Looking Back at Backmasking
I remember, in my early twenties being fascinated with the hype in Christian circles surrounding the concept of “back masking” - which we all took so seriously (admit it!).
Today, wikipedia, features an article entitled ‘Backmasking‘:
“Backmasking (also known incorrectly as backward masking)[1] is a recording technique in which a sound or message is recorded backwards onto a track that is meant to be played forwards. Backmasking is a deliberate process, whereas a message found through phonetic reversal may be unintentional.
Backmasking was popularized by The Beatles, who used backward vocals and instrumentation on their 1966 album Revolver. Artists have since used backmasking for artistic, comedic, and satiric effect, on both analog and digital recordings. The technique has also been used to censor words or phrases for “clean” releases of songs.
Backmasking has been a controversial topic in the United States since the 1980s, when allegations of its use for Satanic purposes were made against prominent rock musicians, leading to record-burning protests and proposed anti-backmasking legislation by state and federal governments. Whether backmasked messages exist and whether backmasking has been employed to enlist the aid of the supernatural are in debate, as is whether backmasking can be used to subliminally affect listeners”
What do you think…? Noting that many popular tracks do in fact have backmasked messages - does the phenomenon have any credibility whereby Christians should be concerned? Or is it out dated Christian kitsch from a bygone era which we are destined to cringe at for years to come ?
And what are you Church/personal experiences/memories of all of this?
August 11th, 2007 at 6:41 pm
It was always a bit of an over-reaction. This guy was the chief supporter/purveyor of the evils of rock music back when backmasking had it’s fifteen minutes.
http://www.freedomministries.org.uk/godwin/index.shtml
Personally, I’m more concerned with what’s being said forwards these days. But I’m curious, Lionfish you say many popular tracks today have backmasking? There’s a difference between using reverse audio effects and true backmasking (ie, inserting a hidden message only discoverable in reverse). Seems like a pretty old discussion, done and dusted I’d say.
August 11th, 2007 at 6:50 pm
Actually, the best ever reverse effect is on an episode of the British tv series “Red Dwarf” aptly titled “Backwards”. If you have the time and/or inclination you should play it backwards. It will tell you what you need to know about “backmasking”.
August 11th, 2007 at 11:51 pm
Ahhh the Knights In Satan’s Service…oh those were the days….
August 12th, 2007 at 3:04 am
“Ahhh the Knights In Satan’s Service…oh those were the days….”
“….as KISS bassist Gene Simmons explained in his autobiography, the rumors were…just rumors, even if the band didn’t go out of their way to discourage them.
….[Simmons]… misinformation about the band began to spread in the southern bible belt states, including a rumor that the name KISS stood for Knights In Satan’s Service, and that the four of us were devil worshippers. Ironically, this rumor started as a result of an interview I gave in Circus magazine after our first album; in response to a question, I said that I sometimes wondered what human flesh tastes like. I never wanted to really find out, but I was curious intellectually. Later on, this comment seemed to ignite the whole idea that in some way KISS was aligned with devil worship. When I was asked whether I worshipped the devil, I simply refused to answer for a number of reasons: the first reason, of course, was that it was good press. Let people wonder. The other reason was my complete disregard for the people who were asking. Through the years, whenever religious fanatics accosted me, especially in the southern states, and quoted the Old Testament at me, I would quote them back chapter and verse. They didn’t know that I had been a theology major in school. An idiot is an idiot…whether he quotes the bible or not.”
From http://www.snopes.com/music/hidden/kiss.asp
August 12th, 2007 at 11:04 am
I just shouted “Signposts” 100 times backwards and it came out “We love Brian Houston”……….a mole is at work
and
when you say “lance the hitman” backwards it comes out ” I am really a closet hetereosexual”
I love back masking..what else can i find out
August 12th, 2007 at 11:22 am
You idiot! LOL
August 12th, 2007 at 4:34 pm
I got sucked into that for a while back in about 1984 when “Stairway to Heaven” was seen as the hymn of the Satanic Church. The problem was that the song was really nice to listen to.
Actually, the whole backmasking thing was good because it allowed me to become a faithful believer while realising that there was stuff out there that Christians were saying that was garbage. I learned from that moment on that the best place to start was the Bible, no matter what some Christians might say.
August 13th, 2007 at 9:38 am
I remember this film that did the rounds in the 80’s Rock and Roll: A search for God
I took the whole thing very seriously - banned all rock music and anything other than Amy Grants early stuff (she sold out with her albums from 87 onward!) and Dion or that guy who used to be in Santana, Eve Thornequist, oh how I miss the 80’s. I remember going to a youth group meeting and discovering the pastors daughter listened to Michael Jackson and couldn’t understand it at all.
I even started to see the fact that I listened to Queens music and the fact that I had started to smoke dope in the same year as another one bites the dustwas released as being more than coincidental. Cringe Cringe Cringe
August 13th, 2007 at 10:53 am
I think there were some extremely cringeworthy Christian albums out over that period as well. Here are a few to gaze upon.
Satan is Real - the lovin brothers How very lovvin they are!
Let me touch him Keep your kids away from these fellas!
Christian Crusaders - with Al Davis Al makes the album worth listening to.
All my friends are dead This one was designed to be listened to by people trying to recover form drug abuse! It sent them all back to the sweet sweet arms of lady heroin
Stryper - to Hell with the DevilCHristian Heavy Metal? Tahy were bad! - all ended up being gay too I think - not that there’s anything wrong with that.
The Addicts Sing What more do I need to say?
Here Comes Jesus Whay are they running away from him?
Mr Bat SingsOnce again, keep your kids away from this guy
The G Stringers Gives bumb flossing a whole new meaning
The Musical Four But wait count them!
More songs and Hyms fomr the Polka Mass And Saint doesn’t think much of the U2charist - what will he make of this!
August 13th, 2007 at 1:55 pm
I found the “Satan is Real” album in my local Borders bookstore a few months ago. I couldnt work out why a corny hillbilly album would be on sale there. But it seems they are a class outfit who influenced Gram Parsons. Who would have figured that?
August 13th, 2007 at 2:57 pm
Who would have thought it would still be available today?
August 13th, 2007 at 3:56 pm
Yeah - just goes to show God dosent take theology into account when he hands out the musical talent. Hillsong take notice - maybe we should call them HillbillySongs.