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| Keystone-France/Gamma-Rapho via Getty, Brenda Lee/YouTube Brenda Lee in 1959 and in 2023 |
Brenda Lee, at 78 years old, has shaken up the Christmas music scene by breaking records that were once owned by the Queen of Christmas herself, Mariah Carey. Lee's timeless hit, "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree," released 65 years ago, has now claimed the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for the first time.
In a festive twist, Lee has surpassed Mariah Carey's records, including the longest wait for a song to reach No. 1. Mariah's "All I Want for Christmas Is You" held the previous record, but Lee's classic achievement after six decades took the crown. Additionally, Lee now boasts the record for the longest span between No. 1 hits, spanning from her 1960 hit "I'm Sorry" to the recent success of "Rockin'."
Notably, Brenda Lee is also the oldest woman to secure a No. 1 spot on the chart, a title previously held by Carey. The Billboard Hot 100's festive spirit is evident, with six Christmas-themed songs in the top 10, including Mariah's "All I Want for Christmas Is You" at No. 2.
The music industry veteran, who turned 78 on December 11, celebrated her success with a music video featuring cameos from Tanya Tucker and Trisha Yearwood. Her recent EP, "A Rockin’ Christmas With Brenda Lee," features holiday classics and contributed to the resurgence of her iconic Christmas hit.
Brenda Lee expressed her gratitude, stating, "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."
Fans can catch Brenda Lee performing "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree" on the upcoming NBC special Christmas at the Opry, airing on Dec. 7 at 8 p.m. ET/PT and will stream the next day on Peacock. As Christmas approaches, Lee's record-breaking success adds a new chapter to the festive playlist.
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