s song, “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch”, is sung in a slow, deep, crawling voice that punctuates exactly the type of person Mr. Grinch is. The music flows around Ravenscroft’s words in a way that’s recognizable to anyone. 44 years later, the kings and queens of cover songs make their own twist on the creepy classic. For the Glee version of the song, K.D. Lang and Matthew Morrison change the title and lyrics to “Sue the Grinch” for a character in their Christmas episode, but the song is fitting all the same. Although it’s not quite as slow or dark sounding, it still lands its purpose in describing the vile creature that is the Grinch. Personally, I prefer the original mostly because of the recognizable tone of it. The song was made for Ravenscroft’s voice and the music is such a vital part to me that changing it didn’t work as well.

Bobby Helps vs. Blake Shelton- Jingle Bell Rock

One of the happiest and mood fitting Christmas songs of all time might be “Jingle Bell Rock”, sung originally by Bobby Helps in 1957. Helps has a very cheery and jolly voice that pops out the mood of the song. For his 2012 Christmas album, Blake Shelton brings back the track and features his wife, Miranda Lambert, in it. It has a southern twist in the vocals and a rockier sound for the music, which surprisingly works really well. The two voices singing together at a faster pace than the original gives a sense of family in a way, and adds to the spirit of the holidays. Surprisingly, I like Blake’s version better, which is something I didn’t think I would since I’m such a huge fan of the original. However, it’s almost happier and gives off vibes that only a perfect holiday song could.

Brenda Lee vs. Miley Cyrus- Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree

Brenda Lee’s 1958 “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” is fourth on the list of best-selling Christmas records of all time, and it’s there for a reason. It incorporates several other popular holiday jingles and is a perfect way to start off the Christmas spirit. It stays true to its words of getting a “sentimental feeling” as it describes what sounds like the perfect Christmas. Although not as recent as the other remixed songs on this list, Miley Cyrus’s 2006 version the song is just as good. Of course, as it was sung at the height of her career as Hannah Montana, it’s got a Disney Channel touch to it that just helps bring out the cheer. As a kid, this was always my favorite version of any holiday song from the time I saw Cyrus perform it at the Christmas parade while opening presents, and it’s stayed in my favor ever since.

Christmas songs will continue to be passed down and remade for generations and generations to come, and while some won’t live up to the legacy of the original, some might rise above and lift the holiday spirits even more.