Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” debuted this year and is the number one song this holiday season, replacing Mariah Carey’s 1994 smash song “All I Want for Christmas is You.”
When Lee, 78, formerly known as Little Miss Dynamite, placed her Christmas song at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart on Monday, it shattered multiple records.
When the 1958 holiday classic was recorded, the singer was just 13 years old.
The 78-year-old has been commemorating “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” for 65 years prior to the announcement. Tanya Tucker and Trisha Yearwood starred in the song’s debut music video, which she released last month. She will also be a guest on Christmas at the Opry on NBC.
Lee’s beloved holiday tune becomes just the third holiday song to reach number one on the Billboard charts at its current position.
When the song hit number one, it broke the record for the longest time between a song’s release and its peak position. It also shattered the record for the longest time between consecutive No. 1 hits by an artist.
Lee also broke the record for the oldest person to top the Billboard chart at almost 80 years old.
“This is just so special—I can’t believe ‘Rockin” has hit No. 1 65 years after it was released!” In a press release, Lee stated. “We are grateful to the UMG/UMe team for their tireless efforts in commemorating the song’s anniversary this year. Most of all, though, I want to thank the supporters who never stop listening.
“The song was released when I was a young adolescent, and it is one of the greatest blessings I have ever gotten to know that it has resonated with many generations and still does. Merry Christmas and keep on rockin’!
Brenda Lee, congratulations! It’s about time your well-known holiday tune gained you recognition.
