Driving Home For Christmas
Every year, thousands of people take to the roads for a Christmassy drive back home
To see relatives, or if they’re lucky, to the airport for a festive break. And,by UK law (it’s official) listening to anything other than Christmas music during these drives is very illegal indeed. Luckily, around this time, most radio stations will be playing nothing but Christmas crackers, but if you fancy collating your own playlist — or avoiding the ads — we’ve rounded up the best tunes to drive home to.
Spotify’s top 10 Christmas songs of all time:
- Mariah Carey - All I Want for Christmas Is You
- Wham! - Last Christmas
- Ariana Grande - Santa Tell Me
- Michael Bublé - It's Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas
- Brenda Lee - Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree
- Bobby Helms - Jingle Bell Rock
- Andy Williams - It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
- Justin Bieber - Mistletoe
- Sia - Snowman
- Band Aid - Do They Know It's Christmas?
All I Want For Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey (1994)
This one’s capable of turning a single person in a car into a full-on party. Make sure you keep at least one hand on the wheel while your other simultaneously plays the keyboard and conducts a full-on steering wheel drum solo. Don’t worry about overplaying it either, Mariah never gets old.
Last Christmas - Wham! (1984)
Loved and loathed in equal measure, we couldn’t leave George Michael’s crowning glory off this list. Made more moving by Michael’s sad passing on Christmas Day 2016. Perfect for a spot of in-car karaoke and not in the least bit depressing.
Santa Tell Me - Ariana Grande (2014)
Get ready to jingle all the way with this festive and catchy Christmas hit. This modern Christmas anthem delivers a perfect blend of Ariana's incredible vocals, uplifting melodies, and relatable lyrics that capture the excitement and uncertainty of love during the holiday season.
It's Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas - Michael Bublé (2012)
For a lot of those who spend Christmas away from home, the drive is often when the festive feeling really sets in. Yearning for the ‘holly that will be on your own front door’ is a proper allegory for those of us who don’t bother decorating, knowing our parents will have done a far better job, too. And though this song has been covered many times, the Michael Bublé version is an all-round favourite.
Brenda Lee - Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree (1964)
Get ready to jive and jingle with the iconic holiday tune "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" by the legendary Brenda Lee! This festive gem has been a staple during the holiday season for decades, and it's easy to see why. From the moment the upbeat melody kicks in, you'll find yourself tapping your feet and swaying to the contagious rhythm.
Bobby Helms - Jingle Bell Rock (1957)
Get ready to jingle all the way with the festive and energetic "Jingle Bell Rock" by Bobby Helms! This beloved holiday classic will have you up on your feet and dancing in no time. From the iconic opening guitar riff to Bobby's smooth vocals, every note will fill the room with joy and merriment. "Jingle Bell Rock" is a fun and catchy tune that captures the essence of the holiday season.
Andy Williams - It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year (1963)
Get ready to immerse yourself in the magic and joy of the holiday season with the timeless classic, "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" by the legendary Andy Williams. This iconic song has become an essential part of the holiday soundtrack, filling hearts with warmth and sparking a feeling of pure bliss.
Mistletoe - Justin Bieber (2011)
Mistletoe captures the essence of the holiday season, reminding us of the joy and romance that comes with this special time of year. It's the perfect tune to dance to under the mistletoe with that special someone or simply to bring a smile to your face during the festivities. Get ready to be wrapped in a warm, cozy embrace of holiday cheer with this timeless Christmas classic.
Snowman - Sia (2018)
Get ready to be enchanted by the whimsical and heartfelt holiday song, "Snowman" by the incredibly talented Sia. This enchanting track captures the essence of the holiday season with its heartfelt lyrics and unique sound. Sia's mesmerizing vocals bring the lyrics to life as she creates a beautifully emotional connection to the idea of a snowman that melts when touched by warmth.
Do They Know It’s Christmas? — Band Aid (1984)
Everyone knows the Band Aid story — a supergroup put together by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, and consisting of plenty of the UK’s most popular musicians, it raised over £8 million for charitable causes in Africa within 12 months of release. In other words, don’t illegally download it. It enjoyed a resurgence after a star turn on sitcom ‘Gavin and Stacey’, where Smithy sang it in his battered Volvo estate, and remains one of the few Christmas songs everybody knows the words to.