Susan Boyle Performs Poignant Rendition Of 'Little Drummer Boy' — With A Spin

Dec 25, 2020

Susan Boyle became an instant sensation throughout the world after she appeared on the third series of Britain's Got Talent. Although that introduction aired over a decade ago, Boyle has managed a level of staying power rarely seen by TV stars. That performance of the Les Mis classic "I Dreamed a Dream" has been seen millions of times, including the scowling and then shocked face of Simon Cowell.

In 2013, the Scottish singer performed her rendition of Little Drummer Boy on the Paul O'Grady Show.

It's hard to forget Boyle's angelic voice. Even those who weren't fans of Britain's Got Talent in 2009 repeatedly heard how Boyle stole the show. She amazed the hosts, and she endeared herself to the fans. As expected, her cover of this beloved Christmas time classic was not only moving and heartfelt, but also featured its very own spin fitting for the famous singer.

Whether you've never seen it or have watched Susan Boyle's audition clip a dozen times, it never fails to impress. Susan Boyle reached international fame after her impressive audition on the third season of Britain's Got Talent. The episode aired on April 11th, 2009, and the singer blew both the judges — and the audience — away with her powerful rendition of "I Dreamed a Dream" from the musical Les Miserablés. The audition was so successful that Boyle even was credited for being responsible for a spike in ticket sales for a Vancouver theatre production of the beloved french musical. According to E!Online, Sara-Jeanne Hosie of The Arts Club Theatre Company in Vancouver said:

"I'm excited that, with her spirit and incredible voice, Susan Boyle has connected people to the beauty and power of this song. But mostly it's a relief that if I get hit by a bus, the Arts Club knows exactly who to ask to replace me!"

Boyle's audition had an instant and widespread impact that shot her from being on no one's radar to almost everyone's Youtube watch list, but that was only the start of her momentum. Over the following years, she would be featured in several shows and garner more and more fame and fans all over the globe.

Only two years after her successful audition, Susan Boyle came out with her own book that told the story of her less-than-glamorous upbringing. "The Woman I was Born to Be: My Story" is Boyle's memoir that was published by Atria Books of Simon & Schuster in the summer of 2011. The publisher's website on the book pegs Boyle as "a modest middle-aged woman from a village in Scotland." The spot-on description alludes to the rather normal life Susan had before being on television, such as "singing karaoke in local pubs." The book shot Susan to another level of common household inquiry, as readers were given access to the insights on how "this astonishing transformation has not always been easy for her, faced with all the trappings of celebrity, but in the whirlwind of attention and expectation, she has always found calm and clarity in music. Susan was born to sing."

The singer's instantaneous fame changed her life overnight and over the years. However, for some celebrities, these changes are often disastrous. A life of excess and rampant spending is often the mark of quick-found fame. However, Boyle has not fallen into the trap. Despite her incredible success, the Scottish singer has retained a modest life that harkens back to her humble beginnings, which is no small feat for somebody suddenly faced with notoriety and large amounts of money.

Boyle grew up in Blackburn, West Lothian with her parents: father Patrick Boyle and mother Bridget. Patrick Boyle had served in the Second World War, was a miner, and even a singer himself for a point in time. Aside from being a mother, Bridget worked as a shorthand typist. Boyle's mother Bridget had her when she was 45 years old, and she was her mother's last kid after having Boyle's five sisters and four brothers — a big family indeed. Things were tight in the Boyle household every now and then, which is not surprising with so many children around to feed and clothe.

Boyle attended Edinburgh Acting School and was a student under vocal coach Fred O'Neil for singing lessons. After her schooling, Boyle performed at local venues before moving on to bigger stardom.

Since achieving fame — through various avenues, but most prominently her participation as a contestant on Britain's Got Talent — Boyle said she only has one regret, and it centered around her parents Patrick and Bridget. Susan said:

“I just wish my mum and dad had been here to see it all. I think they would have been very proud and very happy. But no doubt they are looking down on me.”

During the time the Paul O'Grady Show ran (from 2004 to 2015), Susan Boyle delighted the world again as a guest on that show. In 2013, at Paul O'Grady's invitation, Boyle shared a favorite Christmas carol. And although we'd heard the song before, we were not disappointed.

Joined by backup singers, Boyle began quietly in her beautiful, clear voice. The background hum and the reverent beginning set the tone for the song we know and love. During the second stanza, real drummer boys join the music. As the song goes on, its quaint tone and familiar rhythm are extremely comforting. 

In an interesting yet unsurprising twist, bagpipes join the scene in the middle of the song. A brief bagpipe solo suddenly feels right at home. Listeners who know the song might be surprised by this arrangement. Bagpipes are not usually part of this particular song, but they fit perfectly in this rendition and have a special connection to the singer herself. After all, Boyle is Scottish. And the piper in his kilt provides just the solemnity and impressive tone that fits the middle of the song. 

When Boyle resumes singing along with the bagpipes, the backup singers move from their introductory hum to full singing. The rich sound lends a triumphant atmosphere that's impossible to ignore. It also accompanies the singer's outstanding voice wonderfully and doesn't overpower it in any way.

With the final stanza's words, "Then He smiled at me ... me and my drum", the song returns to the quiet reverent tone of the beginning. It's meditative, humble, peaceful, thought-provoking, and beautiful. Susan Boyle entered into stardom later in life, and we find her story inspiring because she seems so relatable.

And if we think about it, isn't the Little Drummer Boy's story a little like that? He was a regular guy, humbly presenting what he had. Susan and Drummer Boy: we thank you both for using your resources and talents to enrich lives!

For those of us who are a bit older, the Christmas song The Little Drummer Boy reminds us of our childhoods. The song, for those who don't know, came out in its most popular incarnation in December of 1958. Katherine Kennicott Davis —a teacher and musician — wrote the song in 1941 based on a traditional Czech song. Mysteriously, historians have never been able to identify the original song upon which Drummer Boy was based. Moreover, if it weren't for the Trapp Family Singers, who were the first to record the track in 1951, Davis' version might have also fallen into obscurity. With that said, the song's most popular version didn't come out until Harry Simeone saw widespread success in the late 1950s with his rendition. The song was featured on Simeone's Christmas album, and both the song and record were a massive success. The single hit the top 40 charts, re-appearing on the charts for years thereafter.

Since then musicians from across different genres have covered the popular Christmas tune. In fact, there are more than 220 known versions of the song, which is quite amazing considering its humble origins as an unknown track from a school teacher. Though there are too many amazing covers of the song to list here, some of the most notable musicians to have covered the track include Bing Crosby in 1962, Johnny Cash in 1963, Marlene Dietrich in 1964, The Supremes in 1965, Jimi Hendrix in 1969, and Susan Boyle in 2013.

There are even covers in different languages! In Spanish-speaking countries, the song is called El niño del tambor (The boy of the drum) or El tamborilero whereas the French version is L'enfant au tambour (The boy with a drum). Again, to think that all of these covers originated from a Czech folk song decades ago is unfathomable given that some of the world's best musicians have gone on to cover it. Katherine Kennicott Davis, the original composer, would probably be astounded if she were still alive today. While much of her music remains undiscovered, another famous track that Davis composed is Let All Things Now Living, which is also based on another traditional song — the Welsh tune The Ash Grove.

In any case, Susan Boyle will keep Davis' memory alive with her incredible rendition of The Little Drummer Boy, which you can watch below.

Paul O'Grady described Susan Boyle as a "singing sensation" and an "international star." Do you agree with O'Grady? Tell us what you think and inspire your friends with the richness of this beautiful music.