Covers – Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree

Marks wrote several other holiday classics, including “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “A Holly Jolly Christmas.” “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” was recorded by Brenda Lee in 1958 when she was just 13 years old, making her one of the youngest successful female artists of her time.

Brenda Lee, born Brenda Mae Tarpley on December 11, 1944, in Atlanta, Georgia, began her musical journey at a young age. Often referred to as “Little Miss Dynamite” due to her powerful voice and petite stature, Lee rose to prominence in the late 1950s and became a chart-topping sensation.

Her career spanned various genres, including country, pop, and rockabilly, and she remains one of the most successful female artists in the history of popular music. Upon its release, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” was well-received and quickly became a holiday favorite. Its timeless appeal is evident in its continued presence on radio stations, in movies, and at holiday gatherings.

The song’s catchy tune and Brenda Lee’s spirited performance have contributed to its status as a festive classic, transcending generations. On Monday, December 4, 2023, the singer’s 1958 classic “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” hit No. 1 on the  Billboard Hot 100 chart for the first time, 65 years following its debut.

In claiming the top spot, Lee broke many records — including those held by Mariah Carey and her mega-hit “All I Want for Christmas Is You” — as her hit became the third holiday No. 1 ever to be featured on the Hot 100, per a press release. This marks Lee’s third No. 1 hit in her career. She earned her first No. 1 with her 1960 single “I’m Sorry.”

At 78, she’s now the oldest woman to top the Hot 100, surpassing previous record-holders Cher for “Believe” when she was 52 and Carey for “All I Want for Christmas Is You” at 53.

There have been over 400 covers of this Johnny Marks classic. Ace Cannon, His Alto Sax and Chorus covered it in 1964 and Jimmie Davis recorded it in 1967. The Partridge Family released their version on October 10, 1971, and in November Lynn Anderson sang her rendition. Others were The Jets (Dec 1983), Bob Wills’ Original Texas Playboys (Oct 1985),

Mickey Gilley and Libby Hurley (1986), Comic Relief Presents Mel and Kim (1987), The Forester Sisters (1987), Eddie Rabbitt, (1990), Amy Grant (Oct 6, 1992), Bill Haley and The Comets (Oct, 6 1992), Ronnie Spector & Darlene Love (Oct 20, 1992), Dion (1993), Alabama (September 17, 1996), The Bellamy Brothers (Oct 1996), Hanson (1997), Davy Jones (1997),

Cyndi Lauper (1998), Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen (1999), Donna Fargo (2001), Rockapella (Nov 2002), Bobby Rydell (2003), LeAnn Rimes (Oct 12, 2004), Aly & AJ (Sept 25, 2007), Carnie Wilson (Oct 2, 2007), The Smithereens (Oct 9, 2007), Toby Keith (Oct 16, 2007), Miley Cyrus as Hannah Montana (2007), 1910 Fruitgum Company (2007), Anne Murray (Oct 7, 2008),

Randy Bachman (2008), The Archies (2008), Wilson Phillips (Oct 12, 2010), Chicago (Oct 4, 2011), She & Him (Oct 25, 2011), Rita Coolidge (Oct 30, 2012), John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John featuring Kenny G (Nov 13, 2012), Victoria Justice (Dec 19, 2012), Glee Cast (Dec 10, 2013), T. Graham Brown (Oct 2, 2015), The Brian Setzer Orchestra (Oct 16, 2015),

Matthew and Gunnar Nelson (Nov 20, 2015), Jimmy Buffett (Oct 28, 2016), Asleep at the Wheel (Oct 28, 2016, Pentatonix (Oct 26, 2018), Lea Michele (Oct 25, 2019), Kacey Musgraves feat. Camila Cabello (Nov 29, 2019), Justin Bieber (Nov 12, 2020), Broken Peach (Dec 14, 2020), Kelly Clarkson (Oct 15, 2021), Meghan Trainor (Oct 15, 2021), Chris Isaak (Oct 14, 2022), Cliff Richard (Oct 28, 2022), and Gavin DeGraw (Oct 13, 2023).