![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/35\/590x\/secondary\/5112864.jpg?r=1702462828204\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The ultimate Christmas driving song has been revealed \u2013 and it’s NOT \u201cDriving Home For Christmas\u201d. Chris Rea’s 1986 hit was beaten to the top spot by the late Shane MacGowan, and his band The Pogues’ 1988 single, \u201cFairytale of New York\u201d, performed with Kirsty MacColl.<\/p>\n
The vote, by 2,000 motorists, put \u201cLast Christmas\u201d by Wham! in third spot, followed by \u201cI Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday\u201d, by Wizzard.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo They Know It\u2019s Christmas?\u201d by Band Aid, and \u201cIt\u2019s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas\u201d, by Perry Como and The Fontane Sisters, also made the top 30 list, while other festive favourites include \u201cMary\u2019s Boy Child\u201d, by Boney M, and \u201cIn Dulci Jubilo\u201d, by Mike Oldfield.<\/p>\n
It also emerged 22 percent will sing along to festive hits when driving home for Christmas this year \u2013 although 27 percent have received complaints about their crooning.<\/p>\n
The study was commissioned by \u0160koda to highlight the Canton sound system in the all-electric Enyaq, which can mute music for back seat passengers.<\/p>\n
Music psychology lecturer at University of York, Mimi O\u2019Neill, said: \u201cMusic has the ability to elicit nostalgia, as it can evoke a strong connection between sound and memory.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn particular, Christmas songs often carry sentimental associations with cherished holiday moments, contributing to a nostalgic allure.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe popularity of this list’s top three songs, \u201cFairytale of New York\u201d, \u201cLast Christmas\u201d, and \u201cI Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday\u201d, as driving songs during the Christmas season, are unsurprising.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/35\/590x\/secondary\/5112868.jpg?r=1702462828311\")
<\/p>\n
\u201cThey exhibit well-crafted and catchy melodies that resonate with a broad audience, providing a musically engaging experience conducive to driving.<\/p>\n
\u201cAdditionally, their lyrics encapsulate the essence of the holiday season, evoking emotions and themes associated with Christmas \u2013 such as love, celebration, and the festive spirit.\u201d<\/p>\n
The research also found a quarter of those polled (26 percent) will be driving more than 200 miles \u201chome\u201d this Christmas, with five percent driving for eight hours or more.<\/p>\n
And 54 percent claim to enjoy driving over the festive period, with 30 percent considering a Christmas playlist \u201cessential\u201d during such trips \u2013 more so than a windscreen scraper, and a phone charger.<\/p>\n
Other songs on the ultimate driving playlist include \u201cStep into Christmas\u201d, by Elton John, and \u201cLet it Snow\u201d, by Dean Martin.<\/p>\n
\u201cRockin’ Around the Christmas Tree\u201d, by Brenda Lee, also features, as do \u201cStay Another Day\u201d by East 17, and \u201cChristmas Wrapping\u201d by The Waitresses.<\/p>\n
And despite Bing Crosby\u2019s \u201cWhite Christmas\u201d being among the most popular seasonal driving tracks, only 31 percent have experienced snowfall on a Yuletide journey.<\/p>\n
Those polled, via OnePoll, also had their say on the ingredients for a bonafide classic festive hit \u2013 with a catchy chorus (44 percent), festive lyrics (35 percent), and a nostalgic element (33 percent), considered some of the must-haves.<\/p>\n
And eight in 10 (79 percent), of those who listen to music, claim they have sung along to Christmas songs \u2013 and, on average, they know the lyrics word-for-word for three such tunes.<\/p>\n