How to persuade radio stations to play your song

Legendary record producer Joe Meek had a trick up his sleeve when he worked with the Tornados on their 1966 record "Is That A Ship I Hear?"

"It was constructed around a gimmick. Meek hoped the title and the ocean effects would convince DJs on the pirate stations - Radio Caroline, Radio London, Radio City et al - to put his new record on heavy rotation. Just when the pirates' influence on the British charts was at its height, it seemed a good angle."

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