Brenda Lee Shares New Music Video For “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree”

Brenda Lee Celebrates 65 Years Of “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” With Release Of New Music Video

Brenda Lee was only 13 years old when she recorded “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” The song was written by Johnny Marks, who also wrote the holiday staples “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “A Holly Jolly Christmas.”

Marks knew he wanted Lee to bring his next Christmas song to life. In a 2019 interview with The Tennessean, she said she was puzzled by Marks’ desire to have her record the tune.

“…I had not had a lot of success in records, but for some reason he heard me and wanted me to do it. And I did,” she said.

Lee released “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” in 1958. The song didn’t take off right away, but finally hit big in 1960. That was the year it first appeared on the Billboard Hot 100, claiming the 14th spot.

It has since appeared on the chart in many following years, peaking as high as #2 in 2019-2022. It finally reached #1 in 2023.

“Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” Is Now A Holiday Classic

Today, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” is a beloved holiday classic. Many also consider it to be Lee’s signature song.

In 2008, Readers Digest Canada reported that “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” had sold over 25 million units. It’s been covered by numerous other artists, including Alabama, LeAnn Rimes, and Justin Bieber, to name a few.

“Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” also experienced a resurgence after it played in the 1990 film Home Alone.

“Somebody called me and said, ‘Have you seen the movie Home Alone? You ought to, because they’ve got ‘Rockin” really featured in it,'” Lee recalled in a 2019 conversation withBillboard. “That’s when it really took off with the youngsters. I knew it was special, but you never know what’s going to be a hit — if you did, we’d all have hits every day. It has been a wonderful gift.”

Brenda Lee’s New Christmas Music Video Features Her Famous Friends Tanya Tucker & Trisha Yearwood

This year (2023) marks the 65th anniversary of when “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” was released. To celebrate, Lee released a brand-new music video to accompany the song.

What makes this music video extra special is the fact that it’s the first music video Lee has EVER filmed in her decades-long career. The video also features two of her famous friends…Trisha Yearwood and Tanya Tucker.

“I was elated when I got the invite to be in Brenda Lee’s video,” Tucker said. “Her ONLY video EVER!!! It was released 65 years ago!!! She’s the Perennial Queen of Christmas in my book!!! It’s so timeless and one of my very favorite Christmas songs!!! Everybody loves this song and everyone loves Brenda Lee!! She’s my dearest friend and I’d do anything for her!”

The video was released on Friday (November 3), just in time for the holiday season! It opens with Lee singing in a stunning red gown, with a beautifully decorated Christmas tree in the background.

As the video progresses, we see scenes of a family enjoying a holiday dinner together, Lee baking cookies with Yearwood, and Tucker enjoying a drink with Lee after helping decorate the tree. There’s even a dance break in the middle!

Head below to watch Lee spread Christmas cheer through her new music video for “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” If you want to hear more holiday music from Lee, then check out her new EP A Rockin’ Christmas with Brenda Lee here.