Current:Home > MarketsChristmas queens: How Mariah Carey congratulated Brenda Lee for her historic No. 1 -Elevate Money Guide
Christmas queens: How Mariah Carey congratulated Brenda Lee for her historic No. 1
View
Date:2025-04-18 03:48:44
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! (7184)
Related
- Brianna LaPaglia Reveals The Meaning Behind Her "Chickenfry" Nickname
- Paris is crawling with bedbugs. They're even riding the trains and a ferry.
- Scientists determine the cause behind high rates of amphibian declines
- A huge fire rages in a plastics factory in eastern Croatia and residents are asked to stay indoors
- B.A. Parker is learning the banjo
- Peso Pluma talks shaking up music, already having a legacy at 24: 'This is global'
- US appeals court to hear arguments over 2010 hush-money settlement of Ronaldo rape case in Vegas
- A Florida gator lost her complete upper jaw and likely would've died. Now, she's thriving with the name Jawlene
- The FTC says 'gamified' online job scams by WhatsApp and text on the rise. What to know.
- Looking for innovative climate solutions? Check out these 8 podcasts
Ranking
- Trump suggestion that Egypt, Jordan absorb Palestinians from Gaza draws rejections, confusion
- 'Made for this moment': Rookie star Royce Lewis snaps Twins' historic losing streak
- Peso Pluma talks shaking up music, already having a legacy at 24: 'This is global'
- Indian police arrest editor, administrator of independent news site after conducting raids
- The Best Stocking Stuffers Under $25
- US warns of Chinese global disinformation campaign that could undermine peace and stability
- Jill Biden urges women to get mammograms or other cancer exams during Breast Cancer Awareness Month
- UK police open a corporate manslaughter investigation into a hospital where a nurse killed 7 babies
Recommendation
Former Danish minister for Greenland discusses Trump's push to acquire island
Baltimore police: 'Multiple victims' from active shooter situation near Morgan State
Simone Biles makes history at world gymnastics championship after completing challenging vault
Sofia Coppola's 'Priscilla' movie dissects Elvis Presley wedding, courtship: Watch trailer
Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
MATCHDAY: Defending champion Man City at Leipzig. Newcastle hosts PSG in Champions League
This expert on water scarcity would never call herself a 'genius.' But MacArthur would
Azerbaijan arrests several former top separatist leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh