10 Songs With Hidden Backward Messages

Wikipedia.org

Styx’s infamous backmasking message

For years, non-metal people have been accusing various metal bands of influencing their flock with hidden messages that could only be heard by playing the vinyl backwards. Overnight, this “backmasking” became a threat to national security, especially after Dan Rather played clips of hidden messages on CBS Evening News in 1982. Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd were also implicated in promoting Satanic messages that “can manipulate our behavior without our knowledge or consent and turn us into disciples of the Antichrist.” Furious, politicians demanded that TG&Y and Wolworths, the grandparents of Wal-Mart, place warning labels on the records.

So here’s a list of some of the more infamous backmasking messages for your not-so-virgin ears.

Led Zeppelin, “Stairway to Heaven”
When my best friend first played this record backwards, I was 14 and seducing his sister in his parents’ bedroom. The eerie crackling helped to set the mood, but when the words “Here’s to my sweet Satan” echoed through the speakers, I thought he said “Santa” and started to laugh and ruined the mood. I hated this song for years.

Styx, “Snowblind”
If you play this song backwards for about 33 minutes, you’ll finally understand the hidden message: “Satan moves through our voices.” Yet it still didn’t move me to buy the band’s album.

The Beatles, “Revolution 9″
During my backmasking heyday, I played my aunt’s Beatles album backwards just for the hell of it, so imagine my surprise when I heard: “Turn me on, dead man… turn me on, dead man… turn me on, dead man.” Talk about scary. I still shiver when I hear Paul McCartney’s voice.

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