Exploring the work of the late, great Chris Rea: Song by Song

Chris Rea: Song by Song is published by Fonthill Media at £22 and is available from Amazon and other online retailers, plus can also be ordered from all good bookshops

Jamie, aged 52, said: “The book has been a long-time coming. I met Chris about 20 years ago when I interviewed him for a music magazine and he was one of the most fascinating people I’ve ever spoken to.

“Normally when you sit down with an artist who has sold more than 30 million albums, there is a certain amount of ego to deal with, but not Chris. He was incredibly humble and kept saying how he never considered himself to be rock star and whenever I would mention a hit song or album of his, he just seemed to wince.

“We did not talk about Driving Home For Christmas, which was by that point his best-known song, but afterwards I kept thinking about how there was much more to him than a seasonal hit. His debut album had been produced by Gus Dudgeon, who oversaw hits for David Bowie, Elton John and Joan Armatrading. Rea was also nominated for the 1979 Grammy award for best newcomer, alongside Elvis Costello, The Cars and Toto. They all lost to a disco funk band called A Taste of Honey.

“After many years in the commercial wilderness, Rea was on the point of giving up when he released his fifth album. Water Sign became a hit in Ireland. He then took to the road and built his career from scratch, gigging all over Europe, before eventually finding success in the UK in the later 1980s with hits like On The Beach, Let’s Dance and The Road To Hell.

“Along the way, he also had a rather unlikely hit on the European dance scene with a rave version of his song Josephine. Rea also starred in Michael Winner’s last film, Parting Shots, which critics claimed was so bad it ‘set the course of British film-making back 20 years.’

“He also battled with major health issues, including pancreatic cancer. In 2001 he survived major surgery, which left him diabetic. Afterwards, Rea had a musical epiphany and in 2002 released an album of original blues music, Dancing Down The Stony Road on his own independent label. He continued to break new boundaries, including his 2005 boxset Blue Guitars, which comprised 11 original albums.

“Sadly, my book was finished just weeks before Rea passed away in December 2025, but I hope it is a fitting tribute to the man and his music. It contains a guide to all the albums he released and the stories behind many of his biggest songs.”

Jamie added: “Most of my books relate to the BBC television programme Doctor Who. I’ve written audiobooks and short stories set in the world of Doctor Who, which have been published by Big Finish and Candy Jar Books. I’ve also written numerous magazine articles on the show for the Doctor Who Appreciation Society and I am the author of Doctor Who – The David Tennant Years. An Episode Guide (Sonic Bond 2000).

“My career as a journalist started at the Shoreham Herald back in 2001. After leaving in 2005, I spent a decade working in Westminster as a political reporter. I was also a music critic for Classic Rock magazine; Blues Matters and Maverick Country Magazine. I’ve met a wide range of rock stars, including Brian May, Joe Bonamassa and Francis Rossi of Status Quo fame. I currently contribute to Forbes on all matters related to climate change and sustainability.”