New Jingles for BBC Radio 2

It’s 6:25am on Monday 16th July. Chris Evans is in Studio 6C at BBC Radio 2 getting ready to start his Breakfast Show as he has done on many occasions. However on this occasion he’s launching BBC Radio 2’s the first major set of jingles in 15 years. Commissioning Editor Robert Gallacher and I have been working with production company Wise Buddah over the last 2 months creating them and now we’re standing in the studio waiting like a pair of expectant fathers.

The funny thing about jingles on BBC Radio 2 is how many people know them. Listeners regularly send in their own versions featuring themselves, or their children, singing along. Radio 2’s jingles are incredibly familiar to many people, which was a particular challenge when we set out to refresh them.

When deciding on the sound we wanted to create for BBC Radio 2, we wanted to include the musical talent already presenting on the network. We were very lucky that Clare Teal, Paul Jones and Huey Morgan agreed to work with us. We were also thrilled when the amazing BBC Concert Orchestra, the London Community Gospel Choir, Beverley Knight, Craig Blundell, Robbie McIntosh and so many other great musicians also agreed.

Making jingles for BBC Radio 2 is a complex process. Although many are only about 10 seconds long, they are played next to highly produced songs, orchestras and live concerts. This means they have to be produced to the same high standards. In addition the package of jingles has to cover the entire breadth of programming on Radio 2. This means we’ve made jingles for all aspects of the network; from Friday Night is Music Night to Dave Pearce Dance Years, religious programmes to Pop Master.

For each jingle Robert and I briefed composers Jem Godfrey and Ollie Melville Smith on its duration, its style and what lyrics were to be sung. Jem and Ollie came back with a demo which we discussed and made any necessary changes. Even after we’ve agreed all the rough versions it’s not until you hear the BBC Concert Orchestra actually play the new news or Pop Master jingles, for example, you really hear how great it sounds.

Recording with the guys from the London Community Gospel Choir was a lot of fun. We recorded the new Chris Evans jingles at their studio in Walthamstow. Seeing them up-close was very impressive. The way they harmonise, the notes they reach and the energy they deliver is astounding. This is fortunate as the Breakfast Show jingles have to match Chris’s incredible energy.

Back in Studio 6C Moira Stuart’s reaching the end of the news. Chris then hits the button. The London Community Gospel choir jingle strikes-up and the new sound begins. The delivery is complete and it’s on the air for the nation to hear. I’m not sure how long it’ll be before we do this again. 15 years? We’ll have to see. In the meanwhile, we hope you like them.

Links: 

• Earshot Creative Review, July 2012: Steve Martin talks to Chris Reay about the new jingles project
• BBC Media Centre: New jingles for Radio 2
• Radio Today: Radio 2's new jingles