Singing roads

I have a small music box mechanism that plays “yesterday” by the Beatles. All you need is to turn it.

My dad has a really nice turntable. All it needs is a needle.

In California, they have a highway that plays “The William Tell Overture.” All you need is a Civic going 55 mph.

Unfortunately, the locals don’t like the music (some argue that it isn’t music at all), so the city of Lancaster will be paving over the Honda-sponsored gimmick this week. Too bad. Now you’ll only be able to hear it in the world of the Web.

People have been driving over the stretch and recording it — it works! Listen for yourself and let me know what you think. Also, WCBS conducted an interview while a city employee drove over it.

I really like the tuning-fork sound my car makes when I drop the hood shut after checking the oil. Perhaps the musical road only works within the reverberations of a vehicle, and that’s why the neighbors hate it so much.