One of the most recognizable Christmas songs of all time was recorded by a teenager.
When Brenda Lee stepped into a Nashville recording studio in 1958 to record “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” she was just 13 years old. Despite her age, Lee delivered a confident, playful vocal that would go on to become a permanent fixture of the holiday season.
More than six decades later, the song continues to dominate Christmas playlists, radio rotations and streaming charts — often introducing new listeners to the surprising story behind its recording.
Written by a Christmas hitmaker
“Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” was written by Johnny Marks, one of the most influential Christmas songwriters of the 20th century. Marks also wrote “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “A Holly Jolly Christmas” and “Silver and Gold.”
The song was designed to blend traditional Christmas imagery with the emerging rock-and-roll sound of the late 1950s, reflecting a shift in holiday music toward younger audiences and contemporary styles.
Recorded in Nashville with top session musicians
The track was produced by Owen Bradley, a leading figure in shaping the Nashville Sound. Bradley assembled a group of experienced session musicians, including guitarist Hank Garland, whose distinctive playing helped give the song its now-iconic groove.
Lee recorded the song for Decca Records, the label that handled many of her early hits. While Lee was already an established performer, few could have predicted the long-term impact of this particular recording.
A modest hit that grew over time
Upon its initial release in 1958, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” performed modestly, eventually reaching No. 20 on the Billboard pop chart in 1960. It was not considered Lee’s biggest hit at the time.
But unlike most pop singles, Christmas songs get a fresh opportunity every year.
As radio airplay expanded and holiday programming increased, the song steadily gained traction. Appearances in television specials, films and later streaming playlists helped solidify its place as a seasonal standard.
Still climbing the charts every December
Today, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” is one of the most consistently successful holiday songs of the modern era. Each December, it reenters major charts and racks up millions of new streams, frequently competing with contemporary holiday releases.
The song’s staying power has made it one of Brenda Lee’s most enduring recordings.
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