Explore the lyrics of “Driving Home For Christmas.” Learn the story behind this classic song’s words, perfect for holiday karaoke and singalongs.
The lyrics to “Driving Home For Christmas” resonate because they describe a specific, universal holiday experience. The words sketch a scene of long car journeys, traffic tailbacks, and the patient anticipation of reaching home. Lines like “I take a look at the driver next to me, he’s just the same” create a feeling of shared community among travelers. This relatable narrative is why the song has become a staple for playlists and singalongs during the seasonal rush. The lyrics focus on the journey’s quiet moments, making it a poignant rather than a purely festive choice for karaoke.
joy denalane, rea garvey, esther graf driving home for christmas
The story behind these lyrics adds to their authenticity. Chris Rea penned them during a real, frustrating trip home for the holidays in the late Seventies. Stuck in snow with his wife, he began jotting down lines joking about their situation whenever streetlights lit the car’s interior. This real-life origin grounds the song in a genuine emotion that listeners can feel. The lyrics were not crafted as a commercial hit but from a personal moment, which explains their enduring and understated power.
For fans learning the words for karaoke or a family singalong, the song’s structure is welcoming. The chorus is simple and repetitive, building a familiar and easy-to-remember hook. The verses paint clear images of red lights, freeways, and memories, allowing singers to easily connect with the story. The song’s growth from an obscure B-side to a holiday essential proves how well its lyrical message connects. When people sing “Driving Home For Christmas,” they tap into a decades-old tradition of holiday travel, making the lyrics a timeless part of the seasonal soundtrack.
Produced by Abaz
October 28, 2025
1 song, 4 minutes
℗ 2025 Sony Music Entertainment Germany
Lyrics
I′m drivin’ home for Christmas
Oh, I can′t wait to see those faces
I’m drivin’ home for Christmas, yeah
Well, I′m movin′ down that line
And it’s been so long
But I will be there
I sing this song
To pass the time away
Drivin′ in my car, I’m drivin′ home for Christmas
It’s gonna take some time, but I′ll get there
Top to toe in tailbacks
Oh, I got red lights all around
But soon there’ll be a freeway, yeah
Get my feet on holy ground
(on holy ground)
So I sing for you
Though you can’t hear me
When I get through
Oh, I feel you near me
I′m drivin′ in my car,
I’m drivin′ home for Christmas
I’m drivin′ home for Christmas
With a thousand memories
I take look at the driver next to me
He’s just the same
He′s just the same
Top to toe in tailbacks
Oh, I got red lights all around
I’m drivin’ home for Christmas, yeah
Get my feet on holy ground
So I sing for you
Though you can′t hear me
When I get through
Oh, I feel you near me
Drivin′ in my car,
drivin’ home for Christmas
I′m drivin’ home for Christmas
With a thousand memories
Mm, I take look at the driver next to me
He′s just the same
He’s just the same
He′s drivin’ home, drivin’ home
He′s drivin′ home for Christmas (for Christmas)
Ooh, I got red lights all around
I’m drivin′ home, hm-mh
