If you grew up in a household that was anything like mine, your family will have its own compiled, established list of holiday classics.

My parents were more inclined towards the old-fashioned holiday hits – the likes of Mariah Carey and Wham! were strictly off-limits – so I have a special place in my heart for those ballads that have survived the decades and wake feelings of nostalgia whenever they’re played.

That’s probably why I got all fuzzy inside the first time I heard Carrie Underwood’s take on The Little Drummer Boy, which she sang as a heartwarming duet with her little boy…

The Little Drummer Boy is truly a timeless hit, I think we can all be in agreement on that.

Reportedly, the lyrics for the tune have their roots in a traditional Czech carol, with the song as we know it today believed to have been written by Katherine K. Davis in 1941.

As with any well-received holiday hit, it’s benefitted from numerous covers over the years: the likes of Bing Crosby, Johnny Cash and even Justin Bieber have produced their own versions.

The favorite version of this much-loved musical piece is something that differs from person to person based on taste, but the chances are you’ll find aspects to appreciate in all of them. After all, it’s a bona fide classic for a reason.

HOLLYWOOD, CA – SEPTEMBER 20: Carrie Underwood with her husband, Mike Fisher and their son, Isaiah Michael Fisher attend the ceremony honoring Carrie Underwood with a Star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame held on September 20, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Michael Tran/FilmMagic,)

Yet I can’t deny that I was overcome with an especially warm feeling upon first hearing Carrie Underwood’s cover from 2020, recorded alongside her then-5-year-old son Isaiah.

For those who don’t know – we hope there aren’t many of you – Carrie Underwood is a country music icon who has captivated and charmed audiences time and again over the years.

When she announced back in 2020 that she was releasing an album around everyone’s favorite festive season, holiday, it’s no understatement to say that the excitement among her fans was palpable.

The album in question featured a bewitching blend of holiday classics and original compositions created by Carrie herself. The song that stands out, at least for me, though, is the 11th track… yep, you guess it: The Little Drummer Boy.

In a truly special duet, Carrie featured alongside her aforementioned son Isaiah, who took on the challenge of providing the iconic vocals… and knocked it out the park.