Last year, the music icon Brenda Lee achieved a remarkable feat when her 1958 classic “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” claimed the top spot on the Billboard chart. This honor, typically held by Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” each December, was a moment of great pride for Lee. As the 2024 holiday season gets into full swing, it seems she is on the verge of reclaiming this prestigious title once more.

Spotify Success and Platinum Recognition

On December 10th, it was announced that Lee’s beloved song had amassed over 1 billion streams on Spotify. This makes it the only holiday song by a female country artist to reach such a milestone. When Lee heard the news, she was truly dumbfounded. “I can’t believe it. I never thought it would reach such heights,” she shared exclusively with PEOPLE. Additionally, the Recording Industry Association of America honored “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” by certifying it seven times platinum, indicating sales of over 7 million copies. To date, it holds the second-highest certification among Christmas titles, trailing only behind Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You.”

The Festive Rivalry

The friendly rivalry between Brenda Lee and Mariah Carey is a well-known aspect of the holiday season. When “Rockin’” reached the number one spot last year, Carey sent Lee congratulatory flowers. “That was a very sweet gesture. She’s a wonderful person,” Lee said. This shows the respect and camaraderie between the two pop divas.

Lee’s Musical Journey

Brenda Lee has spent the majority of her 80 years dedicated to making music. Even at the age of 12, she scored her first Billboard hit. But her love for singing predated that. “I always knew music was my calling. I loved it so much that I would have done it for free. Singing was my passion, and it still is,” she reminisced. She never imagined that her legacy would be centered around a Christmas song.

New Ventures and Milestones

In 1960, Brenda Lee made history. (Here you can add more details about her 1960 achievements if needed.)Since 1990, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” has achieved a cross-generational status. It became popular through movies like “Home Alone,” as Lee discovered when someone informed her about the song’s usage in the film. Since then, the song’s reputation has continued to grow. In 2023, she premiered a new music video featuring country stars Tanya Tucker and Trisha Yearwood. This year, she also unveiled a new seven-inch vinyl pressing, including a limited edition pink version available at Target. In October, she treated fans to a rendition of the song in Spanish using AI technology. Overseen by four-time Latin Grammy-winning producer Aureo Baqueiro, “Noche Buena y Navidad” maintains the original music and background singers while replacing Lee’s original lead vocals with a newly translated Spanish vocal created using advanced AI.

Holiday Traditions and Wishes

With Christmas and her birthday approaching, Lee is looking forward to spending time with her loved ones. “I’m old-fashioned. I love having my family and friends over. We decorate the tree and have a great time,” she said. Her “old fashioned” Christmas tree is adorned with ornaments from when her kids were little, along with new ones added each year. The smell of the live, green tree brings back memories.In addition to these joys, Lee has a heartfelt wish for the world. “I want people to be kind and have a good life. Our world moves so fast that kindness often gets overlooked. I hope our world can be a better place,” she said.Brenda Lee and her holiday hit will be celebrated again on December 16th at 10 p.m. E when American Masters – Brenda Lee: Rockin’ Around premieres on PBS. This documentary will delve into Lee’s life, legacy, and the roots of her classic song.As we enter another Christmas season, Brenda Lee’s music continues to bring joy and warmth to people around the world. Her story is a testament to the power of music and the enduring spirit of the holiday season.