Lee was a musical prodigy and by the time she was two she would hear songs on the radio once and be able to whistle the complete tune. She was five years old when she started to gain wider attention when she won a local singing contest sponsored by the elementary schools. At age 11, she was offered a recording contract with Decca Records and released the song “Dynamite,” leading to her lifelong nickname, “Little Miss Dynamite.”
Lee was popular in the UK very early in her career, and her 1961 rockabilly release “Let’s Jump the Broomstick” did not chart in the US, but went to #12 in the UK. Her biggest hits during this time include a rockabilly version of the country classic “Jambalaya (On the Bayou),” “Sweet Nothin’s,” “I Want to Be Wanted,” “All Alone Am I,” and “Fool #1.”
In 1960, she recorded her signature song, “I’m Sorry,” which hit number one on the Billboard pop chart and was her first gold single. Her last top-10 single on the pop charts was 1963’s “Losing You,” while she continued to have other chart songs such as her 1966 song “Coming On Strong” and “Is It True?” in 1964.
During the early 1970s, Lee re-established herself as a country music artist, and earned a string of Top 10 hits on the country charts. Her biggest selling track of her career is, oddly enough, a Christmas song: “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” It was released in 1958, but it sold only 5,000 copies. However, it eventually sold over five million copies and remains a perennial radio favorite each December. In December 2023, Lee became the oldest artist to ever top the Hot 100, when "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" topped the chart 65 years after its release.
Over the ensuing years, Lee has continued to record and perform all around the world, previously cutting records in four different languages. She is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Rockabilly Hall of Fame, and the Hit Parade Hall of Fame. In 1992, she recorded a duet with Willy DeVille; Chuck Berry also wrote a song about her. Lee has been married to Ronnie Shacklett since 1963, and they have two daughters and three grandchildren. She is the second recipient of the Jo Meador-Walker Lifetime Achievement award.
Throughout her career, Brenda Lee has released 41 studio albums, 12 compilation albums, and over 100 singles. She has had numerous top twenty hits on the Billboard Hot 100, Country, and AC charts in the US, UK, and Canada.
Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree
Brenda Lee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
At the Christmas party hop
Mistletoe hung where you can see
Every couple tries to stop
Rockin' around the Christmas tree
Let the Christmas spirit ring
Later we'll have some pumpkin pie
And we'll do some caroling
You will get a sentimental feeling when you hear
Voices singing, let's be jolly
Deck the halls with boughs of holly
Rockin' around the Christmas tree
Have a happy holiday
Everyone dancin' merrily
In the new old-fashioned way
Oh, you will get a sentimental feeling when you hear
Voices singing, let's be jolly
Deck the halls with boughs of holly
Rockin' around the Christmas tree
Have a happy holiday
Everyone dancin' merrily
In the new old-fashioned way
"Brenda Lee's "Rockin Around The Christmas Tree" is an upbeat and joyful song that celebrates the spirit of Christmas. The singer invites everyone to join in the festive celebration and dance around the Christmas tree at the Christmas party hop. Mistletoe is hung where everyone can see, and every couple tries to steal a kiss under it. The song encourages people to let the Christmas spirit ring and to enjoy the holiday by consuming some pumpkin pie and caroling.
The song is all about the atmosphere of Christmas. The lyrics express how listening to Christmas music, and singing along with others can fill you with a sentimental feeling of joy and happiness. The voices singing, "Let's be jolly, Deck the halls with boughs of holly," emphasizes the importance of coming together on this special occasion and enjoying the festivities.
In the end, the song concludes with a message that everyone should have a happy holiday, and all should enjoy the festivities by dancing merrily in the "new old-fashioned way." The song's lively and festive mood has made it a holiday classic that people still love and listen to every year."
Line by Line Meaning
Rockin' around the Christmas tree
Dancing around the Christmas tree with joy and enthusiasm
At the Christmas party hop
Attending a lively Christmas celebration with music and dancing
Mistletoe hung where you can see
A decoration for a Christmas tradition, symbolizing love and affection
Every couple tries to stop
Couples pause under the mistletoe for a kiss
Let the Christmas spirit ring
Embrace the joyful and festive mood of the season
Later we'll have some pumpkin pie
Eating a traditional dessert that represents the harvest season
And we'll do some caroling
Singing Christmas songs to spread holiday cheer
Deck the halls with boughs of holly
Decorating the house with greenery and Christmas ornaments
Have a happy holiday
Wishing everyone a joyful and merry Christmas
Everyone dancin' merrily
Joining in the festive rhythm of the celebration
In the new old-fashioned way
Celebrating Christmas traditions in a modern era
You will get a sentimental feeling when you hear
Experiencing nostalgia and emotion when listening to Christmas music
Voices singing, let's be jolly
Singing songs of joy and happiness during the Christmas season
Lyrics © TuneCore Inc., ST. NICHOLAS MUSIC INC., Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Johnny Marks
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind