Learn How To Play "Driving Home For Christmas" 🚗 🎁

For many of us, it's not Christmas without this song.

This song was released back in 1986. It's still part of Christmas traditions to play this in the car when driving to family & friends for the Holidays!

This song is not too difficult - but it does involve some tricky Barre chords in there! This will be perfect practice for Grade 4+ intermediate guitar players.

There are a few different ways of playing the verses. Some easy, some more complex. I'll show you different variations. :)

Grab that guitar & let's spread some Xmas joy! :)

How To Play Driving Home For Christmas Guitar

You can play this Christmas classic in many different ways! Don't be afraid to keep it simple - it'll still sound great! :)

To get started with this song, you'll need to play A Major seventh to a D major seventh. Those are the strongest bits if you listen to the piano part of the original recording. It sounds lovely on the guitar!

For the chorus, you're mainly playing all barre chords - so make sure you're ace with those! There's no going around them. :)

💡 Struggling with your Barre Chords? Don't worry - I got you! Check out my lesson on A Guide To Easy Barre Chords to help you nail them.

Driving Home From Christmas Strumming

You'll play a down, up quickly followed by a palm mute pattern throughout the song. Use the outside of the palm to do the mute!

Leep that same kind of rhythm pattern going throughout the song. It almost gives more of a reggae style to it. Explore and add your style to your playing if you like.

Keep it simple if you want! Just make sure you have a consistent & continuous rhythm.

Driving Home From Christmas Guitar Bridge

If you're up for a challenge, follow this chord progression play the extra bridge bit!

This part is more tricky & optional. Write them down if you need to. :)

Driving Home From Christmas Bridge Chords

B minor

C sharp minor

D

E

F sharp minor

Then, you head back down on your guitar neck with:

E

D

C sharp minor

G

E minor

Lots of chords, eh? Ease into it if you need to, and work on chord transition between the ones you find tricker! Check out the close-up in the video for extra help. :) And that wraps up this Chris Rae song lesson - wishing you a wonderful, happy and safe Christmas. :)

Want chords, tabs, and lyrics to follow along with my song tutorials? Check out JustinGuitar Tabs!