Top Ten Songs Featuring a Celesta
A celesta is a type of keyboard. It looks similar to a piano, but it uses metal plates instead of strings. It has a very light, child-like sound. Unlike most of my lists, the songs on this list can be in any genre. Feel free to add to the list.
The main melody of this song is played on a celesta. This is the most famous song to feature a celesta, though most people don't fully realize it (myself included).
The main instrument on this song is a celesta. It wasn't until I heard this song that I was fully aware of what a celesta was.
Norman Petty (Buddy's producer) brought in his wife Vi to play the celesta on the song.
I... had no idea what the hecky-peck a celesta was before I saw this list. Just goes to show you learn something new everyday. I'm pretty sure this song would still sound great without the old celesta thing going on faintly in the background, though.
Nicky Hopkins plays the celesta on this song. You can hear it faintly in the background.
Rick Wright plays the celesta on this one. It comes in during the middle 8.
Bruce Johnston added a celesta part to the song. It's very faint, but if you pay attention, you can hear it.
The celesta was played by session musician Doug Rhodes. You can hear it most prominently in the bridge and last verse.
The theme to Mister Roger's Neighborhood. That beautiful, chime-like instrument you hear at the very beginning of the song is a celesta.
Iggy dubbed a celesta part onto the record to go along with the main guitar riff.
George Martin dubbed a celesta onto the song, playing the exact same notes at the same time as the guitar solo.
From The Notorious Byrd Brothers. The chiming instrument heard in the background, as it turns out, is a celesta. I didn't realize that the first time I listened to it.