Jingle Bell Rock was first released by Bobby Helms in 1957. It was composed by Joseph Carleton Beal and James Ross Boothe. Jingle Bell Rock has been performed by many, but Helms' version is the most known in the world. Its title and some of its lyrics are takeoffs on the old Christmas standard, Jingle Bells. It makes brief references to other popular songs of the 1950s, such as Rock Around The Clock and mentions going to a Jingle hop. An electric guitar played by Hank Garland can be heard playing the first notes to the chorus from "Jingle Bells."