Current:Home > InvestChristmas queens: How Mariah Carey congratulated Brenda Lee for her historic No. 1 -ProsperityStream Academy
Christmas queens: How Mariah Carey congratulated Brenda Lee for her historic No. 1
View
Date:2025-04-27 07:25:34
Mariah Carey may have a bit of competition for that queen of Christmas crown, and her name is Brenda Lee.
Lee's holiday staple "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" hit the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart this week, overtaking Carey's "All I Want for Christmas is You," which usually sits comfortably at the top all season long. While Lee may have overtaken Carey to hit the top, Lee says the pop diva sent her the sweetest note.
Lee, 78, posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the songstress sent flowers to her with congratulations for hitting the No. 1 slot.
Lee's last No. 1 hit was more than 60 years ago, with her hit "I'm Sorry" in 1960.
Here's a look at the resurgence of "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" and what Lee has achieved with it.
Brenda Lee breaks records with 'Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree'
Getting to the top spot on the Billboard once again breaks several records — many of which were held by Carey's almost three-decade-old "All I Want for Christmas Is You".
Lee beat out Louis Armstrong's record of the oldest person to top the chart. Armstrong held the record when "Hello, Dolly" hit No. 1 in 1964. He was 62 at the time.
"Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree" is only the third holiday No. 1 ever on the Hot 100.
Brenda Lee's 'Rockin' Around the Christma Tree' at Christmas at the Opry
Lee took her chart-topping hit to the Grand Ole Opry for Christmas at the Opry on Wednesday.
The singer spread some holiday cheer on NBC's "Christmas at the Opry," hosted by Wynonna Judd. The musical special is now available to stream on Peacock.
An encore of the special will run on Dec. 20 at 9 p.m. EST.
Watch Lee's performance below.
When was 'Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree' released?
Many people can probably recall the iconic scene from "Home Alone" where Kevin McAllister (Macaulay Culkin) threw a party as Lee's song played. (If you need a refresher, you can find it here.)
But Lee's song was considered an oldie even in the '90s.
Lee recorded "Rockin Around the Christmas Tree" along with multiple other Christmas songs penned by songwriter Johnny Marks in 1956.
Record's producer and iconic Nashville creator, Owen Bradley, didn't think the song had much staying power, Lee said in an interview last month. But 65 years later, the song is still a Christmas staple and now a No. 1 hit.
Contributing: Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean
It's time for Christmas music!50 of the best songs to get you in the holiday spirit
veryGood! (7292)
Related
- Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
- Greece becomes first Orthodox Christian country to legalize same-sex civil marriage
- Montana Rep. Rosendale drops US Senate bid after 6 days, citing Trump endorsement of opponent
- Angela Chao, shipping business CEO and Mitch McConnell’s sister-in-law, dies in Texas
- Residents worried after ceiling cracks appear following reroofing works at Jalan Tenaga HDB blocks
- Alaska woman gets 99 years for orchestrating catfished murder-for-hire plot in friend’s death
- Pregnant woman found dead in Indiana in 1992 identified through forensic genealogy
- Woman charged in scheme to steal over 1,000 luxury clothing items worth $800,000
- Immigration issues sorted, Guatemala runner Luis Grijalva can now focus solely on sports
- Driver who injured 9 in a California sidewalk crash guilty of hit-and-run but not DUI
Ranking
- Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
- Oklahoma radio station now playing Beyoncé's new country song after outcry
- Here’s where all the cases against Trump stand as he campaigns for a return to the White House
- Angela Chao, shipping business CEO and Mitch McConnell’s sister-in-law, dies in Texas
- Your Wedding Guests Will Thank You if You Get Married at These All-Inclusive Resorts
- Inter Miami preseason match Thursday: Will Lionel Messi play against hometown club?
- Biden administration looks to expand student loan forgiveness to those facing ‘hardship’
- Mother, daughter killed by car that ran red light after attending Drake concert: Reports
Recommendation
What polling shows about Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Harris’ new running mate
Eyes on the road: Automated speed cameras get a fresh look as traffic deaths mount
Kansas City mass shooting is the 50th so far this year, gun violence awareness group says
The Excerpt podcast: At least 21 shot after Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade
Skins Game to make return to Thanksgiving week with a modern look
Outer Banks Star Austin North Speaks Out After Arrest Over Alleged Hospital Attack
Reduce, reuse, redirect outrage: How plastic makers used recycling as a fig leaf
13-year-old charged with murder in shooting of man whose leg was blocking bus aisle