Unimaginable story behind ‘Driving House for Christmas’ as singer Chris Rea dies aged 74

Following the heartbreaking information that singer Chris Rea has handed away on the age of 74, individuals are remembering the story behind his beloved festive tune ‘Driving House for Christmas’.

A household spokesperson mentioned the musician from Middlesbrough had handed away following ‘a brief sickness’.

“It’s with immense disappointment that we announce the dying of our beloved Chris,” an announcement from the household added.

“He handed away peacefully in hospital earlier at present following a brief sickness, surrounded by his household.”

Rea rose to fame within the 70s and 80s following his debut album No matter Occurred To Benny Santini?.

The 1978 document featured observe ‘Idiot (If You Assume It’s Over)’ which ended up being nominated for a Grammy.

Two of his studio albums The Highway To Hell (1989) and Auberge (1991) additionally went to primary within the UK.

Surprisingly, Rea’s hottest tune ‘Driving House for Christmas’ was a flop when it got here out in 1986.

The tune was written 10 years earlier than it was launched

The well-known tune, which options on this 12 months’s M&S Meals Christmas advert, was written 10 years earlier than it was launched, reports Easy Radio.

His spouse drove all the best way to London’s Abbey Highway Studios to take him again house to Middlesbrough in 1978 as a result of his document firm on the time wasn’t prepared to however him a practice ticket.

Whereas he was caught in site visitors, Rea mentioned he ‘began singing ‘We’re driving house for Christmas…’ after which began to write down down the lyrics with the assistance of road lighting that shone into the automobile.

It was meant for Van Morrison

Rea has truly written the observe for Northern Irish singer Van Morrison, however couldn’t get it to him.

Then after testing out the backing observe with keyboard participant Max Middleton, he realised that the Christmas carol-style instrumental suited the lyrics.

‘Driving House For Christmas’ was a flop

After two years of it being out, ‘Driving House For Christmas’ solely acquired to 53 within the charts.

However because the years glided by, the tune grew in recognition, re-entering the charts in 2007, and peaking at eleventh place, as of 2023.

He hated performing the tune

One time he was ‘badgered’ into performing the tune on the Hammersmith Odeon, recalling: “I went, ‘If I’m going to sing this f**king tune, we’re gonna do it correctly.’ So we employed 12 snow cannons. We put three ft of synthetic snow within the stalls. The venue charged me £12,000 to scrub it up.”

There wasn’t a correct video till 2009

Funnily sufficient, there wasn’t a correct music video till 2009, and so Rea determined to get some massive title celebs on board like Martin Shaw, Gail Porter, Jimmy Greaves, Matt Di Angelo and Lionel Blair for charity.

“I wished to do one thing particular this Christmas and what higher manner than to assist hold a roof over individuals’s heads after they want it most – at Christmas. By teaming up with Shelter we will hopefully make a distinction,” he added.

The likes of Stacey Solomon, Tony Hadley, Gavin James, Michael Ball and Joe McElderry have coated the tune through the years.