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A classic has climbed to the top of the holiday heap. Brenda Lee is back at number one on the Hot 100 for the first time since 1960. The 78-year-old singer’s “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” drew 34.9-million streams, had 20.7 million radio plays and sold 3,000 downloads the last week of November.
This is the first time the song has topped the charts and it's only the third holiday song to do so. Lee's classic has found an all new audience this year, making it a pleasant surprise for the singer.
“Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” was originally recorded and released in 1958 and was written by Johnny Marks. The song ended up spending nine weeks at number 2 on the Hot 100 between December 2019 and last holiday season. And for its 65th anniversary, the song has officially received its first official video, featuring cameos from country stars Tanya Tucker and Trisha Yearwood. Plus, Lee is set to perform it on NBC’s “Christmas at the Opry” which airs December 7th.
While it can be lonely at the top, four other carols have returned to the Hot 100’s top 10. Bobby Helms’ “Jingle Bell Rock” comes in at number 4, Wham!’s “Last Christmas” at number 5, Burl Ives’ “A Holly Jolly Christmas” at number 6 and Andy Williams’ “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” pulls up the rear at number 10.
Source: Billboard