Delayed Success of "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" Highlights Recontextualization

Key Quotes

"Well you know what that is still not connecting with my brain I'm just so thrilled for the writer I was very close to the writer johnny marks and I wish he was here to witness all this but it's a great song it's a wonderful song and lord has it been good to me I never thought that a Christmas song would be my signature song but it is and I'm proud of it."

Brenda Lee expresses her deep gratitude and surprise that "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" became her signature song. She highlights her connection to the songwriter, Johnny Marks, and her pride in the song's enduring success. Lee conveys a sense of humility and appreciation for the impact the song has had on her career.

"It still feels pretty surreal it really does and when I say that people say oh brenda good lord that thing came out when you were 12 or 13 or however old you were I said but you know what it never gets old."

Brenda Lee reflects on the surreal feeling of hearing her decades-old song remain popular. She acknowledges the surprise many express about her age when she first recorded it, emphasizing that the song's timeless quality makes it feel perpetually fresh. Lee conveys a sense of wonder at the song's lasting appeal.

"Well I remember that my great producer owen bradley he had the air conditioning turned to zero because we recorded it of course in the summer and he had a Christmas tree up and and we just had a great time doing it you know good songs are easy to do and I think we did that one maybe in one rehearsal and one take."

Brenda Lee recalls the recording process for "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree," emphasizing the relaxed and efficient atmosphere. She describes the unusual setting of a Christmas tree in a cold studio during summer and credits the song's quality and the producer's skill for its quick and successful recording. Lee suggests that great songs are inherently easy to capture when the conditions are right.

"No but I'd love to I love mariah I'm a big fan her christmas song is great you know there's room for all of us and if it's good it's everything so I well I listen to both of you a lot around this time of year so I appreciate you both as well."

Brenda Lee expresses admiration for Mariah Carey and her Christmas hit, stating there is ample space for multiple successful holiday songs. She conveys a fan's appreciation for Carey's music and emphasizes a philosophy of shared success in the music industry. Lee suggests that the quality of the music is the ultimate determinant of its value.

"Well you need to include I'm sorry I'm sorry so sorry that I was such a fool the early stuff because that that's really how I and what I was doing I appreciate the songwriters that brought them to me I appreciate the great a team the musicians because they were like my big brothers and the anita kerr singers it's just listening to all these great guys do their thing and share their talent with me."

Brenda Lee advocates for including her earlier work, particularly "I'm Sorry," to showcase her foundational musical identity. She expresses gratitude towards the songwriters, musicians, and the Anita Kerr Singers who contributed to her early success. Lee highlights the collaborative spirit and the talent of her fellow artists during that period.