‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree’ is a Christmas song, written by Johnny Marks and recorded by Brenda Lee in 1958. Although Decca released it in both 1958 and again in 1959, it did not sell well until Lee became a popular star in 1960; that Christmas season, it hit number 16 on the Billboard pop chart and turned into a perennial holiday favorite. For well over 30 years, Brenda Lee’s version had sales and radio airplay all to itself. Then, in 1992, Ronnie Spector and Darlene Love got together and recorded the song for A Very Special Christmas Volume 2. In 1993, Dion recorded a version for his Christmas album and Amy Grant recorded a version for her second Christmas album.
In 2023, Brenda Lee’s version of ‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree’ hit number one in the US Billboard Hot 100 for the first time, after having been at number two behind Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’ in December for several years.
Mel & Kim version
Kim Wilde recorded ‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree’ together with Mel Smith in order to raise money for Comic Relief. It was produced by Stuart Colman. Some extra comedy material was added to the track, written by Mel Smith and Griff Rhys-Jones. The track was released on 7″ and 12″ single in the autumn of 1987. The duo operated under the name Mel & Kim. The single raised a total of £ 76,610 for Comic Relief.
Versions
There are three versions of the song: the 7″ version and the 12″ version, released on vinyl in 1987, and an edited version of the 12″ version, released in 2017 on Spotify, iTunes and other media.
Live performances
‘Rockin’ around the Christmas tree’ was performed live during the Here & Now Greatest Hits Tour in 2003, the Here & Now Tour 2004, Quofestive Tour in 2011, Christmas gigs in December 2013, 2014 and 2015, and during the Wilde Wild Xmas Show in December 2017.
Kim about ‘Rockin’ around the Christmas tree’ [1987]
What do you mean I’m unkind to Mel in the song? Well, yes… I suppose I am a bit off hand with him, but that’s what’s funny about the record, isn’t it? (1)
Chart performance
Ireland: 4 (6 weeks)
United Kingdom: 3 (7 weeks)
Kim Wilde & Nik Kershaw version
In 2013, Kim recorded a new version of ‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree’, together with Nik Kershaw. Twelfth track of her album Wilde Winter Songbook.
Kim about ‘Rockin’ around the Christmas tree’ [2013]
Me and this song go back a long way, and started when ‘Comic Relief’ asked comedian Mel Smith and I to record it to support their first ever ‘Red Nose Day’ in 1987. It reached No 3 in the UK charts and has been played on the radio every Christmas since. More recently my brother Ricky and I were caught belting this tune out on a train from London Kings Cross to Potters Bar. We had both been to a rather wonderful Xmas party hosted by Magic FM 105.4, and were in a somewhat over-refreshed state…the rest, as they, is history ; ) (2)
Credits
Vocals: Kim Wilde & Nik Kershaw
Piano & keys: Steve Power
Drums & percussion: Jonathan Atkinson
Bass, keys, acoustic guitar & additional vocals: Ricky Wilde
Backing vocals: Scarlett Wilde
Guitar solo: Nik Kershaw
Produced by Ricky Wilde
Recorded at RAK Studios, London
Mixed by Ricky Wilde & Sean Vincent at RAK Studios, London
Engineered by Sean Vincent, assisted by Robbie Nelson & Helen Atkinson
Interview sources
(1) Wow! What an almighty Christmas groove! In: Smash Hits (UK), December 16, 1987
(2) Track by track, Kimwilde.com website (UK), November 11, 2013
Lyrics
Mel & Kim version
Mel Smith: Christmas coming around again eh?
Griff Rhys-Jones: Yeah I mean it must be nearly a year since the last one
Mel: Oh it’s a good twelve months
Both: Yeah yeah
Mel: You getting anything for your Granny this year?
Griff: Well I thought about it I couldn’t be bothered
Mel: Well it’s the thought that counts innit
Griff: Yeah that’s how I see it
What do you fancy for Christmas then
Mel: Kim Wilde as usual, kidding myself though arent’t I
It’s hopeless really it’s pathetic I suppose in a way
Griff: It is yeah – hello who is this?
Kim Wilde: Merry Christmas Melvyn
Mel: It can’t be
Kim: Come on Mel how about pulling a cracker
Mel: By the look of you darling I think I already have
Get it
Kim: Rockin’ around the Christmas tree
At the Christmas party hop
Mistletoe hung where you can see
Every couple try to stop
Come on Melly-pops
Rockin’ around the Christmas tree
Let the Christmas spirit ring
Later we’ll have some pumpkin pie
And we’ll do some caroling
Mel: Pumpkin pie anyone?
Both: 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
Kim: This is so corny
Both: Everyone’s dancing merrily
in the new old fashioned way
Mel: Wow I am in the most almighty Christmas groove
I haven’t had this much fun since “Two little boys” was number one
If my friends could see me now
How do I look?
Kim: Ridiculous
Mel: You little tease
A dance, Kimberley?
Kim: I do love a nice sax break
Mel: Yeah me too Kim, but let’s wait till the record’s over
Kim do you think our love will last forever?
Kim: No
Mel: Couple of years maybe?
Kim: No
Mel: Do you think we’ll make it to the end of the record?
Kim: How long is that – exactly?
Kim: You will get a sentimental feeling when you hear
Mel: All together now
Both: Voices singing let’s be jolly
Deck the halls with boughs of holly
Griff: Excuse me can I sing something now?
Mel: Get lost Griff!
Griff: Well that’s nice…
Mel & Kim: Rockin’ around the Christmas tree
Let the Christmas spirit ring
Mel: Root beer anyone?
Both: Later we’ll have pumpkin pie
And we’ll do some carolling
Mel: There’s plenty of pumpkin pie left by the way
Both: Rockin’ around the Christmas tree
Have a happy holiday
Kim: Do you mind Melvyn?
Both: Everyone’s dancing merrily
In the new old fashioned way
Griff: Wow yeah that was fantastic
Kim: Very nice
Mel: Let’s do it again! One two three four…
Kim: Strewth
Mel: Five!
Both: Rockin’ around the Christmas tree
Have a happy holiday
Mel: He overdid it with the pumpkin pie
Both: Everyone’s dancing merrily
In the new old fashioned way
Mel: Merry Christmas everybody!
Kim: Merry Christmas everybody!
Bye Mel it’s been really interesting
Griff: I’ll tell you who I fancy for Christmas
Mel: Who’s that
Griff: Bananarama
Mel: Yeah can’t help you there I’m afraid
Griff: Oh thanks a bundle!
Kim Wilde & Nik Kershaw version
Kim: Rockin’ around the Christmas tree
At the Christmas party hop
Mistletoe hung where you can see
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
Nik: You will get a sentimental feeling when you hear
Voices singing let’s be jolly
Deck the halls with boughs of holly
Kim & Nik: Rockin’ around the Christmas tree
Have a happy holiday
Everyone’s dancing merrily
in the new old fashioned way
Kim: 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’s dancing merrily
in the new old fashioned way
Kim & Nik: Rockin’ around the Christmas tree
Have a happy holiday
Everyone’s dancing merrily
In the new old fashioned way
Nik: Happy Crimbo Kimbo!