I really like using sound effects sometimes (if you're bored enough to click on my link below, I use them on "Andy's Hair" and "Texas Surf Monsters"). BUT...if you OPEN with a sound effect and then that's it, then it had better be a great one that remains relevant somehow throughout the song...but that's rarely the case. Usually it just means "hey check it out, I opened with the sound of real rain...can you believe it?"

It works perfectly for "Riders on the Storm" and "Money". But in both cases, the sound is integrated into the song. The storm sounds return in "Riders"...and the cash register is used as an instrument along with the music in "Money".

http://www.soundclick.com/MarkKaufman