Fairytale of New York tops list of best Christmas driving songs, study finds
Festive Brits have shared some of the favourite Christmas tunes they plan to listen to as they drive home for the holidays this year – but Chris Rea did not make the top spot.
The singer's aptly-named 1986 track, “Driving Home For Christmas”, was bumped down to the number two spot on the top 30 list – behind “Fairytale of New York”, following the recent passing of The Pogues' frontman, Shane MacGowan.
Meanwhile, other seasonal songs that Brits plan to belt out from behind the wheel include Wham's “Last Christmas”, “I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday” by Wizzard, and the 1984 Christmas number 1 hit, “Do They Know It's Christmas?”, by Band Aid.
“Merry Xmas Everybody”, by Slade, and Elton John's “Step Into Christmas”, also ranked among the top 10 festive driving tracks.
And the list comes as a poll of 2,000 motorists found that 22% will sing along to such festive favourites while driving home for the big day this year – with three in 10 claiming a Christmas playlist is “essential” during such journeys.
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The research was commissioned by Škoda to highlight the Canton sound system in the all-electric Enyaq, which can mute music for back seat passengers.
Brits will travel an average of 200 miles to get 'home' this Christmas - with one in 20 driving for eight hours or more (Škoda Auto)Music psychology lecturer at University of York, Mimi O’Neill, said: “Music has the ability to elicit nostalgia, as it can evoke a strong connection between sound and memory.
“When individuals interact with music, it activates neural networks connected to emotions and memory retrieval, prompting the resurgence of both memories, and the feelings attached to them.
“In particular, Christmas songs often carry sentimental associations with cherished holiday moments, contributing to a nostalgic allure.
“The popularity of this list's top three songs, “Fairytale of New York”, “Last Christmas”, and “I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday”, as driving songs during the Christmas season, are unsurprising.
“They exhibit well-crafted and catchy melodies that resonate with a broad audience, providing a musically engaging experience conducive to driving.
“Additionally, their lyrics encapsulate the essence of the holiday season, evoking emotions and themes associated with Christmas – such as love, celebration, and the festive spirit.”
As a result, three in 10 think a Christmas playlist is 'essential', and over a fifth will sing along to festive tunes on their journey (Škoda Auto)The research also found a quarter of those polled (26%) will be driving more than 200 miles “home” this Christmas, with 5% driving for eight hours or more. Luckily, 54% claim to enjoy driving over the festive period.
But when it comes to the essentials for a winter road trip, a Christmas playlist is deemed more important than having a windscreen scraper, or a phone charger.
Other songs on the ultimate driving playlist include “Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree”, by Brenda Lee, “Stay Another Day” by East 17, and “Christmas Wrapping”, by The Waitresses.
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And despite Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas”, and “Let it Snow”, by Dean Martin, being among the most popular seasonal driving tracks, only 31% have experienced snowfall on a Yuletide journey.
Those polled, via OnePoll, also had their say on the ingredients for a bonafide classic festive hit – with a catchy chorus (44%), festive lyrics (35%), and a nostalgic element (33%), considered some of the must-haves.
And eight in 10 (79%), of those who listen to music, claim they have sung along to Christmas songs – and, on average, they know the lyrics word-for-word for three such tunes. However, 27% also admit they have received complaints about their Christmas crooning.
TOP 30 CHRISTMAS DRIVING SONGS:
- Fairytale Of New York, by The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl
- Driving Home For Christmas, by Chris Rea
- Last Christmas, by Wham!
- I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday, by Wizzard
- Merry Xmas Everybody, by Slade
- Do They Know It's Christmas?, by Band Aid
- All I Want For Christmas Is You, by Mariah Carey
- Step Into Christmas, by Elton John
- Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, by Bruce Springsteen
- It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year, by Andy Williams
- Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree, by Brenda Lee
- Stay Another Day, by East 17
- White Christmas, by Bing Crosby
- Mary's Boy Child, by Boney M
- Happy Xmas (War Is Over), by John Lennon and Yoko Ono
- It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas, by Perry Como and The Fontane Sisters
- Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!, by Dean Martin
- Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy, by Bing Crosby and David Bowie
- Wonderful Christmastime, by Paul McCartney
- Feliz Navidad, by José Feliciano
- Winter Wonderland, by Michael Bublé
- Lonely This Christmas, by Mud
- Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, by Frank Sinatra
- Christmas Time (Don't Let The Bells End), by The Darkness
- Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, by Jackson Five
- Christmas Wrapping, by The Waitresses
- Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, by Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters
- In Dulci Jubilo, by Mike Oldfield
- Jingle Bell Rock, by Bobby Helms
- Santa Baby, by Eartha Kitt
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