Brenda Lee Reflects on Her Record-Breaking No. 1 Hit ‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree’ (Exclusive)

Brenda Lee kicked off the holiday season the new old way: with a #1 song!

“Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree‚” the unyielding Nashville-tinged Christmas anthem she recorded 65 years ago at the age of just 13, reached No. Board Hot 100 earlier this month. It’s both the first time for the song and the first time in recent memory that Mariah Carey’s holiday song “All I Want for Christmas Is You” has topped the charts during the holiday season.

Lee’s achievement will go down in history as only the third holiday song to reach No. 1 on the Hot 100. It also marks her third career No. 1 since “I Want to Be Wanted” in October 1960. At 63 years of stretch, it earned her the spot in the record books as the longest gap between No. 1 songs — an honor previously held by Cher for a quarter of a century after the rise of “Believe” in 1999. At 78, Lee is now the most mature musician reached No. 1, breaking the 59-year-old record held by Louis Armstrong, who was 62 when “Hello Dolly” became a hit in 1964.

Lee, however, is a musical history book in its own right. The pioneering rock legend spoke with PEOPLE about his friendly rivalry with Carey, his memories of the hilarious “Christmas in July” shoot that produced the record-breaking classic, and his early friendships with the Beatles and Elvis Presley.

Brenda Lee’s ‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree’ hit no. 1 65 years after release

First of all, I want to congratulate! Take me back to the moment you found out you were number 1.

Oh, good God. It was so surreal! I still don’t believe it. Even though I know the song is great and written by a great man, after all these years it’s just surreal.

“Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” has been close to No. 1 several times over the past few years, but has always stayed at No. 2 behind “All I Want for Christmas is You.” Did you ever think your song would pass Mariah’s?

You know, I don’t think that way. I’m one of those weird artists who wants everyone to do good, because when everyone does good, we all do good! But “Rockin’” was very close to my heart and I hoped it would do well, as always. There is enough room for all of us.

Why do you think that happened this year? Was there something different in the air this year?

Well, I just think you all got the stick! My record company certainly is. Their mission was to get “Rockin'” back up there. It was a joint effort by all of us and it was a lot of fun. Like the musical days of yesteryear.

I love the new music video with Tanya Tucker and Trisha Yearwood.

They are two of my best friends. We asked them to do it and said, “Okay, let’s turn on the cameras. Do what you want!” There was no script and no direction, but I think it turned out well.

You have so many friends, especially your nearby neighbors. I read the profile describing you as the Honorary Mayor of Nashville! Have a lot of fellow singers congratulated you in the last few days?

They have. And you know, Nashville is the type of town where we feel like if one artist is doing well, we’re all doing well. So we all root for each other. So it’s like, “They like me! They really like me!” [Laughs] My record company is full of modern young people who are on the move. They worked very hard and it was a lot of fun.

I know you’re close to Dolly Parton. Has she extended her hand to congratulate yet?

Oh yeah. Dolly and I, we talk a lot. I’ll tell you something — she’s great. I’ve known Dolly since we were both 17 or 18. We go back a long, long time. Her husband and my husband went to school together. It’s a good relationship.

Have you heard from Mariah yet? Did she give you an honorary Christmas crown?

They didn’t give me the crown, and I’ll tell you — if they don’t, I’m going to take it myself! [Laughs]

[Editor’s Note: Carey sent Lee a bouquet of congratulatory flowers shortly after this interview.]

Brenda Lee/X

I saw a really funny video the other day of you singing “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” over the plane’s loudspeaker mid-flight. How did that happen?

We had a lot of turbulence on that flight and everyone was very nervous. Someone said, “Brenda, get up and sing ‘Rockin’!'” Before I even thought about it, I was up and singing. I don’t like flying, but it was a fun time.

Did you have any idea when you recorded the song back in 1958 that it would become such a big part of your life? I mean, you’re singing it on airplanes decades later!

Not. I knew it was a great song and I was happy to get it, but I never thought it would be my signature song. Never.

You’ve recorded several Christmas songs over the years: “I’m Gonna Lasso Santa Claus” — which is my favorite — and “Papa Noel.” Have you ever thought, “Hey, why didn’t ‘I’m Gonna Lasso Santa’ become my signature song? What do you think it is about the song “Rockin'” that connects it to so many generations?

Oh my lord, “I’m Gonnot Lasso Santa” – you’re going way back in time. I like that! I just think “Rockin'” is infectious. You know, it’s easy to learn, it’s easy to sing, and it’s just an addictive thing.

What do you remember from the shooting? Didn’t follow the song in the middle of summer? Talk about Christmas in July!

We’re! [Producer] Owen Bradley had a studio [live room] all decorated with Christmas decorations and a Christmas tree. By this time you had stopped all Christmas carols in the summer heat, so Owen turned the air conditioner down to zero to lift the spirits. And baby, that Quonset hut got cold! It added to the spirit though. It was really a lot of fun.

Brenda Lee – “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”. Courtesy of Decca

This song has become part of many people’s Christmas traditions. What were your holiday traditions growing up?

When I was growing up, we were not financially stable. We did our best, but we didn’t have much equipment. So our house was full of relatives and everyone was cooking and stuff like that. Instead of gifts, it was more family.

Speaking of houses full of families, one of the first times I heard “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” was while watching a movie Home alone. Is that movie often played in your house at Christmas?

Sometimes! A friend called me and said, “Brenda, have you seen that new movie Home alone?” And I said, “No, why?” They said, “Your song is everywhere.” I hung up and thought, “Huh. What song are they talking about?” So I called them back and they said, “‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.’ It’s all over!” And that’s where that song really got a big boost. It must have been good for me – as well as the public for keeping it number 1 all these years. I really appreciate it.

Well, you’re the reigning Queen of Christmas now, but you’ve been the Queen of Rock for much longer. You had more chart hits in the 60s than anyone, and Board declared you the best performer of the decade. I wanted to ask about some famous fans of yours: the Beatles. I know you’ve been with them in the past. Are there any memories you’d like to share?

I go way back with the Beatles. I worked with them in their early years when I was constantly touring England. I was just at Ringo’s show. He did a concert here at the Musicians Hall of Fame and we reminisced a bit. It was a lot of fun. But we all studied in those days. We were on the edge of our seats a lot of times, but we had fun. We also played in Germany, in the club Star.

John Lennon once said that your voice defines rock and roll.

Awww, that was so sweet of him. Thank you for sharing it!

I know Elvis was another big fan of yours. What are your memories of him?

We were good friends. I loved Elvis. He was a good guy. I wish he was still here. He certainly changed our industry and I think we all miss him. One thing I can say about Elvis, I don’t think there was an entertainer who knew him that was jealous of him. We all loved him. We all appreciated him and we all miss him.

You have such a beautiful community of musicians around you. I have no sense of competition at all. I have a feeling that’s not the case in the music industry today.

It’s not. And it’s a shame that it isn’t. Because you know what? We all have something different to offer. We all love what we do and we should all love each other.

It’s a nice message to end on as we get ready for the holidays. The last question I want to ask you: when it comes to decorating your own Christmas tree, do you have any traditions?

We have our old decorations. Half of them are broken because the kids dropped them! We put them on and remember when we got them. Let’s remember which one belongs to which grandchild or child. Christmas is quite special in our house.

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Source: HIS Education