The Road to Hell Part 2

Zoo Freaks, let’s dive into the gritty vibes of “The Road to Hell Part 2” by Chris Rea, spinning now at THE ZOO from his seminal album The Road to Hell! This track’s inspiration came from a maddening traffic jam on London’s M25, but it’s more than a road rage anthem. In a 2017 Songfacts interview, Rea shared that the song critiques modern life’s distractions—people glued to phones or car screens, mindlessly cruising on an “upwardly mobile freeway” to nowhere. Its dark, bluesy edge reflects the late ‘80s economic crash, with lyrics warning of a world where rivers “boil with every poison,” capturing societal decay with a raw, haunting energy that Zoo Freaks are sure to feel.

The making of “The Road to Hell Part 2” was a battle for Rea. His label balked at the moody, gospel-tinged intro of Part 1, calling it “too boring” for radio, as noted in a Wikipedia entry. Rea insisted on keeping the song’s two-part structure, but the label split them, and Part 2’s driving rhythm and slide guitar made it a UK Top 10 hit. Recorded at Miraval Studios in France, the song’s eerie vibe stems from a surreal moment Rea described: stuck in traffic with helicopters buzzing, he imagined his late mother’s ghost warning him, inspiring the chilling line, “Son, what are you doing here?/My fear for you has turned me in my grave.” Fans on Rate Your Music rave about its cinematic production, calling it a “timeless” blend of rock and blues.

Chris Rea, born March 4, 1951, in Middlesbrough, England, didn’t start his musical journey until his late teens, when he picked up a guitar inspired by Joe Walsh and Ry Cooder. Before fame, he worked odd jobs, from manual labor to helping in his family’s ice cream business, as detailed in his Lyrics.com bio. His 1978 single “Fool (If You Think It’s Over)” broke him into the US charts, paving the way for 13 UK Top 40 hits. By 1989, The Road to Hell became his biggest success, hitting No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart and earning 6× Platinum status by 2004, per Wikipedia. Rea’s persistence shone through when he recorded Auberge as a backup due to label doubts about The Road to Hell, as he told Dig!.

Zoo Freaks can stay connected with Rea’s legacy through his official website for tour updates and music news. Follow him on his official Facebook page or Instagram for behind-the-scenes glimpses. His X account is less active but worth checking for occasional updates. Fans can also join the vibrant Chris Rea Fan Club on Facebook to swap stories and celebrate his music. For more fan-driven content, check out chris-rea.de, a dedicated fan site with discographies and news.