Researchers from webuyanycar have revealed a list of the nation’s favourite Christmas songs to listen to in the car, with Chris Rea’s classic – and appropriately titled – Driving Home for Christmas, in the number one spot with almost half (47 percent) of the vote.

Fairytale of New York by the Pogues was second with an equally impressive 46 percent. In third place was Wizzard’s, I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day with 39 percent.

Driving Home For Christmas was released 36 years ago in 1986 as a b-side to his song “Hello Friend”. It was then released in 1988 as an attempt at the Christmas charts but only reached number 53. However it has slowly grown in popularity and since 2007 it’s made a reappearance in the Top 40 at Christmas, with the song reaching its peak chart position in 2021, at number ten in the UK Singles Chart.

Also on the list of festive tunes we like to listen to while on the move was Last Christmas (38 percent), All I want for Christmas by Mariah Carey (37 percent) and Bing Crosbie’s, It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas (32 percent).

The survey also discovered that the average British motorist will drive 185 miles over the Christmas period, to see friends and family.

92 percent of respondents agreed that despite traffic jams and potential bad weather there is no better feeling than driving home for the Christmas break.

Music is a vital part of our festivities with 85 percent of people agreeing that it doesn’t feel like Christmas until they’ve heard a classic anthem.

Psychologically the tracks take us back to our early years, with 90 percent saying that they’re transported back to childhood by hearing some of the songs.

Richard Evans, Head of Technical Services at webuyanycar, which conducted the research said: “This poll shows how much we think about music at Christmas, particularly on that much anticipated drive home for the festive season listening to our favourite Christmas songs.

Webuyanycar has pulled together the ultimate festive playlist based on the results to make that long-awaited car journey even better. And while we can’t bring Christmas around any quicker, we can help you sell your car – or sleigh – with speed so you can upgrade to something bigger, newer or more efficient to transport all the gifts, food and family around across the festive period.”

When it comes to when you can start listening to your favourite Christmas tracks, there’s a split in the nation with 48 percent saying it is okay to play them in November while 52 percent believe you must hold on until December.

Many more people are in favour of Christmas songs in shops – with 87 percent saying they enjoy hearing them when out and about.

A growing proportion make their own Christmas playlists with 33 percent saying they plan their listening, however that still leaves two thirds who hear the tunes on the radio – or playlists made automatically by streaming services.

Seven in ten people do agree that at the end of Christmas they’re pleased they won’t have to hear a festive song for another year.

BRITAIN’ FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS CAR TUNES

Driving Home For Christmas – Chris Rea 47%
Fairytale of New York – The Pogues 46%
I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday – Wizzard 39%
Last Christmas – Wham! 38%
All I Want For Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey 37%
It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas – Bing Crosby 32%
Do They Know It’s Christmas? – Band Aid 20 31%
White Christmas – Bing Crosby 26%
Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree – Brenda Lee 22%
Step Into Christmas – Elton John 21%
Merry Christmas Everyone – Shakin’ Stevens 21%
It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year – Andy Williams 20%
Silent Night – Bing Crosby 20%
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town – The Jackson 5 19%
Happy Xmas (War Is Over) – John Lennon and Yoko Ono 17%
Stay Another Day – East 17 16%
Mary’s Boy Child/ Oh My Lord – Boney M 14%
Santa Baby – Eartha Kitt 14%
Feliz Navidad – Jose Feliciano 13%
Wonderful Christmastime – Paul McCartney 13%
Walking In The Air – Aled Jones 13%
2000 Miles – The Pretenders 12%
Mistletoe and Wine – Cliff Richard 12%
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus – The Jackson 5 12%
One More Sleep – Leona Lewis 12%