- "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" finally hit number 1 on Billboard's Hot 100 singles charts.
- The song hasn't hit number one in its 65-year existence.
For the past four years, the certified diamond single "All I Want for Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey was the reigning champion of our Christmas playlists. However, a formidable challenger has entered the ring and knocked Carey out of the coveted spot.
"Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree," the 65-year-old Brenda Lee holiday staple, finally hit number 1 on Billboard's Hot 100 singles charts, Billboard reported on Monday. It was the first time the song ever took the top spot — the song previously peaked at number 2.
"I like that God has given me that favor that I can stand aside and look and know that it wasn't just me; that it's a conglomerate of a lot of people that made the song what it is," Lee told the magazine Monday after hearing the news.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer dropped an official music video for the decades-old song last month, featuring the 78-year-old swinging and two-stepping in a red gown to the Christmas classic. The video commemorated the song's 65-year milestone and featured country music singers Tanya Tucker and Trisha Yearwood.
Lee recorded "Rocking Around the Christmas Tree" as a teenager. The song was written by Johnny Marks, the songwriter behind other holiday jams like "A Holly Jolly Christmas." Lee told The Tennessean in 2015 that she had no idea why Marks was so adamant about her singing the song.
"I was only 12, and I had not had a lot of success in records, but for some reason he heard me and wanted me to do it," Lee told the publication. "And I did."
Per the Tennessean, the song did not do well when it was first released in 1958, but as Lee rose to stardom, it caught on with fans during its 1960 rerelease. The song has been an American holiday staple ever since.
Excluding Lee's rock hit, 18 songs have taken the No. 1 spot on Billboard's Hot 100 chart this year. The first song to dominate the charts this year? Carey's Christmas hit, of course.
Regardless, both holiday hitmakers deserve their flowers.