Brenda Lee’s beloved Christmas song is now cemented in Tennessee state history
On Monday, December 2nd, Brenda Lee received a special honor from the state of Tennessee. Her beloved holiday tune “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” was named the Official Holiday Song of Tennessee.
During a ceremony at the Tennessee State Capitol, Brenda was presented with a proclamation signed by Governor Bill Lee and Representative Jason Powell.
Powell first filed the bill last December. It passed the state legislature earlier this year and was signed into law by the Governor in April. Powell shared:
“Brenda Lee is a music icon and a true Tennessee treasure. ‘Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree’ has spread holiday joy throughout the world for decades, and we are proud her number one song was made in Nashville. I am thrilled that my legislation made the beloved ‘Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree’ by Brenda Lee the first official holiday song of Tennessee.”
The 79-year-old singer reflected emotionally from the podium:
“I never thought that a Christmas song would be my legacy, but it’s turned out that way, and I take it. I thank everybody for staying with me all these years and supporting my career.”
The history of “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree”
“Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” was written by Johnny Marks and recorded by Brenda Lee in Nashville in 1958, when she was just 13 years old.
Marks is the writer behind many Christmas favorites, including “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “A Holly Jolly Christmas,” and “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.”
Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” has been certified 5x platinum by the RIAA, signifying more than 5 million copies have been sold. Additionally, it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2019.
The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for the first time in 2023, 65 years after its original release. As a result, Brenda became the oldest artist ever to top the Hot 100 at age 78.
Listen to “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” by Brenda Lee in the video below!