Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” Finally Tops The Billboard Hot 100 — 65 Years After Its Release
The Christmas classic achieves the rare feat of achieving such a milestone more than 60 years past its original release.
Brenda Lee: Courtesy of Alexa King Stone
Brenda Lee: Courtesy of Alexa King Stone
Brenda Lee finds her way to the summit of the Billboard Hot 100 Songs chart with the yuletide favorite, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.”
This classic carol not only secures its first-ever No. 1 position on the chart but also achieves this milestone 65 years after its initial release. Brenda Lee, the iconic artist behind the holiday anthem, rejoices in her third Hot 100 chart-topper. According to Billboard USA, the track has amassed 34.9 million streams, marking a 69% increase and earning it the title of top Streaming Gainer on the Hot 100. With 20.7 million radio airplay audience impressions (a 35% surge) and 3,000 downloads (a 39% spike) during the Nov. 24-30 tracking week, Brenda Lee’s holiday classic solidifies its dominance.
“Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” made its debut on the Hot 100 in 1960 and its nine-week stint at No. 2 between December 2019 and the last holiday season. As a nod to its 65th anniversary, the song also received its first official video, featuring appearances by country stars Tanya Tucker and Trisha Yearwood. Throughout Billboard’s chart history, Brenda Lee now claims the distinction of being the artist with the longest span of No. 1 hits, boasting an impressive 63 years, four months, and three weeks from her first chart-topper, “I’m Sorry” in 1960, to her current triumph.
Aside from Brenda Lee’s achievement, five other holiday tunes make a triumphant return to the Hot 100’s top 10: Bobby Helms’ “Jingle Bell Rock,” Wham!’s “Last Christmas,” Burl Ives’ “A Holly Jolly Christmas,” Andy Williams’ “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year“, and of course –– Mariah Carey’s iconic “All I Want For Christmas Is You.”
At 78 years old, Brenda Lee is now the senior-most artist to top the Hot 100, surpassing Louis Armstrong and Cher. The joyous melody of “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” not only heralds the holiday season but also cements Brenda Lee’s place as a timeless icon in the music industry.
Listen to Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” below:
