Brenda Lee’s ‘Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree’ Declared Official Holiday Song Of Tennessee

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Representative Jason Powell, Brenda Lee and Governor Bill Lee. Photo: Chris Hollo

Brenda Lee‘s beloved holiday classic “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” was honored at a ceremony at the Tennessee State Capitol yesterday (Dec. 2) naming it the “Official Holiday Song of Tennessee.”

Lee was given a signed proclamation by Governor Bill Lee and Representative Jason Powell (D-Nashville) at the special event. Representative Powell filed the bill making the song the official holiday song of the state last December, and the bill passed the state legislature earlier this year and was signed into law by Governor Bill Lee back in April. 

“Brenda Lee is a music icon and a true Tennessee treasure. ‘Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree’ has spread holiday joy throughout the world for decades and we are proud her number one song was made in Nashville,” says Representative Jason Powell. “I am thrilled that my legislation made the beloved ‘Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree’ by Brenda Lee the first official holiday song of Tennessee.”

“Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” has been certified five-times Platinum by the RIAA and reached one billion streams on Spotify. In November 2023, “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for the first time ever, 65 years after the song’s debut, and was at the top spot for three weeks. Lee claims just the third holiday No. 1 ever on the Hot 100, and “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” is also Lee’s third No. 1. Lee and her holiday hit now hold the record for the longest climb to the top of the Hot 100, as the Johnny Marks-written tune was released 65 years ago, when Lee was just 13 years old.

Lorie Hollabaugh
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