Ping Pong Pang Pong!

March 3, 2004 11:01 AM

Ping Pong Pang Pong ...(MIDI file). Archives of public transport departure chimes and announcements. From Japan, MIDI files [+] [+] (via Boingboing) and live recordings [+] [+] of various elaborate tunes (no I don't speak Japanese, just keep clicking the blue links until you hit an MP3!). European recordings [+]. The very excellent Shonen Knife used a sample of the Osaka subway chimes in their rockin' cover version of the Carpenter's 'Top of the World.' (WFMU archive here, click "Hear the show", song starts with Osaka chimes at approximately 15:23)
posted by carter (7 comments total)

Train jingles from Tokyo - natsukashii.

For anyone using Propellerheads' Reason, import one of these MIDI files - lots of fun!
posted by SpaceCadet at 11:26 AM on March 3, 2004

The tones are designed to assuage depression and dissuade riders from jumping in front of oncoming trains.

While the tones are fun, I prefer recordings of the conductors mumbling the name of each stop. "Takadanobaba desu..."
posted by shoepal at 11:33 AM on March 3, 2004

wow, are shonen knife still around? i saw them play live about twelve years ago (in the uk). still have the t-shirt :o) anyone want to recommend a good recent release of theirs (i have something, somewhere, but it's on vinyl, and i haven't got the turntable set up)?
posted by andrew cooke at 12:15 PM on March 3, 2004

wow, are shonen knife still around? i saw them play live about twelve years ago (in the uk). still have the t-shirt

I also saw them live 12 years ago in the UK at Manchester Uni. Had no idea they were still going either....
posted by SpaceCadet at 1:26 PM on March 3, 2004

My Japanese train fetish weirdness flat out gives me the creeps. Thanks for the links, carter.
posted by mokujin at 1:43 PM on March 3, 2004

Many people swear that the Washington D.C. Metro's "doors closing" annoucment is really saying "George Clooney".

You be the judge.
posted by Stoatfarm at 9:28 AM on March 4, 2004

It's "doors closing." But the regional accent does make it sound like "George Clooney." I grew up in DC and have a similar accent. I wonder if Clooney's amused?

(tries to picture George Clooney on the Metro and fails)
posted by swerve at 9:42 AM on March 4, 2004