Appropriate audio noises and sound effects have long been created for all kinds of entertainment 

and they also enhanced a slew of pop and rock hits over the years. Effects were sometimes created

 in the studio, often using primitive methods. Songwriters/producers Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller came up 

with the idea of banging two blocks of wood together to sound like gunshots for the track SHE WANTS TO ROCK

by The Flairs featuring Richard Berry (who wrote the song), issued on Flair in ’53.  

Jerry & Mike often used other noises to illustrate and accompany the fun songs they recorded with 

The Robins and The Coasters while certain other producers brazenly used existing sound effects

 records to enhance their 45’s!  

During his early days as an engineer at Atlantic, Tom Dowd created the sound effect of splashing water 

for the opening of Bobby Darin’s 1958 hit SPLISH SPLASH by swiveling his hand in a cup of water.

In later years, sound effects became more sophisticated with actual recordings of tweeting birds, 

ocean waves and thunderstorms integrated to create the right atmosphere to accompany romantic ballads. 

When it came to their landmark “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” album, the Beatles 

along with producer George Martin were particularly adventurous in their use of a range of effects

 of animals, crowd noises and even a swirling fairground organ.

One of my collecting obsessions was to make lists of pop and rock 45’s which utilized sound effects 

such as the rollercoaster sounds in PALISADES PARK by Freddy Cannon, 

the clinking milk bottles in UNE NUIT A PARIS by 10cc or the shattering glass in

 WHAT’S NEW PUSSYCAT by Tom Jones. 

I thought that from time to time, I’d share some of my favorites 

with you beginning this time with car-related records. 

Remember, these are just a few examples. 

Included are a handful of YouTube audio links of the actual records.

For starters, here are a group of examples of the use of the sound of gas-driven cars starting up: 

AUTOBAHN

 by Kraftwerk 

(Vertigo: 1974)

 https://youtu.be/gChOifUJZMc 

BUCKET ‘T’ 

by Jan & Dean 

(Liberty: 1964)

 https://youtu.be/GUPPz1he3sQ , 

DRIVING IN MY CAR 

by Madness 

(UK Stiff: 1982)

 https://youtu.be/faP-B_gEElE

 GET OUTTA MY DREAMS, GET INTO MY CAR 

by Billy Ocean

 (Jive: 1988)

 https://youtu.be/zNgcYGgtf8M 

MERCEDES BOY 

by Pebbles 

(MCA: 1988)

SHE DRIVES ME WILD

 by Michael Jackson 

(Epic: 1991).

Among my most-played instrumentals was 

STICK SHIFT by The Duals 

(Star Revue/Sue: 1961) 

https://youtu.be/XBCFM5rUfuI 

which, in addition to its fast take-off effect, 

also contains a cool sound of screeching tires. 

I also single out HOT ROD 

by Lou Berry & The Bel Raves

 (Dreem: 1959)

 https://youtu.be/CehvMGSt6fY 

because, in addition to its start up, revving up and squealing tires, 

it ended with an  ultimate crash effect.

Three other vintage singles which included audio effects of disastrous collisions were :

DEAD MAN’S CURVE 

by Jan & Dean 

(Liberty: 1964)

 https://youtu.be/S1Cuekbklkg,

the tasteless I WANT MY BABY BACK

 by Jimmy Cross 

(Tollie: 1964) 

and the novelty 45: TRANSFUSION

 by Nervous Norvus 

(Dot: 1956) https://youtu.be/HbhvZ2y1V80. 

In addition, the reggae track 

AL CAPONE 

by Prince Buster

 (UK Blue Beat: 1965)

 opened not only with a car crash 

but also gunfire and burning rubber!