About the song
“Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” is a quintessential holiday classic that has captured the hearts of listeners for decades. Written by Johnny Marks, who is also known for penning other festive hits like “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “A Holly Jolly Christmas,” the song was first recorded by Brenda Lee in 1958. Despite its initial modest performance, the track gained significant popularity over time, becoming a perennial favorite during the Christmas season.
Lee, who recorded the song when she was just 13 years old, brought a vibrant rockabilly flair to the holiday music landscape. The recording features a lively arrangement with contributions from notable musicians such as Hank Garland and Harold Bradley on guitar, Floyd Cramer on piano, and Boots Randolph on saxophone. The combination of Lee’s youthful voice and the upbeat instrumentation created a sound that resonated with audiences, making it a holiday staple.
The song’s journey to fame was not instantaneous. Although it was released in 1958 and again in 1959, it did not achieve widespread recognition until Lee’s rise to stardom in 1960. The track’s charm and festive spirit led it to peak at No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 that Christmas season. It continued to be a holiday favorite, climbing as high as No. 3 on Billboard’s Christmas Singles chart in 1965.
A resurgence in the song’s popularity came with its prominent feature in the 1990 film *Home Alone*, which introduced it to a new generation. This exposure helped cement its place in modern holiday music traditions. Lee’s original recording saw remarkable success, eventually selling over 15 million copies worldwide and becoming the fourth most downloaded Christmas single.
In recent years, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” has achieved several milestones. By 2023, the song not only reached the No. 1 spot on the US Billboard Hot 100 but also set records for the longest gap between number-one singles and the oldest artist to top the chart, with Brenda Lee achieving this feat at the age of 78. The track’s enduring appeal was further celebrated with a music video released by Lee in November 2023, showcasing her iconic performance alongside fellow artists.
Overall, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” stands as a testament to the timelessness of holiday music. Its vibrant energy and festive cheer continue to make it a beloved classic, celebrated across generations and around the world.
Video
Lyrics
Rockin’ around the Christmas tree
At the Christmas party hop
Mistletoe hung where you can see
Every couple tries to stop
Rockin’ around the Christmas tree
Let the Christmas spirit ring
Later we’ll have some pumpkin pie
And we’ll do some caroling
You will get a sentimental feeling when you hear
Voices singing, let’s be jolly
Deck the halls with boughs of holly
Rockin’ around the Christmas tree
Have a happy holiday
Everyone dancin’ merrily
In the new old-fashioned way
You will get a sentimental feeling when you hear
Voices singing, let’s be jolly
Deck the halls with boughs of holly
Rockin’ around the Christmas tree
Have a happy holiday
Everyone dancin’ merrily
In the new old-fashioned way