(NEWSnet) – Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” topped the Billboard Hot 100 list this week, 65 years after her popular holiday song was released.

Billboard made the announcement Sunday, saying this is only the third holiday song to hit No. 1 in the chart’s history. The site also noted Lee also is making her first appearance on the top 100 list since 1960.

Four other holiday previously released pop music carols also have jumped into the top 10 list this week: Bobby Helms with “Jingle Bell Rock,” Wham! With “Last Christmas,” Burl Ives with “A Holly Jolly Christmas” and Andy Williams with “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.”

 

The spike in interest to Lee's song in recent days came from all three directions that are are today's Billboard Hot 100 formula: streaming, radio airplay and sales data.

Lee’s talent for singing was noticed when she was a young child, according to a PBS biography. Her musical career ranged from rockabilly to pop and country as she became one of Nashville’s big success stories. She was eventually named to both the Country and Rock & Roll Halls of Fame.

The song considered her holiday classic, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” was recorded and released in 1958, Billboard said. On its first charting in 1960, it peaked at No. 14.

During the 2019 through 2022 holiday seasons, it would sit for weeks at No. 2.

The 65th anniversary celebrations included the song’s first official music video. Lee is giving a performance to it on NBC’s “Christmas at the Opry,” scheduled to air Dec. 7. And the singer also recently joined TikTok at @brendaleeofficial, where she shares stories about her music and career.

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