Chris Rea

blues rock, electric blues, pop rock, soft rock

United Kingdom

"A steady groove underlines soulful melodies marked by bluesy guitar riffs, creating space for contemplative lyrics that linger in the air."

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Begin with Chris Rea…

Auberge

1991

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Career Arc

Chris Rea's discography from 1978 to 2019

1978 1998 2019

Whatever Happened to Benn... (1978) Fool (1978) Deltics (1979) Tennis (1980) Chris Rea (1982) Water Sign (1983) Wired to the Moon (1984) Shamrock Diaries (1985) Josephine (1985) On the Beach (1986) The Christmas EP (1986) Hello Friend / Driving Ho... (1986) Dancing with Strangers (1987) Let's Dance (1987) New Light Through Old Win... (1988) On the Beach (1988) The Road to Hell (1989) Working on It (1989) The Road to Hell (1990) Auberge (1991)

Chris Rea matters for his ability to blend the raw emotion of blues with a storytelling style that resonates deeply, creating a soundscape where personal narrative meets universal experience.

Chris Rea matters for his ability to blend the raw emotion of blues with a storytelling style that resonates deeply, creating a soundscape where personal narrative meets universal experience. His work stands as a bridge between the visceral and the accessible, drawing listeners into a world where longing and resilience coexist, ultimately shaping a distinctive space in popular music that feels both intimate and expansive. Rea's approach is marked by his distinct guitar work and rich baritone voice, which evoke a sense of weathered wisdom. He often utilizes a restrained yet purposeful delivery, allowing each note and phrase to breathe within the context of the song. This intentionality gives his music a grounded quality, inviting listeners to linger on each moment rather than rush through it. Lyrically, Rea frequently navigates themes of heartache, travel, and introspection, using vivid imagery and relatable narratives to paint emotional landscapes. His storytelling leans towards sincerity, offering glimpses into his experiences while encouraging reflection on the listener's own life journey. The tone balances melancholy with hopefulness, crafting songs that resonate on multiple levels.

Full discography

Chris Rea's albums in order, from earliest releases to latest.

43 releases • 34 albums • 2 EPS • 1978–2019

Discography may be incomplete (35 of ~37 albums indexed)

Type:

Albums ()

One Fine Day

2019

Road Songs for Lovers

2017

Santo Spirito Blues

2011

The Journey 1978-2009

2011

Still So Far to Go: The Best of Chris Rea

2009

The Return of the Fabulous Hofner Bluenotes

2008

Chris Rea: The Ultimate Collection 1978–2000

2007

The Road to Hell and Back

2006

Blue Guitars

2005

Heartbeats – Chris Rea's Greatest Hits

2005

The Blue Jukebox

2004

Hofner Blue Notes

2004

Blue Street

2003

Dancing Down the Stony Road

2002

The Very Best of Chris Rea

2001

King of the Beach

2000

The Road to Hell: Part 2

1999

The Blue Cafe

1998

La Passione

1996

The Best of Chris Rea

1994

Espresso Logic

1993

God's Great Banana Skin

1992

Auberge

1991

The Road to Hell

1989

New Light Through Old Windows

1988

Dancing with Strangers

1987

On the Beach

1986

Shamrock Diaries

1985

Wired to the Moon

1984

Water Sign

1983

Chris Rea

1982

Tennis

1980

Deltics

1979

Whatever Happened to Benny Santini?

1978

EPs ()

Winter Song

1991

The Christmas EP

1986

Singles ()

The Road to Hell

1990

Working on It

1989

On the Beach

1988

Let's Dance

1987

Hello Friend / Driving Home for Christmas

1986

Josephine

1985

Fool

1978

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Timeline

How their sound evolved over time

Whatever Happened to... (1978)

Wired to the Moon (1984)

Shamrock Diaries (1985)

On the Beach (1986)

The Christmas EP (1986)

Dancing with Strange... (1987)

New Light Through Ol... (1988)

The Road to Hell (1989)

Auberge (1991)

Winter Song (1991)

God's Great Banana S... (1992)

Espresso Logic (1993)

The Best of Chris Re... (1994)

La Passione (1996)

The Blue Cafe (1998)

The Road to Hell: Pa... (1999)

King of the Beach (2000)

The Very Best of Chr... (2001)

Dancing Down the Sto... (2002)

Blue Street (2003)

Hofner Blue Notes (2004)

The Blue Jukebox (2004)

Heartbeats – Chris R... (2005)

Blue Guitars (2005)

The Road to Hell and... (2006)

Chris Rea: The Ultimate Collection 1978–2000

Chris Rea: The Ultim... (2007)

The Return of the Fabulous Hofner Bluenotes

The Return of the Fa... (2008)

Still So Far to Go: The Best of Chris Rea

Still So Far to Go:... (2009)

Santo Spirito Blues (2011)

The Journey 1978-200... (2011)

Road Songs for Lover... (2017)

One Fine Day (2019)

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Chris Rea sound like?

A steady groove underlines soulful melodies marked by bluesy guitar riffs, creating space for contemplative lyrics that linger in the air. Rooted in pop rock and blues rock. Start with Auberge.

What is the best Chris Rea album to start with?

The best album to start with is "Auberge" (1991). It's the most representative of what makes Chris Rea worth hearing.

Who is Chris Rea for?

If you're into pop rock and blues rock, Chris Rea is worth your time. A steady groove underlines soulful melodies marked by bluesy guitar riffs, creating space for contemplative lyrics that linger in the air.

How many albums does Chris Rea have?

Chris Rea has 43 releases in their discography, including 34 albums and 2 EPs.

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