What makes that weird ufo-like sound during the chorus?
The theremin.
A theramin.
I always thought it was a theramin (or some 60’s version of that device).
(Or rather the Electro-Theremin, forgive me.)
Actually, it’s a popular misconception that the noise is made by a theramin. In fact, an actual UFO flew through the studio while the chorus was being recorded.
Shhhhhh!!! You aren’t supposed to tell anyone! Now I’ll have to report you and everyone who reads this thread to the agency!
fnord
Ah, it’s a 1960s style death theramin.
To enjoy other music featuring the Theremin…
Listen to, Lothar and the Hand People
And after all that, it’s not a Theremin at all, but a Tannerin.
To enjoy your sanity, you may want to avoid that recommendation. Unless, of course, you’re able to sit in a comfortable chair, relax and climb aboard a starship of stone.
Rent the film Theremin – An Electronic Odyssey (1994):
It covers not only the history of the instrument and its inventor (They tracked him down and filmed him just before he died), it also shows clips of films where the Theremin appeared and interviews Brian Wilson about how he came to obtain a Theremin and use it (He built his own!)
Great flick.
was the theremin also used in Rio, by Duran Duran?
By the by, the “UFO sound” in old sci fi movies was in fact a theremin.
Just for 20 minutes… oh, nevermind.
I have a Theramin, FWIW. I play it, poorly, but it’s fun. I have an old guitar effects box (can’t remember what it’s called, a Roland something) that really makes it a more versatile instrument. It just sounds like a UFO without the effects.
Btw, on seeing the OP, one of my initial reactions was “You aren’t going to be getting any good vibrations with a Dead Battery” 