Current:Home > NewsChristmas queens: How Mariah Carey congratulated Brenda Lee for her historic No. 1 -Elevate Capital Network
Christmas queens: How Mariah Carey congratulated Brenda Lee for her historic No. 1
View
Date:2025-04-11 18:41:06
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! (2)
Related
- Megan Fox's ex Brian Austin Green tells Machine Gun Kelly to 'grow up'
- Floridians balk at DeSantis administration plan to build golf courses at state parks
- Michigan girl, 14, and 17-year-old boyfriend charged as adults in plot to kill her mother
- The Latest: The real test for Harris’ campaign begins in the presidential race against Trump
- 'As foretold in the prophecy': Elon Musk and internet react as Tesla stock hits $420 all
- A Japanese woman who loves bananas is now the world’s oldest person
- Got bad breath? Here's how to get rid of it.
- Judge Mathis' Wife Linda Files for Divorce After 39 Years of Marriage
- US appeals court rejects Nasdaq’s diversity rules for company boards
- How Teen Mom's Cory Wharton and Cheyenne Floyd Reacted When Daughter Ryder, 7, Was Called the N-Word
Ranking
- Federal appeals court upholds $14.25 million fine against Exxon for pollution in Texas
- Atlantic City casino earnings declined by 1.3% in 2nd quarter of 2024
- Judge Mathis' Wife Linda Files for Divorce After 39 Years of Marriage
- 3-month-old baby is fatally mauled by dogs in attic while parents smoked pot, police say
- Head of the Federal Aviation Administration to resign, allowing Trump to pick his successor
- 'Megalopolis' trailer sparks controversy with fabricated quotes from film critics
- U of Wisconsin regents agree to ask Gov. Tony Evers for $855 million budget increase
- Only Murders in the Building's Steve Martin Shares How Selena Gomez Has Grown Over the Past 4 Years
Recommendation
Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
Andrew Tate placed under house arrest as new human trafficking allegations emerge involving minors
Man caught on video stealing lemonade-stand money from Virginia 10-year-old siblings
'Ben Affleck, hang in there!' Mindy Kaling jokes as Democratic National Convention host
JoJo Siwa reflects on Candace Cameron Bure feud: 'If I saw her, I would not say hi'
Tech Tycoon Mike Lynch Confirmed Dead After Body Recovered From Sunken Yacht
'It's going to be different': Raheem Morris carries lessons into fresh chance with Falcons
Horoscopes Today, August 22, 2024