BRENDA LEE’S ‘ROCKIN’ AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE’ HITS #1
65 years since it was first released… Brenda Lee is #1 on Billboard with “Rockin Around The Christmas Tree.” By hitting that #1 spot, The Rock and Roll AND Country Hall of Fame artist has broken several records, most of which were held by Mariah Carey and “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” whom she beat out for the top spot this week.
Brenda Lee now holds the record for the longest gap between an artist’s first and most recent week at #1 on the Hot 100 at 63 years.
We talked with Brenda Lee about how the song crosses all genres of music and that… not just radio, but a movie made that happen:
“Somebody called me and said, ‘Hey Brenda, do you know there’s a movie out called ‘Home Alone?’ And did you know ‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree’ is in it forever?’ And I said, ‘Are you kidding me?’ They said, ‘No, it’s true!’ And I think that’s the catalyst that moved ‘Rockin’’ up and people all over the world hear it now.”
SIDE NOTES
- Her first #1 was “I’m Sorry” in 1960.
- Brenda Lee is 78 years old, she’ll be 79 next week on December 11.
- “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree is the third holiday song ever to top the Hot 100.
- The Johnny Marks-written hit was released by Brenda Lee when she was just 13 years old.
- Throughout her career, Brenda Lee has sold more than 100 million albums globally.
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