With each passing holiday season there are some songs that are considered classics with the Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” and Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You”.

Another long time classic is fifties teen star Brenda Lee with “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”.  And for the first time, “Rockin’” has topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart.  It has been 65 years since Lee released the song was released.  Not only is it the first time Lee’s Christmas song has topped the Hot 100, it is only the third holiday song to do so.

“Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” is Lee’s third number one and with that achievement she becomes the artist with the longest time between hit songs 1960-2023.

Lee was just 13 years old when she first released “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”; now 79 it makes her the oldest person to top the Hot 100, beating out Cher and Mariah Carey.

Brenda Lee spoke on the song topping the chart saying, “this is amazing! I cannot believe that ‘Rockin” has hit number one 65 years after it was released, this is just so special! Thank you to the team at UMG/UMe who worked so hard to celebrate the song’s anniversary this year. But most importantly, thank you to the fans who keep listening. The song came out when I was a young teenager and now to know that it has resonated with multiple generations and continues to resonate – it is one of the best gifts I have ever received. Keep on Rockin’ and Merry Christmas!”

Celebrating the 65th anniversary release of “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” Lee has released an official video with Tanya Tucker and Trisha Yearwood.  She has also released a new EP of holiday music that includes “Rockin’”.