DAILY DIRT: 65 years later, this song is No. 1

“Rockin’ Around the Chrismas Tree” takes spot spot on this week’s Billboard Hot 100 … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 804 of The Daily Dirt.

1. This is really an amazing kind of story.

I think anyone who is classified as a baby boomer — or whatever label represents the next oldest part of the population — is probably familiar with the holiday song “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” by Brenda Lee.

That song is No. 1 this week on the Billboard Hot 100  — 65 years after its 1958 release. Lee, who is now 78, was 13 years old when she recorded it. She is now the oldest woman to ever have a No. 1 song.

“The song came out when I was a young teenager and now to know that it has resonated with multiple generations and continues to resonate — it is one of the best gifts I have ever received. Keep on Rockin’ and Merry Christmas!” Lee said in a press statement.

Christmas music is ruling the Billboard Hot 100 this week, with six of the top 10 songs. Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You” sits at No. 2, Bobby Helms’ “Jingle Bell Rock” is No. 4, “Last Christmas” by Wham! is No. 5, “Holly Jolly Christmas” by Burl Ives is No. 6, and Andy Williams’ “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” is No. 10.

Billboard said “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” is the 1,161st No. 1 in the Hot 100’s history.

2. Speaking of best-selling records, here’s an updated list of the best-selling artists of all time.

The total number of albums sold below reflect U.S. figures only:

• 1. The Beatles, 178 million sold
• 2. Garth Brooks, 138 million
• 3. Elvis Presley, 136 million
• 4. Lez Zeppelin, 111.5 million
• 5. The Eagles, 101 million
• 6. Billy Joel, 82.5 million
• 7. Michael Jackson, 81 million
• 8. Elton John, 78 million
• 9. Pink Floyd 75 million
• 10. AC/DC, 72 million
• 11. George Strait, 69 million
• 12. Barbra Streisand, 68.5 million
• 13. The Rolling Stones, 66.5 million
• 14. Aerosmith, 66.5 million
• 15. Bruce Springsteen, 65.5 million
• 16. Madonna, 64.5 million
• 17. Mariah Carey, 64 million
• 18. Metallica, 63 million
• 19. Whitney Houston, 57 million
• 20. Van Halen, 56.5 million

3. The best of “Found on Facebook” this week:

• “Don’t blame the holidays. You were fat in August.”
• “Raisin cookies that look like chocolate chip cookies are the main reason I have trust issues.”
• “Oprah reveals how she manages to stay stress free: 1. Have a billion dollars.”
• “If laziness were an Olympic sport, I’d come in fourth so I wouldn’t have to walk up to the podium.”
• “After turning 60 our brains are slower because we know so much. It takes awhile to recall something from that giant storehouse of information.”

Steve Thought O’ The Day — I’m mildly surprised Taylor Swift is not a member of that top 20 list in Thought No. 2.

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. It is now his goal to mention Taylor Swift in every column.