Brenda Lee’s Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree has hit No. 1 for the first time in its 65-year history.
The single has become a mainstay in the Top 10 of the US Billboard Hot 100 in recent years but finally topped the chart this week (December 4), pipping Mariah Carey to the post and breaking her record for a song’s longest climb to the top.
With nearly 35 million streams and 21 million radio impressions, according to data provided by Luminate, it marks Lee’s third No. 1 – after I’m Sorry and I Want To Be Wanted – and her first since 1960.
In another feat, it’s also only the third seasonal song to peak at No. 1, following Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas Is You and The Chipmunk Song by the Chipmunks with David Seville.
Lee – who recorded the song when she was only 13 years old and becomes the oldest artist to hit No. 1 at 78 – recently released its first official music video as part of a push for the top spot.
Meanwhile, holiday hits are dominating the US Top 10 already, with Carey’s All I Want For Christmas Is You at No. 2 and Bobby Helms’ Jingle Bell Rock at No. 4.
Wham! are at No. 5, with Last Christmas, followed by A Holly Jolly Christmas by Burl Ives at No. 6, and Andy Williams’ It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year at No. 10.
