Brenda Lee scores number one song at 78

American singer Brenda Lee has become the oldest person in history to claim the number-one spot on the Billboard Hot 100.

The 78-year-old's holiday song, 'Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree', is back on the charts more than sixty years after its release.

It's the first time it has made it to #1 since its release in 1958. The Christmas song receives major airplay during the holiday season, but not even Brenda could have predicted its continued success. 

"It turned out to be magic. It really did," she told Billboard magazine in an interview.

'Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree' beat Mariah Carey's 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' to the top this festive season. 

The 'Queen of Christmas' has to settle for the #2 spot on the latest chart. Several other holiday songs also feature in the top 10. 'Jingle Bell Rock' by Bobby Helms is at #4, Wham!'s 'Last Christmas' is sitting pretty at #5.

A 'Holly Jolly Christmas' by Burl Ives is at #6, with 'It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year' by Andy Williams jumping 18 places to bag the #10 position.

ALSO READ: Dan Shaw releases vibrant 'African Christmas' song

'Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree' was certified five times platinum in November this year.  

 The song turned 65 last month and Brenda celebrated the milestone by releasing a music video for the track. 

The Rock and Roll and Country Music Hall of Famer says she had the time of her life shooting the video.

Country stars Tanya Tucker and Trisha Yearwood feature in the music video.

"We had a ball making it. We filmed it at the producer’s house, and nothing was choreographed, really. We just had fun. They were just precious to do that for me, and I think folks will love it," she told Billboard. 

While the song was fairly popular when it first came out, it became a smash hit in 1990 when it featured in the 'Home Alone' movie starring Macaulay Culkin.

"It’s just been a blessing."

ALSO READ: 'Music icon' Mariah Carey honoured at theGrio Awards

Watch Brenda's new video for 'Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree' below.

Main image credit: YouTube/Brenda Lee

For loads of fantastic 60s, 70s, and 80s classics, listen to East Coast Gold via the ECR app or here. We’re also on platforms like Alexa (just enable the ‘East Coast Gold’ skill), MyTuner

https://mytuner-radio.com/radio/east-coast-gold-469041/?fbclid=IwAR1f-kZKznvqcHcitmI1mGB178RMg5bGYFI1OVpFsQp6N_rQkl-Pb31EvJo