The holiday classic “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” is now the official Holiday Song of Tennessee and its singer is set to be recognized next week.
The song was officially designated as a state song earlier this year, with legislation filed in December 2023 by Rep. Jason Powell (D-Nashville). The bill was signed into law by Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee in April. The song’s performer, Brenda Lee, a longtime Nashvillian, is set to receive a proclamation on the designation next week.
The song was recorded in the heart of Nashville’s Music Row at Quonset Hut Studio and produced by Owen Bradly. It 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.
Lee is the first woman inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Country Music Hall of Fame. She was 13 when she recorded “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” in 1958.
When Powell filed the legislation last year, the song had just topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for the very first time, 65 years after its initial release. That’s the longest stretch ever between a record release and it’s hitting No 1. “Rockin’” remained at No. 1 for three weeks.
Lee also became the oldest female ever to hit No. 1 on the chart. She also now holds the record for the longest gap between an artist’s first and most recent week at No. 1 on the Hot 100. Her first No. 1 single was “I’m Sorry” in 1960.
“Brenda Lee is a music icon and a true Tennessee treasure,” Powell said in a statement. “‘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 that my legislation made the beloved ‘Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree’ by Brenda Lee the first official holiday song of Tennessee.”
Brenda Lee will receive the proclamation in a ceremony at the Tennessee State Capitol on Monday, December 2nd.
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, until now, Tennessee has had no official state holiday song.