Credit: Far Out / Universal Music Group

‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree’ by Brenda Lee has hit number one for the first time

Tue 5 December 2023 9:23, UK

Although ‘Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree’ by Brenda Lee is one of the most popular festive songs, the track has only now hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for the first time.

The song was initially released in 1958 when Lee was only 13 years old. Penned by Johnny Marks, the festive favourite has sold over 25million copies, yet it has taken 65 years to hit the top spot.

In doing so, Lee has become the oldest person to score a number-one hit on the Billboard chart. Her last number-one single came in 1960 when she released ‘I Want to be Wanted’. Before that, she also scored a chart-topping hit with ‘I’m Sorry’, released a few months prior.

A new music video starring Lee, now 78, lip-syncing to her song alongside some old friends, was released in November, helping it regain popularity. Talking to 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.”

In the same interview, Lee also recalled working with Marks, with whom she remained friends until he died in 1985. “He was such a gentle soul,” she explained.

“He was Jewish and didn’t even believe in Christmas, and all that would come out of him was Christmas music. He told me he was laying on the beach in New York and I guess he took a nap or something and when he woke up, he saw the pine trees were kind of swaying,” Lee revealed.

She added, “I said, ‘You got pine trees on the beach in New York?’ He said, ‘Yeah and I thought the pine trees are rocking and he went home and came up with ‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree’.”

Watch the new music video below.