Brenda Lee’s ‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree’ tops Hot 100, making her oldest to reach No. 1
December 04, 2023 04:47 PM
Brenda Lee has made history by becoming the oldest singer to have a song reach the top of the Billboard Hot 100 with the iconic “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.”
The tune, originally released in 1958, reached the top of the chart on Monday, marking the first time the classic Christmas song reached No. 1 on the list. It also marks the first song by Lee, 78, to top the chart since and is her third song in total to top the chart.
The news is an early birthday present for Lee, who will turn 79 on Dec. 11.
Lee taking the top spot may be partly due to the new music video of “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” released last month to celebrate the song’s 65th anniversary, which she recorded with country music legends Tanya Tucker and Trisha Yearwood. Lee also recently joined the popular social media platform TikTok, potentially sparking newfound interest in the song.
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In taking the top spot, Lee’s song dethroned fellow holiday classic “All I Want for Christmas is You” by Mariah Carey. “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tee” is also only the third Christmas song ever to top the Hot 100, the other two being Carey’s iconic hit, released in 1994, and “The Chipmunk Song,” performed by The Chipmunks with David Seville and released in 1958.
While Lee’s hit Christmas classic took the top spot on the Hot 100, four other Christmas songs managed to make the list, including “Jingle Bell Rock” by Bobby Helms, “Last Christmas” by Wham!, “A Holly Jolly Christmas” by Burl Ives, and “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” by Andy Williams.