# Songs that utilize sound effects **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 3, 2011, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-utilize-sound-effects/595023 "2011-09-03T02:54:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![installLSC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/54ee81/32.png) [@installLSC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/installLSC)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2011, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-utilize-sound-effects/595023/41 "2011-09-04T01:38:49Z")
Pink Floyd, who is clearly the champ of sound effects based on this thread, used a soccer crowd singing “You’ll Never Walk Alone” at the end of “Fearless”. Chicago’s “Someday” (on their debut) features protest chants taped at the 1968 Democratic Convention. Stevie Wonder’s “Living In The City” features a long sequence where a man is framed for a crime with street sounds in the backround. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2011, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-utilize-sound-effects/595023/42 "2011-09-04T01:59:46Z")
Sting’s “Fortress Around Your Heart” starts with what sounds like a muffled explosion. On the same LP, in “Russians,” there’s a clock ticking. ---
**Author:** ![42fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/4/b487fb/32.png) [@42fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/42fish)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2011, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-utilize-sound-effects/595023/43 "2011-09-04T02:03:48Z")
“I Love the Sounds of Breaking Glass,” Nick Lowe: Breaking Glass “European Son,” The Velvet Underground: Breaking Glass “Go To The Mirror,” The Who: Breaking Glass “Been Caught Stealing,” Jane’s Addiction: Dogs “Suburbia,” Pet Shop Boys: Dogs “Indiana Wants Me,” R. Dean Taylor: Police Siren, Gunfire “The Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde,” Georgie Fame: Gunfire “In The Rain,” The Dramatics: Rain “9 to 5,” Dolly Parton: Typewriter “Don’t Call Us, We’ll Call You,” Sugarloaf: Push-Button Phone ---
**Author:** ![Alley\_Dweller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alley_dweller/32/430_2.png) [@Alley\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alley_Dweller)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2011, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-utilize-sound-effects/595023/44 "2011-09-04T02:18:57Z")
[This City Never Sleeps](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQNxoqsJD5k) by Eurythmics (subway sounds). ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2011, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-utilize-sound-effects/595023/45 "2011-09-04T02:43:26Z")
The screeching tires/crash/weird scream in “Dead Man’s Curve” can be heard in several other songs. ---
**Author:** ![cjepson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9adbd/32.png) [@cjepson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cjepson)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2011, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-utilize-sound-effects/595023/46 "2011-09-06T17:20:16Z")
The Rolling Stones’ “[We Love You](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrBMu-jhzIo)” starts with dragging chains and the slamming of a jail cell door. The Soul Survivors’ "[Expressway to Your Heart"](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQpTEaPFHXQ) uses traffic sounds. Martin Denny’s “Exotica” records are full of jungle sound effects; a prime example is “[Quiet Village](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDr01eVrHIQ)”. “[Sky Pilot](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_VJoDOdJH0)” by Eric Burdon & the Animals has an interlude of war sounds. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2011, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-utilize-sound-effects/595023/47 "2011-09-06T17:40:52Z")
Meat Loaf’s “Paradise by the Dashboard Light” has Phil Rizzuto’s running baseball commentary, with ther background noises by composer Jim Steinman ---
**Author:** ![Quercus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7ab992/32.png) [@Quercus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2011, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-utilize-sound-effects/595023/48 "2011-09-06T18:18:38Z")
> [@clnilsen](#): > > “Rock the Casbah” by The clash has, what I believe are, sound effects from a PAC MAN game watch. Also the elevator bell on _London Calling_’s “Koka Kola”. Plus nearly the entire _Sandanista!_ album. Speaking of elevator bells (ooh, look, I’m hijacking an elevator!) when Nanci Griffith plays “Love at the Five and Dime”, the guitar part has a little isolated high note. She explains it’s supposed to be the sound of the elevator bell in the Woolworths where the (first verse) of the song is set. Which is kind of the opposite of the OP, but, hey, I’ve got hostages in this elevator so it’s going where I say. Should we just pre-emptively assume that all of rap/hip-hop qualifies so we don’t have to list individual tracks? ---
**Author:** ![MegaBee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f0a364/32.png) [@MegaBee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MegaBee)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2011, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-utilize-sound-effects/595023/49 "2011-09-06T18:35:33Z")
“Several Species of Small Furry Animals Gathered Together in a Cave and Grooving with a Pict” by Pink Floyd is self-explanatory. ---
**Author:** ![Steken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@Steken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steken)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2011, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-utilize-sound-effects/595023/50 "2011-09-06T19:00:54Z")
Plenty of bands in the industrial and ambient genres of music make songs using _nothing but_ sound effects, or “found sounds.” ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2011, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-utilize-sound-effects/595023/51 "2011-09-06T19:03:53Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > “ **Summer in the City** ”, by Lovin’ Spoonful. SE: Car horns. “Summer in the City” also uses a jackhammer sound effect. > [@42fish](#): > > “Don’t Call Us, We’ll Call You,” Sugarloaf: Push-Button Phone Man, I love that song! Weird Al’s “Christmas at Ground Zero” uses an explosion sound effect (note: the song is not about _that_ Ground Zero. It’s about Christmas after nuclear annihilation.) ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2011, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-utilize-sound-effects/595023/52 "2011-09-06T19:11:52Z")
[“The Lumberjack”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A52p9jc-gOo) by Jackyl has a chainsaw solo. ---
**Author:** ![cjepson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9adbd/32.png) [@cjepson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cjepson)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2011, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-utilize-sound-effects/595023/53 "2011-09-06T19:14:56Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > [Leader of the Pack](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syckLQQBShc), The Shangri-Las > > Also, [Remember](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtnC2U9pxJc&feature=fvst), same group. Seagulls, ocean. And, of course, “[Leader of the Laundromat](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4dEuqKAgn8)” by the Detergents. (DARN IT!!!) 'Chain Gang" by Sam Cooke – hammer on chisel “[Mule Train](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qanSuc74Lk)” by Frankie Laine – whip cracks. (The link is to a version of Jerry Van Dyke’s sketch based on it.) “Sleigh Ride” – whips, neighing, sleigh bells, hoofs. “On the Trail” (from Grofe’s “Grand Canyon Suite”) – mule hoofs. “Telstar” by the Tornados – space-age satellite-y sound effects. “Cupid” by Sam Cooke – I realized only recently that there’s an arrow-whizzing sound effect in the chorus. “Mother” by John Lennon – Big Ben or some other bell. “Chain Saw” by the Ramones – chain saw. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2011, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-utilize-sound-effects/595023/54 "2011-09-06T19:14:57Z")
“Planet Claire” by the B-52’s uses sounds from a walkie-talkie. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2011, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-utilize-sound-effects/595023/55 "2011-09-06T22:53:52Z")
“Blockbuster” by The Sweet opens with a police siren. Nervous Norvus’ “Transfusion” repeatedly uses a car’s screeching brakes followed by the sound of a crash. ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2011, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-utilize-sound-effects/595023/56 "2011-09-07T04:45:17Z")
The “boing” sound is used in “We Put the Spring in Springfield” (Simpsons cast) and “Heroes and Villains” (Brian Wilson). ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2011, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-utilize-sound-effects/595023/57 "2011-09-07T05:24:13Z")
Todd Rundgren’s song _[Onomatopoeia](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSPQfz_Tyd8)_ is all sound effects: > [@](#): > > Onomatopoeia every time I see ya > My senses tell me hubba > And I just can’t disagree > > I get a feeling in my heart that I can’t describe > It’s sort of lub, dub, lub, dub > A sound in my head that I can’t describe > It’s sort of zoom, zip, hiccup, drip > Ding, dong, crunch, crack, bark, meow, whinnie, quack Most of Kate Bush’s songs have some non-instrument sounds - she was a pioneer with the Fairlight sampler. ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2011, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-utilize-sound-effects/595023/58 "2011-09-07T06:00:07Z")
There’s a few songs by Kraftwerk that fit the bill. “Autobahn” starts with the sound of a car starting up and some honking. There are a lot of bicycle effects on Tour de France as well. ---
**Author:** ![Howls](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a8b319/32.png) [@Howls](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Howls)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2017, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-utilize-sound-effects/595023/59 "2017-07-02T18:20:23Z")
Daydream Believer - The Monkees Alarm clock ---
**Author:** ![buddha\_david](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee7513/32.png) [@buddha\_david](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buddha_david)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2017, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-utilize-sound-effects/595023/60 "2017-07-02T19:00:58Z")
Weird Al Yankovic “Mr. Frump in the Iron Lung” (iron lung) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-utilize-sound-effects/595023.md?page=2)