Hearing the same Christmas classics every year can leave you dreading the festive season and its seemingly never-ending loop of the same songs. But this year, the internet has fallen in love with an entirely new rendition of a song we all know a little too well.
Mongolia might not be the first, or even hundredth, place you'd associate with Christmas, but perhaps that is part of the magic of Ummet Ozcan's version of 'Jingle Bells' that has caused it to rack up millions of views and rave reviews.
Likely the first festive track to combine Mongolian throat singing, techno, and a 150-year-old Christmas song, Ozcan's new rendition has been called the 'best version so far' and had people say they 'would have way more fun shopping if this played in the stores.'
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This take on the 1857 composition cuts most of the 'dashing through the snow' lyrics, simply repeating 'Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way, oh what fun it is to ride in a Mongolian open sleigh' in the country's traditional reverberating singing style.
It's been a hit with listeners (@UmmetOzcanOfficial/YouTube)
It's been a hit with listeners (@UmmetOzcanOfficial/YouTube)
Dutch DJ Ozcan, who is of Turkish heritage, was encouraged to release a full-length track after showcasing a short throat-singing version of the Christmas classic and sending the internet wild - dropping a full music video with people in traditional Mongolian garb dancing to his new hit.
With millions viewing the song within just days of release, Ozcan also released 'Mongolian Jingle Bells' on Spotify so that everyone can add it to their Christmas playlists.
Part of the song's instant appeal is its unique use of 'throat singing', a traditional singing style used on the wide open plains of Mongolia, where a herder creates a melody by manipulating their vocal cords to sing two notes simultaneously.
It even drew the approval of the big man himself, with the official 'Santa Claus' Instagram account sharing the track and saying: "The elves are rocking to this in the workshop right now. I keep having to remind them to stop dancing and finish up the last of the gift requests!"
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Sharing his innovative techno-Mongolian Christmas banger, the DJ said: "This started as a fun idea… and thanks to your insane requests, it turned into a full song and music video.
"Hope this brings some warmth and joy in the days leading up to Christmas."
And if Ozcan's version of 'Jingle Bells' has left you needing more Mongolian Christmas music, a desire that could never have existed before the internet, you actually might be in luck.
Back in the distant past of 2014, a Mongolian folk group called The Altai Band actually released a genuine throat-singing version of that Christmas classic.
Unlike Ozcan's techno banger, Altai use traditional instruments and gather around in a group to belt out a more melodic version in their own language and traditional garb.
While it's not quite 'rave at the Christmas party,' it left some listeners feeling the festive spirit.
One YouTube user remarked: "This has the same kind of emotional vibe as when family and friends would gather around and play with the guitar or banjo or whatever instruments. Where on the opposite side of the globe, here in Texas. But music really is the universal language."

Published Date:2025-12-25