Play list for commercial radio stations on the occasion of a royal/nationally important death?

[WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll]

Apologies if this is a bit morbid. My interest is in the actual songs than the occasion itself.

Apparently, every commercial radio station in the country has a blue 'obit light' (that's tested every week), which will be suddenly lit when a royal death occurs. This is their signal to immediately switch to a playlist of songs that are sombre and considered befitting of such an occasion. Reportedly, there are two centrally approved lists referred to as 'Mood 2' (very sad songs) and 'Mood 1' (the saddest songs of all).

Only one of the songs on one of the lists has been publicly named - Haunted Dancehall (Nursery Remix) by Sabres of Paradise - and I'm bizarrely curious about which other songs are on those lists.

Are there any DJs/presenters out there, or anybody else in the know, who can shed any light on which songs actually make the list? And for the majority of us who have no insider knowledge whatsoever, which songs would others put on the lists, if it were up to them?

Again, this isn't a 'do you like the royals or not' thread, nor am I after speculation about the next royal death. I just really want to know what songs are on those lists or, otherwise, which songs MN would deem worthy of the lists!

When Diana died I used to listen to Steve Jackson's morning glory, with Streetboy, on kiss. Normally they'd have background music when they were talking, they'd be taking the piss etc. When I put it on they were just talking with no background music, very serious, they said what had happened and I didn't believe it until I went downstairs and saw it on the tv. I don't remember if they played any music.

I agree that they'd have to pull the adverts, but that would surely have a massive impact on the revenues and viability of a small-ish commercial station - as well as probably making things difficult for small firms who rely on the advertising to get custom.

I seem to recall that Sky suspended all advertising for a very long time after 9/11, but they can afford to do that, I suppose.

I agree with the above on not liking being expected to mourn a famous stranger. Diana's loved ones and close friends will obviously have been deeply impacted by her death, but I never knew or met her. I was at the funeral of one of my loved ones yesterday. Other than a tiny announcement we put in the local paper, no public or private media organisations made any mention of it or any changes in the light of her passing; and there were very few of us there - but that affected me and my emotions far more than a stranger's loved one's death.

I suppose, in a way, it potentially blurs the lines between who the radio stations are actually for: we like to think that they're primarily for the listeners' benefit and that we are the focus, but it does make you feel on occasions like this that they're there to prescribe what we should be listening to and how we should be feeling rather than reflecting what we actually want to hear.

@JamieLeesCurtains

Haunted Dancehall (Nursery Remix) by Sabres of Paradise

I've never heard of this.

Indeed, I can't see that going down well on R3 or Classic FM!

I thought Sabres Of Paradise was Andy Weatherall?
I don't know the song, but most of the bands he was involved with weren't particularly funereal.

When I worked at Asda (seasonal work as a uni student) I went to work as it opened the morning after Princess Diana had died. I had been at a party the night before and had waited a long time for a taxi home, so it had been the early hours and the taxi driver was listening to the news about the accident. Anyway, I turned up for work the next day and apparently the people in charge of the music weren't aware. A cheery jingle and the familiar "Asda FM!"... It practically screeched to a halt a few minutes later and there was silence. Then 2 or 3 hours later, sad songs "Unforgettable", "Careless Whisper" etc.

I suspect "The Queen is Dead " by The Smiths might pop up at some point

There was a long guardian feature about the protocol in 2017. I can't link on app but Google for "London bridge is down" media response to royal death

I watched an episode of the Crown recently and (according to that) all the royals had bridge names , the Queens was London Bridge. It was in a conversation after prince Charles was caught in an avalanche and there was some news/media code for a "bridge down" or something similar.

I suspect "The Queen is Dead " by The Smiths might pop up at some point

It certainly would feature high on the playlist at the internal radio station for the workers at the Ronseal factory

I watched an episode of the Crown recently and (according to that) all the royals had bridge names

What's the betting that Andrew's is the Bridge Cafe where the losing team go after the task on The Apprentice?

I suppose, in a way, it potentially blurs the lines between who the radio stations are actually for: we like to think that they're primarily for the listeners' benefit and that we are the focus, but it does make you feel on occasions like this that they're there to prescribe what we should be listening to and how we should be feeling rather than reflecting what we actually want to hear.

This is true. Also I suspect they wouldn't want to be inundated with complaints from dimwits moaning that they played 'Celebrate' by Kool and the Gang or something on a day when everyone is 'supposed' to be in morning.

Mourning, not morning.

I'm guessing it may vary by station and circumstances, if it is a gradual decline and Charles is already regent it isn't the same as sudden death. I'm guessing the lesser list might be for philip. I was in charge of the plans at work and on the regional committee, it's been in place for many years.

I recall from a number of years ago David Dimbleby rather publicly making it known that he wanted to 'get the gig' for the BBC as head announcer/commentator when the Queen died, rather than somebody like Huw Edwards or John Humphreys being assigned it.

As well as it being in spectacularly poor taste raising/arguing about it so openly, the royals tend to be very long-lived and he is only 12 years younger than she is, so there are no guarantees at all that he'd still be around at the time.

Hi

I work in commercial radio and to answer your questions

Every Radio station will revert for several days to somber music that fits with each station so Kiss for example lots of ambient chill music, Heart Whitney George etc

No adverts or jingles and much toned down on presentation and social media

The new king if it is Queen will speak to the nation at some point after the death is announced

Funeral 10 days after death and expect your favourite station to sound very different

BBC Radio 12345 will all Carry same output