'Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree' Gets First-Ever Spanish Version Using AI, 70 Years Later

'Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree' Gets First-Ever Spanish Version Using AI, 70 Years Later

By Marcus Bennett

November 16, 2024 at 10:03 PM

Brenda Lee's iconic holiday classic "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" has received a Spanish-language version using AI technology, nearly 70 years after its original release in 1958.

Brenda Lee singing on stage

Brenda Lee singing on stage

Universal Music Group (UMG) created "Noche Buena y Navidad" using a combination of traditional recording techniques and AI technology. The process involved:

  1. Producer Auero Baqueiro adapted the lyrics to Spanish
  2. Chilean singer Leyla Hoyle recorded the Spanish vocals, matching Lee's vocal patterns
  3. MicDrop creator SoundLabs created an AI vocal model using Lee's archived recordings
  4. The AI model was applied to Hoyle's recording to replicate young Lee's voice in Spanish

The new version maintains the original instrumentals and background vocals while featuring AI-generated Spanish vocals that sound like a young Brenda Lee.

Lee, now 79, expressed enthusiasm about the project: "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. To have this out now is pretty incredible."

This release represents a growing trend of authorized AI music projects, following similar ventures by Warner Music with Randy Travis and Timbaland's work with Suno. UMG emphasizes their commitment to responsible AI use and supports the NO FAKES Act to protect artists' rights.

The Spanish version is now available on major streaming platforms, aiming to reach new audiences in Spanish-speaking markets across Latin America.

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