Yes indeed, here’s another dip into my ever-growing list of sound effects utilized
in vintage pop and rock recordings. Bells and audio ringing sounds have turned up to illustrate and/or benefit a wide array of performances.
What follows is not an ultimate list
but rather some of the examples I remember.
Let’s start with a beloved Hollywood musical sequence from MGM’s 1944 film
“Meet Me In St. Louis” in which Judy Garland
sang Hugh Martin & Ralph Blane’s
THE TROLLEY SONG;
the chorus opens with the clanging of a streetcar
followed by the chiming of the trolley bell:
Bells were used to set an idyllic scene in
A BEAUTIFUL MORNING
by The Rascals
(Atlantic: 1968)
and in CHURCH BELLS MAY RING
by The Willows
(Melba: 1956)
they suggested a reason for celebration.
Over the years, bells or pseudo-bell effects were also
inserted into seasonal and holiday favorites as in
THE BELLS OF ST. MARY’S
by Bing Crosby
on Decca in 1945.
In the UK, British percussionist Jimmy Blades released
CHRISTMAS CHIMES and on BBC radio beginning in the 1950’s,
an afternoon children’s program“Listen With Mother”
opened each episode with a brief chimes melody.
Maybe the most celebrated use of a variety of bells and chimes
was in the revolutionary TUBULAR BELLS by multi-instrumentalist
Mike Oldfield on Virgin in 1973. Its opening theme
was famously featured on the soundtrack of the
1973 horror film “The Exorcist”.
Foreboding tolling bells have often been used
to great and chilling effect in rock projects as in:
BLACK SABBATH
by Black Sabbath
(Warner Bros: 1970)
HELLS BELLS
by AC/DC
(Atlantic: 1980)
FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS
by Metallica
(Megaforce/Elektra: 1984)
HALLOWED BE THY NAME
by Iron Maiden
(Harvest: 1982)
MOTHER
by John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band
(Apple: 1970)
Bells also tolled in certain Halloween-themed 45’s such as:
DEAD MAN’S STROLL
by The Revels
(Norgolde: 1959)
and even on Peter Sellers’ mock documentary
BALHAM-GATEWAY TO THE SOUTH
(UK Parlophone: 1958)
Chiming bells have been effectively
included in such oldies as:
COCKTAILS FOR TWO
by Spike Jones & His City Slickers
(Victor: 1945)
DING-DONG
by The Echoes
(Gee: 1957)
KA-DING-DONG
by The Diamonds
(Mercury: 1956)
LIGHT A CANDLE IN THE CHAPEL
by The Solitaires
(Old Town: 1959)
https://youtu.be/CW3uoWVeKoA .
Bells also jingled in both
ROCK AND ROLL BELLS
by Louis Jones & His Band
(Peacock: 1956)
and THE BELLS ARE RINGING
by The Van Dykes
(King: 1958).
Ship’s bells have been used for
nautically-themed hit singles namely:
SHIP OF LOVE
by The Nutmegs
(Herald: 1955)
CAPTAIN OF YOUR SHIP
by Reparata & The Delrons
(Mala: 1968)
And also the rock ‘n’ roll classic
SEA CRUISE
by Frankie Ford
(Ace: 1959)
Meanwhile back on dry land,
bicycle bells were audible in:
BICYCLE RACE
by Queen
(Elektra: 1978)
and also UNE NUIT A PARIS
by 10cc
(Mercury: 1975).
Domestic uses of bells cover a whole range.
For example, you could hear doorbells in:
FAKIN’ IT
by Simon & Garfunkel
(Columbia: 1961)
I’M GONNA KNOCK ON YOUR DOOR
by Eddie Hodges
(Cadence: 1961)
and LET ‘EM IN
by Paul McCartney & Wings.
(Capitol: 1976).
In addition, there was a door chime in
STARTING ALL OVER AGAIN
by Mel & Tim
on Stax in ’72
Alarm clocks rang in
ALARM CLOCK BOOGIE
by Billy Briggs
(Imperial: 1951)
A DAY IN THE LIFE
by The Beatles
(Capitol: 1967)
and MR. SLATER’S PARROT
by The Bonzo Dog Band
(Imperial: 1968)
Telephone bells & associated noises turned up in a host of 45’s.
You could hear phones ringing in
CALL ME UP
by Process & The Doo Rags
(Columbia: 1987)
CALL OPERATOR 210
by Johnny Otis & His Orchestra Feat. Mel Walker
(Mercury: 1952)
GOIN' STEADY (The Telephone Hour)
from "Bye Bye Birdie"
by The Sweet Apple Kids
(Columbia: 1960)
I DON’T LOVE YOU NO MORE (I Don’t Care About You)
by Jimmy Norman
(Little Star: 1962)
ONE OF THE BOYS
by Mott The Hoople
(Columbia: 1972)
PARTY LINE
by The Kinks
(Reprise: 1967)
and even THAT’S SHOW BIZ
by Dale Wright with The Wright Guys
(Fraternity: 1959)
https://youtu.be/4muzrquGVSE .
A boxing ring bell was heard on
I AM THE GREATEST by
Cassius Clay
(Columbia: 1964),
A traditional British town crier
rang his bell at the opening of
TOWN CRIER
by Craig Douglas
(UK Decca: 1963)
And various bells rang on
TIME by Pink Floyd
(Harvest: 1973).
Finally, though it doesn’t appear on the version
that became the 1966 hit single on Atlantic,
a school bell originally opened
LAND OF 1000 DANCES
by Wilson Pickett.
Here’s the full track:
Part 1 of my survey of sound effects
in vintage records centered on Automobiles;.
It appeared in Vol.4 No.10
of “The Door To Yesterday”.
As in all my postings, the recordings listed and referenced above
are in no way intended as definitive collections.
Please send any comments or suggestions to
Rock on.
Alan Warner
© Alan Warner, 2020. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Alan Warner with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.