Current:Home > ScamsChristmas queens: How Mariah Carey congratulated Brenda Lee for her historic No. 1 -MoneyStream
Christmas queens: How Mariah Carey congratulated Brenda Lee for her historic No. 1
View
Date:2025-04-18 09:25:46
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! (3172)
Related
- Israel lets Palestinians go back to northern Gaza for first time in over a year as cease
- Spooky or not? Some Choa Chu Kang residents say community garden resembles cemetery
- Can Bill Belichick turn North Carolina into a winner? At 72, he's chasing one last high
- Pregnant Kylie Kelce Shares Hilarious Question Her Daughter Asked Jason Kelce Amid Rising Fame
- In ‘Nickel Boys,’ striving for a new way to see
- Spooky or not? Some Choa Chu Kang residents say community garden resembles cemetery
- North Carolina justices rule for restaurants in COVID
- Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
- The FTC says 'gamified' online job scams by WhatsApp and text on the rise. What to know.
- Sam Taylor
Ranking
- Nevada attorney general revives 2020 fake electors case
- Chuck Scarborough signs off: Hoda Kotb, Al Roker tribute legendary New York anchor
- Can Bill Belichick turn North Carolina into a winner? At 72, he's chasing one last high
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- Trump issues order to ban transgender troops from serving openly in the military
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
- Travis Hunter, the 2
Recommendation
House passes bill to add 66 new federal judgeships, but prospects murky after Biden veto threat
IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
Will the 'Yellowstone' finale be the last episode? What we know about Season 6, spinoffs
US appeals court rejects Nasdaq’s diversity rules for company boards
Moving abroad can be expensive: These 5 countries will 'pay' you to move there
'As foretold in the prophecy': Elon Musk and internet react as Tesla stock hits $420 all
'No Good Deed': Who's the killer in the Netflix comedy? And will there be a Season 2?
Taylor Swift Eras Archive site launches on singer's 35th birthday. What is it?