Driving Home For Christmas

Year: 1988

Written By: Chris Rea

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'Driving Home for Christmas' was Christmas single released as a non-album single in December 1988 by Chris Rea. Chris Rea claimed in a live interview that he had written the song years before he first recorded it. The song was released on four different formats; CD, cassette, 7" vinyl and a 12" vinyl.

Chris Rea claims that inspiration for this Christmas song came from when he and his wife were stuck in traffic heading from London to Middlesbrough. Rea describes 'Driving Home for Christmas' as a 'car version of a carol'.

When initially released, the Christmas song peaked at number 53 in UK Single Chart's back in 1988. What is remarkable is that not only did 'Driving Home for Christmas' re-enter the charts without being rereleased, but it also re-entered the charts and achieved a higher peak position (number 33 in 2007) in the UK Singles Charts than when it was originally released. This statistic is one which carries through many countries charts which is an amazing statistic. The highest peak position 'Driving Home for Christmas' in any chart has occurred in the Norway Singles Chart, this position it managed to peak at was number two. The majority of the peak positions this song has achieved around the world, has occurred after the millennium.

The most notable cover version of 'Driving Home for Christmas' is by Michael Ball. He released his own version for the album, Christmas.

Originally, Chris Rea decided not to produce a music video to accompany this festive hit. However, over 20 years later, in 2009, it was decided that there would be a music video release to accompany the track. This music video was made for non-profit thoughts, it was decided that the video was to be a charity video that was to be made in aid of Shelter and that all proceeds from the video would go directly to the charity.

The music video accompanying 'Driving Home for Christmas' features a vast array of celebrities.  Most notable celebrities are; Matt D'Angelo, Lionel Blair and Andy Abrahams. The music video shows a number of featured celebrities stuck in a traffic jam while in the snow. It also shows a number of the celebrities dancing in the snow while mimicking the lyrics. Later it features the celebrities appearing to be at a party enjoying themselves.