Chris Rea: Song by Song
Chris Rea: Song by Song traces the singer and guitarist’s career from his 1978 debut through his 1980s success, blues reinvention and the gradual rise of “Driving Home for Christmas”. The listing describes a 160-page English-language book with colour and black-and-white illustrations.
At a glance
- Covers Chris Rea’s career from his 1978 debut album through his later blues-focused chapter.
- The listing says the book includes 18 colour and 14 black-and-white illustrations.
- The narrative also touches on Rea’s European dance music work, acting role and the history of “Driving Home for Christmas”.
- Written by Jamie Hailstone, identified in the listing as an author and journalist.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Its career-spanning focus goes beyond Rea’s best-known Christmas song to cover his albums, blues work and other career turns.
- The stated mix of colour and black-and-white illustrations adds visual material alongside the 160-page text.
Technical specifications
8 specifications| Publisher | Fonthill Media |
|---|---|
| Publication date | 30 January 2026 |
| Language | English |
| Print length | 160 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 1781559406 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1781559406 |
| Weight listed | 404 g |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 16.03 x 2.24 x 23.62 cm |
What to know before buying
- The description presents a broad career overview, but does not specify a track-by-track contents list or the level of detail given to each album.
Who is it for?
A good fit for
- Chris Rea listeners seeking a concise career overview with illustration.
- Readers interested in the background to “Driving Home for Christmas” and Rea’s shift towards blues.
Less suited to
- Buyers looking for a detailed discography or a confirmed song-by-song breakdown, as the supplied listing does not establish that level of coverage.
Customer reviews on Amazon
- 5 stars
64% 64% - 4 stars
11% 11% - 3 stars
10% 10% - 2 stars
15% 15% - 1 star
0% 0%
Aggregate ratings lean favourable, with most ratings in the five-star category, but a smaller share of two-star ratings indicates some less positive experiences as well. These ratings do not explain what readers liked or disliked, so they cannot establish whether the book’s career overview or illustrations meet a particular reader’s expectations.
Frequently asked questions
What parts of Chris Rea’s career does the book cover?
The listing says it follows his career from his 1978 debut through his 1980s success and later blues chapter, and discusses his dance music work, acting and “Driving Home for Christmas”.
How long is Chris Rea: Song by Song?
The listed print length is 160 pages.
Does the book include illustrations?
Yes. The listing describes 18 colour and 14 black-and-white illustrations.
Who wrote the book?
The description identifies Jamie Hailstone as the author.
