New old-fashioned hit “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree" reaches No. 1
The perennial Yuletide hit finally topped Billboard's Hot 100
Originally released in 1958, when its singer was but 14, “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” has appeared in many interesting places. From Rankin/Bass holiday specials to the shower of Home Alone’s cheapskate Uncle Frank, Brenda Lee’s immortal holiday hit has endured long enough to reach retirement age. Sadly, like many of us, the song will never retire, but at least it’s finally getting a little recognition. Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” has reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100.
It’s a long time coming. Following in the footsteps of “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” which finally hit the top spot last year, “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” languished at No. 2 for years, spending a total of nine weeks in second place between 2019 and 2022. While it was charting better than Justin Beiber’s cover of the song, it still had higher to climb. Now the song is the third Christmas song ever to reach No. 1, following the obvious holiday dominator “All I Want For Christmas Is You” and “The Chipmunk Song.”