Anderson charted 12 No. 1, 18 Top 10, and more than 50 Top 40 hits. In addition to being named "Top Female Vocalist" by the Academy of Country Music (ACM) twice and "Female Vocalist of the Year" by the Country Music Association (CMA), Anderson won a Grammy Award (earning seven nominations), People's Choice Award and an American Music Award (AMA). She was named Billboard's Female Artist of the Decade (1970–1980).
Anderson was the first female country artist to win the American Music Award (in 1974), as well as the first to headline and sellout Madison Square Garden that same year.
Anderson debuted in 1966, at the age of 19, and had her first hit with Ride, Ride, Ride. After a series of Top 10 hit singles on the country charts during the late 1960s, Anderson signed with Columbia Records in 1970. Under Columbia, she had her most successful string of hits. Her signature song, "(I Never Promised You a) Rose Garden", remains one of the biggest selling country crossover hits of all time. In addition, the song also went to No. 3 on the Billboard Pop Chart and reached the top of the charts in several countries, an unprecedented achievement at the time. CMT ranks "Rose Garden" at No. 83 on its list of the "100 Greatest Songs in Country Music History". Anderson continued to record and remained a popular concert attraction until her death, regularly headlining major casino showrooms, performing arts centers and theaters.
She grew up in Sacramento, California with her mother, acclaimed singer-songwriter Liz Anderson who wrote "The Fugitive" and "(All My Friends Are Gonna Be) Strangers", both Merle Haggard hits, among others. She began her solo career in 1966 with "In Person", followed by a hit with her mother's "If I Kiss You (Will You Go Away)".
In 1968 she married Glenn Sutton, a future Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee, with whom she had a daughter, Lisa. (They divorced in 1977.)
Consistent hits followed, and she was a regular on The Lawrence Welk Show during the 1967-68 season. In 1969 Anderson signed to Columbia where her work veered a bit more toward a polished, pop sound. She released her signature song, "Rose Garden" in late 1970. The song, written by Joe South, won a Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance reached number 1 on the U.S. country charts, and also hit number 3 on the pop charts, as well as being a hit in fifteen countries. Anderson also received Grammy nominations for her recordings "Big Girls Don't Cry" (1968), "That's a No No" (1969), and "How Can I Unlove You" (1971)> Anderson's other hits during this period included "You're My Man", "Listen to a Country Song", "Top of the World" (a number 1 country record for Anderson before becoming a pop hit for The Carpenters), "Cry", "Keep Me in Mind", "What a Man My Man Is" and "Smile For Me". In 1971, she was voted Top Female Vocalist of the year by both the Academy of Country Music and Country Music Association. Anderson charted eight no.one singles, 18 Top-Tens and earned a total of 17 international Gold records. She was perhaps the most in-demand country female vocalist on network television throughout the 1970's but after 1975 her records usually peaked in the top 20 as opposed to her earlier top ten success.
Anderson married a Louisiana businessman in 1978. The second marriage produced two more children, and she was divorced in 1982.
Anderson remained one of the top female country singers into the 1980's. Her last top ten record was 1984s "You're Welcome to Tonight". During the late 1980's and early 1990s, she received much press for her disputes with her now-divorced second husband. After spending time on her ranch, raising horses and participating in equestrian events, she began recording again in 1992.
"The Bluegrass Sessions", released in 2004, earned Anderson her first Grammy nomination in over 30 years.
That same year Anderson was arrested in Denton, Texas, for drunk driving.
The American Rose Society created and named in her honor a white and raspberry hybrid tea rose.
Anderson released a new CD of original songs entitled "Cowgirl" in 2006, all of the songs penned by her mother, the acclaimed songwriter Liz Anderson.
Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree
Lynn Anderson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mistletoe hung where you can see and 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 good old fashioned way
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 good old fashioned way
Everyone dancin' merrily in the good old fashioned way
Lynn Anderson's "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" is an upbeat and festive holiday classic that captures the spirit of the Christmas season. The song describes a Christmas party where people are dancing and having a great time. The lyrics describe the atmosphere of the party as very lively with people rocking around the Christmas tree. The mistletoe hanging suggests that there is also some romance in the air. The song's chorus is a call to enjoy the spirit of Christmas and to be happy. The final lines of the song emphasize the idea of being together with loved ones in a familiar and joyful way.
The song’s upbeat tune and the catchy chorus have made it a holiday favorite for over 60 years, but what makes the song special is how it evokes a sense of nostalgia and warmth associated with Christmas time. The lyrics create a cheerful and uplifting mood, prompting people to sing and dance joyfully.
In conclusion, "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" is a festive and joyful song that has become a classic since its release in 1958. It celebrates the spirit of Christmas and the joy of being together with loved ones.
Line by Line Meaning
Rockin' around the Christmas tree at the Christmas party hop
We're dancing and enjoying the festive season
Mistletoe hung where you can see and every couple tries to stop
We're spreading love and enjoying the romantic side of Christmas
Rockin' around the Christmas tree let the Christmas spirit ring
We're fully embracing the holiday atmosphere and having a good time
Later we'll have some pumpkin pie and we'll do some caroling
We'll continue the festivities with some traditional Christmas activities
You will get a sentimental feeling when you hear
Hearing certain songs or seeing certain decorations can evoke strong emotions
Voices singing let's be jolly, deck the halls with boughs of holly
We're encouraging each other to be happy and decorate for the season
Rockin' around the Christmas tree, have a happy holiday
We're wishing each other a joyful and happy holiday season
Everyone dancin' merrily in the good old fashioned way
We're enjoying the traditional Christmas celebrations with festive dancing
Lyrics © ST. NICHOLAS MUSIC INC., Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Johnny Marks
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind