More than half a century after it was first released, Brenda Lee’s seasonal smash “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” has finally become a No. 1 hit. Billboard has announced that the tune has soared to the top spot on the Hot 100, the all-encompassing ranking of the most-consumed songs in the U.S.
Lee collects her third No. 1 hit on the Hot 100 with “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree.” The track follows in the footsteps of her previous smashes “I’m Sorry” and “I Want to Be Wanted.” Both of those cuts dominated the chart in 1960, so it’s been many years since she last ruled.
According to Billboard, “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” is up more than 30% in all three consumption metrics that feed into the Hot 100. The tune was streamed nearly 35 million times in the prior tracking frame. It also earned 20.7 million impressions across all radio formats. The song sold another 3,000 copies as well.
For several years now, “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” has been returning to the Hot 100’s top 10 as the holiday comes around again. Lee is one of several musicians who watch as their biggest seasonal tunes find their way back to prominence. It has previously stalled at No. 2 on the chart, as it was previously never able to best Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” That song has hit No. 1 on the Hot 100 for the past four years, but it has yet to rule this season.
This year, Lee has been working overtime to finally send “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” to No. 1 on the Hot 100. A music video for the cut was finally released, and the singer has been active on social media promoting the beloved composition. Her efforts, which aren’t done just yet, have paid off, as she’s back at No. 1 on the chart after decades away.