Classic Christmas song gets authorized Spanish reworking thanks to ‘responsible’ AI

In the decades following its 1958 release, Brenda Lee’s rockabilly-tinged “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” has attained status as an all-time holiday classic. Sixty-six years later, it’s getting a Spanish language rework courtesy of “responsible” AI.

Universal on Friday announced the release of “Noche Buena y Navidad,” which utilized SoundLabs AI’s MicDrop technology to reconstruct Spanish vocals based on the then 13-year-old Lee’s original.

Lee, now 79, appears to approve. “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,” the singer says. “To have this out now is pretty incredible and I’m happy to introduce the song to fans in a new way.”

With the holiday now exactly two months out, it’s a safe bet music execs are dreaming on an AI Christmas.