BACKMASKING

Music – it emanates the highest aesthetic pleasure to men....it is a source of rejuvenation... brings in serenity...

But this is not entirely about the aesthetical value of music...though the purpose stated behind it is the same... the real reason behind backmasking stil continues to intrigue everyone...popularised by the beatles... backmasking has always remained one of the most controversial issues..and it continues to be so because the of the fervour it created during early 80s.

Backmasking is basically recording a song that is meant to be played forward in such a way that when it is played backward, it gives u a different meaning. Its like having two songs on the same track. It started as early as 1913 but was used first time as concrete by the beatles in their 1966 album “revolver”. The song created a furore, but not because of the obvious reason, rather because people interpreted it to be “satanic”.

And from here on began the saga of dissentions. During the 1970s, the fundamentalist Christian groups declared these as a work of satan, which was followed by mass record burning protests. The latest addition came when Led Zeppelin’s “stairway to heaven” which goes as”if there’s a bustle in your hedgegrow don’t be alarmed now. It’s just a spring clean for the may queen. Yes there are two paths you can go by, but in the long run; there’s still time to change the road you’re on”, when backmasked appeared as,”oh here’s to my sweet satan. The one whose little path would make me sad, whose power is satan. He ‘ll give you 666. There was a little tool shed where he made us suffer, sad satan.”

The alleged singer on confrontation said he had no knowledge about it, and backmasking was done only to enhance the quality of the track. The church claimed that it is either the subconscious mind of the singer deciphering the song the reverse way or it is the satan himself who was making the singers do it. Nonetheless it continued, and surprisingly more than half of the present day singers still use this technique, though now mostly, backmasked songs rather give u a satirical meaning.

Artists who have been accused of backmasking include Led Zeppelin^[76] The Beatles,^[76] Pink Floyd,^[76] Electric Light Orchestra,^[76] Queen,^[76] Styx,^[76]AC/DC,^[76] Judas Priest,^[76]The Eagles,^[76] The Rolling Stones,^[76] Jefferson Starship,^[29] Black Oak Arkansas,^[29] Rush,^[77] Britney Spears,^[78], andEminem.^[23]

Eagles famous hotel California when played reverse gave message that claimed that the singers were into drugs. The Christian churh still believed that basic idea was spreading Satanism and mocking Christianity which derives from the ancient practice of mocking Christianity by saying prayers backward at the witch's Sabbath.

The mystery remains hidden but it still to pervade our minds. In recent times, backmasking is only done to add a fun element to songs. But the freakiness of the entire idea is astounding and will continue to be so.

PLABITA TALUKDAR

II year