Lifestyle

Driving Home For Christmas: The Ultimate Christmas Car Playlist

Will you be driving home for Christmas this year? If so, the chances are you’ll get stuck in the typical traffic caused by busier roads and wintery conditions. But fear not, it’s Christmas! And that means a sack-full of festive tunes to get you through the journey home.

Tis’ the season to be jolly and all that. So we’ve put together the perfect soundtrack for your drive home this Christmas…

The Playlist

1. LAST CHRISTMAS – WHAM

Ah, Last Christmas. This song is always on everybody’s list of favourite Christmas tunes, as it has been ever since its 1984 release. The song reached No. 2 in the charts, making it a particularly Happy Christmas for George Michael who was also involved in the No. 1 single “Do They Know it’s Christmas?” by Band Aid.

2. ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU – MARIAH CAREY

She doesn’t want a lot for Christmas, doesn’t care about presents underneath the Christmas tree, and Santa Claus doesn’t make her happy. Yet, Mariah Carey still managed to produce a massive Christmas hit that has gotten people in the mood for the festive period every year for the last two decades.

3. MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE – SHAKIN’ STEVENS

Everyone loves a bit of cheesy music at Christmas. That’s why we had to add Shakin’ Stevens to the list.

At least if you’re only listening to this song on the drive home then you’ll be spared the “Dad” dancing and that dreadful Christmas jumper from the video. It’s a great Christmas song though, and if this one doesn’t cheer you up in the horrible Christmas time traffic, then nothing will.

4. FAIRYTALE OF NEW YORK – THE POGUES

Although it’s lyrically darker than most Christmas hits, “Fairytale of New York” tops many people’s favourite Christmas songs list because it offers something different to the abundance of saccharine tunes.

The Shane McGowan and Kirsty MacColl duet perfectly combines sad melodic sounds with an upbeat Christmassy chorus to tell a tragic, yet hopeful, tale that beautifully captures the Christmas spirit. A great choice for a good ol’ sing-song in the car!

5. STOP THE CAVALRY – JONA LEWIE

Jona Lewie originally intended this to be a popular protest song. But with the line “Wish I was at home for Christmas”, the large brass arrangements and the melodic bell ringing, it’s no surprise that “Stop the Cavalry” became a huge Christmas hit that will get you bobbing along all the way home.

6. THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY / PEACE ON EARTH – DAVID BOWIE & BING CROSBY

Christmas songs don’t always have to be loud and jolly to get you in the mood. Some of the most recognisable ones are the more gentle ballads such as this famous, and unlikely, duet by David Bowie and Bing Crosby. And this year seems more appropriate than ever to bring a little Bowie magic to your Christmas.

7. IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS – MICHAEL BUBLÉ

Michael Bublé has turned into something of a Christmas symbol in recent years. So we’ve chosen his cover of this classic Christmas song which is always a nice one to play as you’re driving through brightly lit streets covered in Christmas decorations and snow.

Okay, maybe not snow, but we can dream.

8. MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY – SLADE

Popular with children and the all-nighters at the office Christmas party, this anthem by Slade proves Glam Rock and Christmas can work together in perfect harmony.

Just get ready to scream the obligatory “IT’S CHRISTMAAAS” at the end.

9. ROCKIN’ AROUND A CHRISTMAS TREE – BRENDA LEE

It’s the song that’s gets people on the dance floor at Christmas parties but Brenda Lee first brought Rock’n’Roll to Christmas in 1958. Since then, it’s been covered over and over again and features in many Christmas films such as one famous scene in Home Alone (1990).

Although you’d never believe it from her voice, Brenda Lee was only 13 years old when she recorded this song.

10. WONDERFUL CHRISTMASTIME – PAUL MCCARTNEY

Paul McCartney’s foray into the Christmas song market has been played every Christmas for over 35 years. It’s almost as if he knows how to write catchy songs that stand the test of time.

The result is a really infectious Christmas tune with a touch of Beatles charm about it.

11. WHITE CHRISTMAS – BING CROSBY

Every year we dream of a white Christmas in Britain, and then it rains. But that won’t stop us dreaming again next year.

This makes “White Christmas” by Bing Crosby even more appropriate for a Christmas driving soundtrack. With an estimated 50 million copies sold worldwide, Bing Crosby’s rendition of “White Christmas” is the best-selling single of all time.

12. DRIVING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS – CHRIS REA

Although it didn’t make a huge impact on the UK charts during its 1988 release, “Driving Home for Christmas” by Chris Rea has become a real Christmas feature in recent years, which was cemented by a peak chart position of 29 in 2015.

As the name suggests, this is the perfect soundtrack for making that final trip home before Christmas. And if Chris Rea can be positive about being stuck in a traffic jam, then so can you!