The success of Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree”
Clip: 12/16/2024 | 1m 28sVideo has Closed Captions
Brenda Lee recorded “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree,” written by Johnny Marx, when she was 12.
Brenda Lee recorded “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree,” written by Johnny Marx, when she was 12 years old. The song received a boost thanks to its inclusion in the classic holiday movie "Home Alone." Brenda became the oldest woman to reach #1 on the Top 100 Billboard Charts when “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” charted in 2023.
Support for American Masters is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, AARP, Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Judith and Burton Resnick, Blanche and Hayward Cirker Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, Koo...
The success of Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree”
Clip: 12/16/2024 | 1m 28sVideo has Closed Captions
Brenda Lee recorded “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree,” written by Johnny Marx, when she was 12 years old. The song received a boost thanks to its inclusion in the classic holiday movie "Home Alone." Brenda became the oldest woman to reach #1 on the Top 100 Billboard Charts when “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” charted in 2023.
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship- Turns out that my very first awareness of her was not being aware that it's her, "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree."
Hearing that as a kid, but I didn't know who sang it.
I was too little at the time.
I just loved the song.
- I recorded "Rockin'" when I was 12.
Johnny Marx wrote it.
I said, "Johnny, you don't even believe in Christmas."
And I said, "Tell me how you wrote 'Rockin'."
He said, "I was laying on the beach in New York "and pine trees were over to this side."
And he said, "I kinda went to sleep to take a little nap.
"And I woke up and I was facing the pine trees, "and they were just kinda swaying like this."
And he said, "And I thought, rocking around Christmas tree."
And there it was.
- They put it out, it didn't sell.
Then she had some big success in Europe, and they released it in Europe, and it then became a huge seller.
- I got a call on the phone, and they said, "Brenda, Brenda, there's a movie out.
"It's called 'Home Alone,' and your song's all over it."
And I said, "Which song?
"What are you talking about?"
They said, "'Rockin'' is all over it."
Well, it just went from there.
- Brenda Lee is a part of millions of families, and has been a part of their life, their entire life, and that's an extraordinary accomplishment with just one song.
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3 classic songs Brenda Lee performed as a teenager
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These are 3 of Brenda's Lee most notable performances from Jubilee USA, also known as Ozark Jubilee. (7m 16s)
Brenda Lee had a fully formed career before even signing a contract
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Brenda Lee made appearances on television, radio and live shows all before she even signed a deal. (2m 29s)
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Discover the life of singer Brenda Lee and her musical hits spanning genres and decades. (2m 56s)
Brenda Lee: Rockin’ Around (ASL Trailer)
Video has Closed Captions
Discover the life of singer Brenda Lee and her musical hits spanning genres and decades. (2m 56s)
Brenda Lee: Rockin’ Around (EAD + OC Trailer)
Discover the life of singer Brenda Lee and her musical hits spanning genres and decades. (3m 31s)
Brenda Lee's career started when she was just 8 years old
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Brenda Lee began working as a professional singer at just eight years old to support her family. (2m 35s)
How Brenda Lee's collaboration with producer Owen Bradley changed the course of her career
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Owen Bradley, producer at Decca Records, took Brenda Lee under his wing and became a mentor to her. (2m 20s)
When Brenda Lee eloped with her husband
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Brenda Lee met her husband Ronnie Shacklett at the age of 17 and eloped with him six months later. (2m 34s)
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipSupport for American Masters is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, AARP, Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Judith and Burton Resnick, Blanche and Hayward Cirker Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, Koo...