Current:Home > MyChristmas queens: How Mariah Carey congratulated Brenda Lee for her historic No. 1 -WealthX
Christmas queens: How Mariah Carey congratulated Brenda Lee for her historic No. 1
View
Date:2025-04-13 04:15:13
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! (51986)
Related
- Intellectuals vs. The Internet
- World No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler has been a normal dad and tourist at Paris Olympics
- World No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler has been a normal dad and tourist at Paris Olympics
- Simone Biles will compete in all four events in Olympics team final, despite calf tweak
- What to know about Tuesday’s US House primaries to replace Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz
- Fresh quakes damage West Texas area with long history of tremors caused by oil and gas industry
- Vigils honor Sonya Massey as calls for justice grow | The Excerpt
- Former MLB Pitcher Reyes Moronta Dead at 31 in Traffic Accident
- Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
- 3-year-old dies after falling from 8th-floor window in Kansas City suburb
Ranking
- 'We're reborn!' Gazans express joy at returning home to north
- ‘White Dudes for Harris’ is the latest in a series of Zoom gatherings backing the vice president
- Houston Texans lineman Denico Autry suspended six games for violating NFL's PED policy
- Midwest sees surge in calls to poison control centers amid bumper crop of wild mushrooms
- Stamford Road collision sends motorcyclist flying; driver arrested
- 'The Penguin' debuts new trailer, Colin Farrell will return for 'Batman 2'
- Federal Reserve is edging closer to cutting rates. The question will soon be, how fast?
- Trump agrees to be interviewed as part of an investigation into his assassination attempt, FBI says
Recommendation
Mets have visions of grandeur, and a dynasty, with Juan Soto as major catalyst
Aurora borealis incoming? Solar storms fuel hopes for northern lights this week
Texas senators grill utility executives about massive power failure after Hurricane Beryl
Former tennis great Michael Chang the focus of new ESPN documentary
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
All the Athletes Who Made History During the 2024 Paris Olympics
USA skateboarders Nyjah Huston, Jagger Eaton medal at Paris Olympics
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Mama