Brenda 'Little Miss Dynamite' Lee had a 1958 hit with 'Rocking' Around the Christmas Tree' aged just 13. Although the song sold poorly on its initial release and didn't fare much better when re-released a year later, the song went on to have a longevity that far exceeded anyone's expectations. Brenda's version alone has since sold 25 million copies - and that was before anyone else covered it - ensuring writer Johnny Marks never had to worry too much about where the presents were going to come from any Christmas after. Not that he was probably that bothered; he'd already written a song for Gene Autry called 'Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer'. Brenda, now a sprightly 77-year-old, lives in Nashville with her husband of 55 years.
Now you think after all that I'd point you to the 1958 hit but you know what a festive curmudgeon I am and I much prefer this 1963 bitter denouncement of the season.
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