Chris Rea Driving Home For Christmas (1986) May 2026

: On the snowy journey back, the couple became trapped in heavy traffic near Nottingham. Rea observed the "miserable" faces of fellow motorists and jokingly began singing, "We're driving home for Christmas". He scribbled the lyrics on scraps of paper whenever streetlights illuminated the car’s interior. Composition and Delayed Success

: Because the record company refused to pay for a train ticket, his wife, Joan, drove their old Austin Mini all the way from Middlesbrough to London to pick him up from Abbey Road Studios. Chris Rea Driving Home For Christmas (1986)

Chris Rea on 'Driving Home for Christmas' | The Story Behind : On the snowy journey back, the couple

: In December 1978, Chris Rea was at a low ebb in his career. His record contract was ending, his manager was leaving, and he was banned from driving. Composition and Delayed Success : Because the record