Brenda Lee Rocks in Christmas Charts as her song ‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree’ Hits No. 1
The iconic music legend Brenda Lee shares reflections on recording her timeless Christmas classic 65 years ago and delves into early friendships with the Beatles and Elvis Presley.
Brenda Lee has ushered in the holiday season in a delightfully classic manner: with her song reaching the top spot! Her enduring Nashville-infused Christmas anthem, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” recorded when she was just 13, secured the No. 1 position on the Billboard Hot 100 earlier this month. In a strange scenario, Mariah Carey; ‘s perennial holiday hit,” All I Want for Christmas Is You” had to go down at the second spot after Brenda Lee’s hit Christmas song, hit the top position.
Lee’s accomplishment etches itself in history as only the third holiday song to claim the No. 1 spot on the Hot 100. It also stands as her third career No. 1, with the previous one being “I Want to Be Wanted” in October 1960. This remarkable feat spans 63 years, securing her a place in the record books for the longest gap between No. 1 songs—an accolade previously held by Cher for 25 years following the rise of “Believe” in 1999. At 78, Lee now holds the distinction of being the most mature musician to achieve No. 1, breaking a 59-year record held by Louis Armstrong, who was 62 when “Hello Dolly” became a hit in 1964.
Beyond her chart-topping success, Brenda Lee, a living musical history book, sat down with PEOPLE to discuss her amicable rivalry with Carey, recollections of the amusing “Christmas in July” recording session that birthed the record-breaking classic, and her early friendships with the Beatles and Elvis Presley.
Expressing her emotions in a video shared by Billboard, Lee remarked, “It was so surreal! I still don’t believe it. Even though I know the song is great and written by a great man, after all these years it’s just surreal.”
The journey of “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” to No. 1 set several records, including the longest break between No. 1s on the Hot 100, previously held by Cher. Lee’s label strategically promoted the song for its 65th anniversary, accompanied by a new music video featuring Lee lip-syncing to her 13-year-old self and appearances by friends like Tanya Tucker and Trisha Yearwood. The video has garnered an impressive 13 million views on YouTube.
After celebrating a two-week stint at No. 1, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” graciously passed the torch back to Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You.” Carey, acknowledging Lee’s historic achievement, sent her a heartfelt gesture—a bouquet of flowers and a congratulatory note expressing, “Congratulations on your historic No. 1. Have a Merry Christmas. Love, Mariah.” Brenda Lee, appreciative of the gesture, emphasized that she has never viewed herself as being in competition with Carey or any other artist.
