How Brenda Lee transformed ‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree’ into an unsuspecting hit
In the joyful symphony of festive tunes that adorn the holiday season, Brenda Lee‘s iconic contribution stands out as a timeless classic, etched into the heart of holiday celebrations. ‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree’ has become an indispensable part of yuletide traditions, infusing warmth and cheer into homes around the globe.
Penned by Johnny Marks and recorded by Lee at the young age of 13 in 1958, ‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree’ has endured many eras and generations, encapsulating the joyous spirit of the season with its endearing melody and lively rhythm. However, although a hit in today’s landscape, the song didn’t do that well upon release.
The track initially struggled to gain widespread popularity when it was first released. For starters, it entered the music scene during a time when Christmas music was typically dominated by more traditional tunes. It was only after a few years, coupled with Lee’s increasing prominence, that the song garnered more popularity and subsequently began to receive more airplay.
In fact, ‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree’ only entered the Billboard Hot 100 in 1960, two years after its initial release, but it still struggled to lift any higher than the top ten. In 1965, it finally had its moment, peaking at number three on the Hot 100, which understandably excited Lee no end. “It was magic,” she said, “And I think we all knew it. It took a few years to take off, but once it did, it really did.”
Still, the song’s trajectory was far from over. In 1990, the release of Home Alone saw another resurgence, marking the first time the track became a hit with a younger audience. As Lee recalled: “I knew it was special, but you never know what’s going to be a hit — if you did, we’d all have hits every day. It has been a wonderful gift.”
This year, the song demonstrated its enduring vitality by finally attaining the coveted number one spot. Not only did this signify the track’s lasting resonance, but it also set a record for taking the longest time for a single to reach the number one position on the charts. The tune regained its popularity again in a newly released music video featuring the 78-year-old Lee lip-syncing to her own song alongside longtime companions.
In an interview with Billboard, Lee explained: “My buds are in there. We had a ball making it. We filmed it at the producer’s house, and nothing was choreographed, really. We just had fun. They were just precious to do that for me, and I think folks will love it.”
