In the decades since its release in 1958, Brenda Lee’s original “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” has become a holiday staple, its catchy rockabilly beat and lyrics etched in the cultural consciousness. Now, 66 years later, the song is getting a reboot of sorts, courtesy of revolutionary AI technology.
Universal has announced the release of “Noche Buena y Navidad,” a Spanish-language rework of the original, constructed using the innovative MicDrop technology developed by SoundLabs. This cutting-edge AI system has reconstructed Spanish vocals based on the original 1958 recordings of 13-year-old Brenda Lee.
The inspirational country music legend, now 79, appears to be thrilled with the new rendition. “Throughout my career, I performed and recorded many songs in different languages, but I never recorded ‘Rockin” in Spanish, which I would have loved to do,” she says. “To have this out now is pretty incredible and I’m happy to introduce the song to fans in a new way.”
The move to release an AI-generated Spanish-language version of “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” is likely not a one-off. With the holiday season just two months away, industry executives are no doubt pinning their hopes on AI-powered music to be the next big thing. The potential is enormous, with the ability to rework classic hits and make them relevant to new audiences. For those in the music industry, the possibilities are endless, and the potential for profit is significant. As “Noche Buena y Navidad” hit the airwaves, it will be interesting to see how music lovers react to this innovative take on a holiday classic.
