Driving Home For Christmas - Sheet Music for Guitar Chords/Lyrics Chris Rea

Anyone looking to accompany this Christmas classic by Chris Rea around the campfire or in the living room will find exactly the right lead sheet here. It includes the complete lyrics with chord symbols — upbeat and ready to play immediately, no music-reading skills required.

"Driving Home For Christmas" with Chords – Lyrics and Chords for Guitar, Piano and Vocals

"Driving Home For Christmas" is one of the most enduring Christmas songs in pop history. Chris Rea wrote and released the track in 1988 on the album "New Light Through Old Windows". Since then, the song has returned to the charts every year and ranks among the most-played Christmas titles in several European countries. It combines the anticipation of the holiday season with a catchy, lightly swinging groove in a shuffle feel. The song works just as well in an intimate setting as it does at a school concert or band rehearsal — anywhere people gather to sing and make music together.

The lead sheet includes the complete lyrics with chord symbols placed directly above the corresponding syllables. Chord diagrams are not included. Since no barre chords appear and the chord vocabulary is manageable, this sheet is particularly well suited for beginners with around two years of playing experience. The song is written in the original key of G major, which allows for open, finger-friendly chord shapes. Getting started is straightforward, with the focus firmly on the lyrics and musical flow.

A gentle fingerpicked arpeggio or a simple alternating strum pattern in shuffle rhythm works beautifully here, reinforcing the rolling, journey-like character of the song. One common stumbling block is the change from G to Em7 in the verse — it's worth practising this transition in isolation until it flows smoothly. Work through the chord changes without any strumming pattern first, until they feel secure — then add the rhythmic element. If you'd like to adjust the key to suit your voice, simply place a capo on the appropriate fret and play the familiar G major chord shapes.

The lead sheet is available for immediate download after purchase, is 100% licensed, and can be printed directly or used on a tablet.

Editorially reviewed by the notendownload.com team

All Arrangements for "Driving Home For Christmas"