“Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” by Brenda Lee

In 1958, vocal powerhouse Brenda Lee sang the beloved rockabilly holiday hit “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.”

In 2023, she appeared in the long-awaited music video.

Brenda Lee was just thirteen when she first recorded “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” Penned by Johnny Marks, the songwriter behind other Christmas classics like “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “A Holly Jolly Christmas”, this song’s upbeat tempo and catchy lyrics have made it a favorite among Christmas enthusiasts of all ages. No wonder it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2019!

“Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” is often played at parties, holiday gatherings, and in retail stores during the Christmas season. Additionally, it’s been covered by many artists, including Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber. Of course, its popularity doesn’t stop there! This holiday hit has also been featured in numerous films and television shows, including Home Alone and Glee. It even hit second on the Billboard charts during the 2019 holiday season. Talk about a song with staying power!

The music video features cameos by country stars Tanya Tucker and Trisha Yearwood. Of course, Brenda Lee herself is the star of the show! Now seventy-eight and adorned in her holiday best, Brenda dances and sings her way around a festive home. Seeing a grown-up Brenda lip-sync to the song she first recorded in her teens is both magical and bittersweet. We have to imagine that for Brenda Lee, recording “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” probably feels like it happened yesterday.

And that’s an important lesson for all of us. Our sense of time actually speeds up as we age. While the holidays can stress us out, they can also be magical. This holiday season, really slow down and savor every moment. After all, Christmas only comes around once a year!