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Sailing By





CONTEXT AND USAGE


''Sailing By'' is played every night on . Its tune is repetitive, assisting in its role of serving as a signal for Sailors tuning in to be able to easily identify the radio station. It also functions as a buffer - depending on when the final programme before closedown finishes, ''Sailing By'' (or part of it) is played as a 'filler' as the shipping forecast starts at 00:48hrs precisely.


POPULARITY


Besides its intended function, ''Sailing By'' is thought of affectionately by many British radio listeners as it is considered a soothing accompaniment to bedtime. Surprisingly, the lead singer of the Britpop band Pulp , Jarvis Cocker chose ''Sailing By'' as one of his Desert Island Discs , saying for many years he had used it "as an aid to restful sleep".

The piece featured as the second track on a single recorded by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia in a quest to save the '' Radio 4 UK Theme ''. In 1993 there was a similar reaction by BBC listeners when ''Sailing By'' was temporarily taken off the air.


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