# Songs played on non-instrument objects **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 17, 2026, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-played-on-non-instrument-objects/1026766 "2026-01-17T05:14:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2026, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-played-on-non-instrument-objects/1026766/1 "2026-01-17T05:14:48Z")
What are some tunes played on objects that aren’t generally considered to be musical instruments? An example is The Typewriter by Leroy Anderson. Typewriters are not a usual part of an orchestra. But in this tune the sounds of the clicking of the keys, the sliding of the carriage and the bell all form part of the composition. Gotta love Liberace’s performance [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ANaL80AsKVM/hqdefault.jpg "Liberace Typewriter Song") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANaL80AsKVM) Leader of the Pack features the revs of a real motorcycle. [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Q8UKf65NOzM/hqdefault.jpg "The Shangri-Las -Leader Of The Pack Video with High Quality Sound") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8UKf65NOzM) The 1812 overture features real gunpowder explosions. Any others? Note - I don’t want examples such as people [playing a saw like a cello](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/3-2wWp1UBiY). That would only count if the composer specifically intended the piece to be played on saws. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2026, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-played-on-non-instrument-objects/1026766/2 "2026-01-17T05:29:16Z")
More cow bell. ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2026, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-played-on-non-instrument-objects/1026766/3 "2026-01-17T05:38:14Z")
The Klangphonics “Under Pressure” [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/teTiW4zUktY/maxresdefault.jpg "Pressure Washer vs Techno") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teTiW4zUktY) ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2026, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-played-on-non-instrument-objects/1026766/4 "2026-01-17T05:42:04Z")
Mal Evan’s plays anvil on “Maxwell Silver Hammer” [![](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSO5LYEy6kBUZbhaa2WsMRZUeGdUnvI9A6UptnhBNxDxw&s=10) ](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSO5LYEy6kBUZbhaa2WsMRZUeGdUnvI9A6UptnhBNxDxw&s=10) ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2026, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-played-on-non-instrument-objects/1026766/5 "2026-01-17T05:43:28Z")
[![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/QF0PYQ8IOL4/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCOADEOgC8quKqQMa8AEB-AHAA4AC6AKKAgwIABABGGUgZShlMA8=&rs=AOn4CLBRjYla6tsywYu_npK2falWTPqd2g "Frank Zappa teaches Steve Allen to play The Bicycle (1963)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QF0PYQ8IOL4) ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2026, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-played-on-non-instrument-objects/1026766/6 "2026-01-17T05:48:48Z")
The opening of Pink Floyd’s “Money” uses money-related sounds for the initial rhythm: a cash register, jingling change, an adding machine, and tearing paper (assumed to be paper currency). ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2026, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-played-on-non-instrument-objects/1026766/7 "2026-01-17T06:10:19Z")
They loved that song so much that they just couldn’t stop playing it /s ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2026, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-played-on-non-instrument-objects/1026766/8 "2026-01-17T06:11:36Z")
[Musical road - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musical_road#:~:text=In%202021%2C%20Argentina%20installed%20a,entire%20width%20of%20the%20road.) ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2026, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-played-on-non-instrument-objects/1026766/9 "2026-01-17T06:14:21Z")
Here’s a video of the Mound City Blue Blowers, with Red McKenzie playing a can while Josh Billings does percussion using whisk brooms and a suitcase: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/ihcyptu3GW8/maxresdefault.jpg "The Mound City Blue Blowers 1929") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihcyptu3GW8) ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2026, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-played-on-non-instrument-objects/1026766/10 "2026-01-17T06:17:19Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > a cash register, jingling change, an adding machine, and tearing paper (assumed to be paper currency Isn’t it supposed to be a paper receipt? ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2026, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-played-on-non-instrument-objects/1026766/11 "2026-01-17T06:17:37Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Isn’t it supposed to be a paper receipt? Could be that, too. _shrug_ ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2026, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-played-on-non-instrument-objects/1026766/12 "2026-01-17T06:21:07Z")
Oh…@Spoons, where are you? Also my grandson can fart 3 or 4 notes of chopsticks, surprisingly well. If that applies. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2026, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-played-on-non-instrument-objects/1026766/13 "2026-01-17T06:21:52Z")
Right here, @Beckdawrek . 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2026, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-played-on-non-instrument-objects/1026766/14 "2026-01-17T06:22:57Z")
I knew you’d be on this. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2026, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-played-on-non-instrument-objects/1026766/15 "2026-01-17T06:24:16Z")
Just watching for now. I cannot think of a single song, though. I did get a nice set of Oneida stainless soup spoons today, though. Looking forward to trying them out. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2026, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-played-on-non-instrument-objects/1026766/16 "2026-01-17T06:29:40Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > Musical road - Wikipedia > [@Jeff\_Lichtman](#): > > Here’s a video of the Mound City Blue Blowers, with Red McKenzie playing a can while Josh Billings does percussion using whisk brooms and a suitcase: Interesting in their way, but just to remind you it isn’t quite what I’m after. The Typewriter was always intended to be played on a real typewriter. The “under pressure” song above was always intended to be played on a pressure washer (I presume). But the writer of La Cucaracha never imagined it to be played on a musical road. Nor did the creator of “I ain’t got nobody” specifically intend it to be played on whisk brooms and a can. (At least I don’t think he did). See the difference between them? ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2026, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-played-on-non-instrument-objects/1026766/17 "2026-01-17T07:22:57Z")
In Electric Light Orchestra’s “[Mr. Blue Sky](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQUlA8Hcv4s),” at the end of each verse and chorus, there is a series of four “clang” sounds. It’s not a cowbell, or any traditional percussion instrument: it’s drummer Bev Bevan striking the fire extinguisher behind his drumkit with a drumstick. ---
**Author:** ![guero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guero/32/136_2.png) [@guero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guero)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2026, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-played-on-non-instrument-objects/1026766/18 "2026-01-17T07:25:29Z")
Gershwin’s _An American in Paris_ uses a French taxi horn, and the third movement of Respighi’s _Pines of Rome_ uses a recording of a nightingale. (Depending on your definition of musical instrument, that may not fit the criteria of the OP.) ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2026, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-played-on-non-instrument-objects/1026766/19 "2026-01-17T07:32:44Z")
> [@guero](#): > > Gershwin’s _An American in Paris_ uses a French taxi horn Similarly, Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass’s _[Tijuana Taxi](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbbsFzPObLk)_ features a bicycle horn. And, agreed, I’m not sure if the OP considers vehicle horns as musical instruments or not. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2026, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-played-on-non-instrument-objects/1026766/20 "2026-01-17T08:13:45Z")
“Memphis” by Kitten repeats each verse twice, each repeated time being played in part over the sound of a dial-up modem handshake. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-played-on-non-instrument-objects/1026766.md?page=2)