A COLLABORATIVE POST WITH Boom Box Post
Written by Tim Vindigni
If you’re anything like me, music can be a useful tool to help keep you motivated and focused during times like these. Since the Safer At Home rule was introduced, I have been listening to A LOT of music while working from home. Not only has it improved my overall mood during quarantine, but I find I stay more productive throughout the day with some tunes on in the background. Yes, I like to use the term tunes.
So for today’s post, with input from the Boom Box Post Team and my parents, I have put together a playlist of songs that utilize sound effects in their production. My hope is that this list will lift your spirits and bring some fun to your day. Who knows, maybe you’ll even be inspired to create your own playlist! So get ready, because this playlist is a mess—I mean, journey :)
The Playlist:
1.
Thriller - Michael Jackson
I mean come on...it’s ‘Thriller’! Name a song with a more iconic opening.
2.
Cold Wind Blows - Eminem
Alright this may be the most NSFW song on the list, so you’ve been warned. But since we are all quarantined at home, feel free to blast this as loud as you want! The sound effect that landed this song on the playlist comes in at 2:48.
3.
Paper Planes - M.I.A.
A true classic when it comes to the use of SFXs in music. The effects added to the production of this song give it a whole new life. I couldn’t imagine hearing this without the gunshot and cash register effects during the chorus. On another note, I still can’t believe this song was allowed to be played at my middle school dances. Might I add that they took place in the basement of a church!
4.
Waking Up In Vegas - Katy Perry
This fun bop opens with the sound of a slot machine.
5.
Money - Pink Floyd
I mean Katy did wrap up the pervious song with the lyrics, “Deal me some cash out baby.” So I thought it would only be appropriate to queue this song next. Also, this one opens in a very similar way to ‘Waking Up In Vegas’. Maybe Katy was paying homage to this Pink Floyd?
6.
You May Be Right - Billy Joel
This song is known for its opening SFX. As the first song on Billy’s Glass House album, the sound effect reflects the albums artwork in which Billy is shown throwing a rock at a large glass window.
7.
New Born - HYUKOH
This one is a bit of a mystery. The outro on this song is so intense that it is hard to pinpoint exactly what is going on. I believe I am correct in saying that there are engine revs layered up in this outro, but if I’m wrong and this is all achieved with instrumentation then they fooled me!
8.
Watch - Billie Eilish
“I’ll sit and watch your car burn with the fire that you started in me.” These lyrics are accompanied by the switching sound of a lighter. Beautifully simply, yet brilliant.
9.
Make Me (Cry) - Noah Cyrus
Ok this might be my favorite on the list simply because of the SFX. Instead of singing the word ‘cry’, as noted in the title of the song, Noah’s vocal is replaced by the sound of a water drip. When I first heard this song, I honestly couldn’t stop laughing at the placement/choice of SFX. Now, it’s one of the main reasons why I listen to the song.
10.
Hung Up - Madonna
Another iconic song. This song utilizes the ticking of a clock to reflect the lyrics being sung: “Time goes by so slowly.”
11.
Telephone - Lady Gaga feat. Beyoncé
As someone who was constantly compared to the previous artist on our list in the early stages of her career, I thought it would be fitting to follow up Madonna with one of Lady Gaga’s most popular hits. This song made the playlist because it is filled with practically every SFX you can think of associated with a telephone.
12.
Yellow Submarine - The Beatles
To round everything out, I had to throw in a Beatles song. This one in particular is overpowered by ambience sound effects. From ocean waves to ship crew walla, this song has it all!