Do Subliminal Messages In Music Really Exist?

The purpose of subliminal messages is to bypass the conscious mind and deliver the message straight to the subconscious mind. All sounds enter the ear and are immediately picked up by the conscious sector of the mind. Depending on the sound that is heard, the conscious mind does not always register it. Studies have proved that even if a particular sound does not register in the conscious mind, if there are enough stimuli present in the sound, the subconscious mind automatically detects and reacts to it. Subliminal Messages in music really exists and this is how it's done.

A recording technique called 'back masking' is used. For this technique to be used, the music must be recorded on a reel to reel taping system. The message is recorded backwards or in reverse on a track tape which can only be played forward. According to research claims, this technique was first employed by "The Beatles" in the mid 1960's but did not really become prominent in the United States until around 1980.

At this point in time, arguments began to be raised by Christian organizations who claimed satanic messages were being used against rock singers whose originally recorded music did not contain anything of an offensive nature. These Christian groups further maintained that the 'back masking' technique was being used to encourage listeners, who are most often in their teenage years, to become interested in drugs and illicit sexual activities.

In 1983 a California bill was formulated to require recordings in which the 'back masking' technique was employed to have a warning label. Some musicians credited as being part of this movement are Lady Gaga and Buddy Holly. In a song written following Holly's death in a plane crash, the 'back mask' recording claimed there was no plane crash that took his life but rather it was merely Satan collecting his dues. Another artist whose works are said to be a most useful satanic vehicle is Led Zepplin, particularly the song about Heaven.

On the other side of the argument, it is claimed that some ads, such as one by soft drink companies such as "Coke" are meant to entertain. They further claim that there is no satanic message in the ad. Coke's claim is that 'back masking' was used to make it appear there was a message included in the song for their product ads which claimed that their beverage actually contained cocaine.

In another outstanding example, the song 'Hotel California' which has the well-known opening line of 'Welcome to the Hotel California' when recorded using 'back masking' actually refers to the first satanic church which was built in L.A.

In the world of today, there are people who assert that since nobody listens to 8-track or cassette tapes anymore, all the hype or concern about subliminal messages existing in songs is a thing of the past. It is also asserted when the popular gadget, the MP3 player, came into existence, it totally ended the existence of subliminal messages in music due to the fact that MP3 uses a compressed file which can not be easily altered.