A bill filed for the 2024 session of the Tennessee General Assembly would make “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” the first official holiday song of Tennessee.
Rep. Jason Powell (D-Nashville) filed the bill Wednesday morning to mark the official designation of the Christmas staple by Brenda Lee. She was a longtime Nashvillian, and the first woman inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Country Music Hall of Fame. Lee was 13 when she recorded “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” in 1958.
The song was recorded in the heart of Nashville’s Music Row at Quonset Hut Studio and produced by Owen Bradly.
However, the song was written by Johnny Marks, who seemingly had no connection to Tennessee. He specialized in Christmas songs, although he was Jewish and did not celebrate Christmas, according to Wikipedia. Marks wrote “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “A Holly Jolly Christmas,” “Silver and Gold,” and many others.
“Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” topped the Billboard Hot 100 this week for the very first time, 65 years after its release — the longest stretch ever between a record release and hitting No. 1, according to Powell. This made Lee the oldest person ever to hit No. 1 on the chart.
“Brenda Lee is a music icon and a true Tennessee treasure,” Powell said in a statement. “Brenda Lee’s ‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree’ has spread holiday joy throughout the world for decades and we are proud her No. 1 song was made in Nashville.
“I am thrilled to introduce my legislation to make the beloved ‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree’ by Brenda Lee the first official holiday song of Tennessee. I look forward to passing ‘Rockin’’ around the Capitol floor in 2024.”
Tennessee has 10 official state songs, including “Rocky Top,” “A Tennessee Bicentennial Rap: 1796-1996,” and “Smoky Mountain Rain.” Steve Earle’s “Copperhead Road” was made an official state song this year. However, Tennessee has no official state holiday song.
