Rockin Around Christmas Tree

South is what Brenda Lee responded when asked by NPR; what the correct direction was to rock around the Christmas tree. In an interview with Chicago Tribune, Brenda mentioned that she had recorded this song with producer Owen Bradley during the hot July summer in Nashville, she said: “Owen had the studio all freezing cold with the air conditioning, and he had a Christmas tree all set up to kind of get in the mood just a little bit. We had a lot of fun.” In 1987, Kim Wilde and Mel Smith featuring Pete Thomas recorded this song for the BBC Comic Relief charity. The music video featured them hosting a Christmas party with guests including The Mekon and an appearance from Smith’s comedy partner Griff Rhys Jones and carol singers played by the band Curiosity Killed the Cat. It reached number 3 in the UK charts.

Release Date: December 1962 (UK) – 1958 (USA)

Songwriter/s: Johnny Marks

Label: Decca

Chart Rankings: In the US, the single did not sell well until Brenda became popular in 1960. It peaked at number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100. In 1965, it reached number 3 on Billboard’s Christmas Singles chart. The song returned to the Billboard Hot 100 in 2015 at number 30. In November 2016, ‘Rockin’ Around Christmas Tree’ was downloaded over 1 million times becoming the 5th all-time best selling Christmas/holiday digital singles in SoundScan history. In the UK, it reached number 6 on the Official Charts Company, and in 2013 it re-entered the charts at number 63.

Artist’s age on Release Date: Brenda Mae Tarpley was 13 years old when she recorded this song and 14 years old when the song was released in the US

Cover Versions: Kim Wilde and Mel Smith – Kim Wilde and Nik Kershaw – Bill Haley and His Comets – Lynn Anderson – The Partridge Family – Lou Ann Barton – Mickey Gilley – Amy Grant – Dion DiMucci – Alvin and the Chipmunks and Patty Loveless – Gary Hoey – Hanson – Cyndi Lauper – Alabama – Element – Green Day – Jessica Simpson and Rosie O’Donnell – Mek Pek – LeAnn Rimes – Rhonda Vincent – Hannah Montana (Miley Cirus)– Toby Keith – 1910 Fuitgum Company – Helena Vondrackova – Davie Allan – Joe Lynn Turner – Lotta Engberg – Vanessa Neigert – Chicago – She & Him – 3 Voices & Beatur – Victoria Justice – Bella Thorne – Mike Cannistraro – JOE-BOY – Glee – II Volo – Jann Arden – Kaitlyn Baker – Chasing Deer – Kelly Clarkson – Some Youtubers also covered this song on Youtube.