Fri Dec 19 13:00:00 UTC 2025: Summary:
A senior lecturer in Music Production at Nottingham Trent University, Samuel J. Bennett, explores the use of specific musical elements in Christmas songs, particularly sleigh bells, to evoke feelings of nostalgia and the festive season. He applies semiotics to understand how these sounds have become associated with Christmas through cultural and historical contexts. He notes that modern Christmas music often incorporates elements reminiscent of the past, like crooning vocals and orchestral arrangements, to tap into our nostalgic feelings. Bennett highlights how artists like Michael Bublé successfully utilize these elements to create quintessentially Christmassy music.
News Article:
Jingle Bells Ring in Christmas Nostalgia: Music Expert Explains Holiday Soundscape
Nottingham, UK – Ever wondered why certain songs instantly transport you to Christmas? A music expert at Nottingham Trent University has uncovered the secret ingredients behind the festive soundscape. Samuel J. Bennett, a Senior Lecturer in Music Production, argues that specific musical elements, especially the ubiquitous sleigh bell, act as cultural signals, immediately conjuring up images of snow, sleighs, and the holidays.
Drawing on the principles of semiotics, Bennett explains that these associations are not inherent but developed over time. Just as the pedal guitar became synonymous with country music, sleigh bells have evolved from their practical purpose to become a musical shorthand for Christmas.
Beyond sleigh bells, Bennett highlights the importance of nostalgia in Christmas music. Modern artists often emulate classic styles, like the crooning vocals of Bing Crosby or Nat King Cole, and incorporate traditional instrumentation, appealing to our yearning for a simpler past. Even contemporary artists like Billie Eilish have adopted these vintage sounds for their Christmas performances.
Bennett points to Michael Bublé’s “Christmas” album as a prime example of successfully blending these elements. With its crooning vocals, orchestral arrangements, and, of course, sleigh bells, it embodies the quintessential Christmas sound, tapping into our collective nostalgia and solidifying its place in the holiday music canon.
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