Chris Rea Driving Home For Christmas (1986) May 2026

Despite being written in 1978, the song remained in a drawer for years before its eventual release.

The song was born from a moment of personal hardship rather than a desire to write a "hit". Chris Rea Driving Home For Christmas (1986)

: 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. Despite being written in 1978, the song remained

: 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 Despite being written in 1978