Current:Home > ContactChristmas queens: How Mariah Carey congratulated Brenda Lee for her historic No. 1 -ProfitClass
Christmas queens: How Mariah Carey congratulated Brenda Lee for her historic No. 1
View
Date:2025-04-17 17:50:34
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! (67)
Related
- Immigration issues sorted, Guatemala runner Luis Grijalva can now focus solely on sports
- Travis Kelce, Kim Kardashian, Justin Bieber and More Stars Who've Met the President Over the Years
- Kristin Cavallari Says Britney Spears Reached Out After She Said She Was a Clone
- US Rep. Lauren Boebert will find out whether switching races worked in Colorado
- What polling shows about Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Harris’ new running mate
- Alaska voters deciding a hard-fought race for the state’s only U.S. House seat, election issues
- Fantasy football Week 10: Trade value chart and rest of season rankings
- Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul date, time: How to buy Netflix boxing event at AT&T Stadium
- Angelina Jolie nearly fainted making Maria Callas movie: 'My body wasn’t strong enough'
- After Disasters, Whites Gain Wealth, While People of Color Lose, Research Shows
Ranking
- Head of the Federal Aviation Administration to resign, allowing Trump to pick his successor
- Beyoncé Channels Pamela Anderson in Surprise Music Video for Bodyguard
- North Carolina’s top lawyer and No. 2 executive are vying for governor
- Republicans hope to retain 3 open Indiana House seats and target another long held by Democrats
- Jay Kanter, veteran Hollywood producer and Marlon Brando agent, dies at 97: Reports
- Taylor Swift watches Chiefs play Monday Night Football after end of US Eras Tour
- How tough is Saints' open coaching job? A closer look at New Orleans' imposing landscape
- Another round of powerful, dry winds to raise wildfire risk across California
Recommendation
New Orleans mayor’s former bodyguard making first court appearance after July indictment
West Virginians’ governor choices stand on opposite sides of the abortion debate
Za'Darius Smith trade winners, losers: Lions land Aidan Hutchinson replacement
Massachusetts voters weigh ballot issues on union rights, wages and psychedelics
Why we love Bear Pond Books, a ski town bookstore with a French bulldog 'Staff Pup'
Kentucky voters to decide fate of school choice ballot measure
Sara Foster Confirms Breakup From Tommy Haas, Shares Personal Update Amid Separation
NFL power rankings Week 10: How has trade deadline altered league's elite?