# Does Led Zeppelin's "stairway to heaven" in fact contain secret satanic messages? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 5, 2014, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-led-zeppelins-stairway-to-heaven-in-fact-contain-secret-satanic-messages/692435 "2014-07-05T22:07:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2014, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-led-zeppelins-stairway-to-heaven-in-fact-contain-secret-satanic-messages/692435/41 "2014-07-06T11:36:16Z")
> [@chacoguy](#): > > There’s a very clear backtrack at the beginning of _Empty Spaces_ on Pink Floyd’s _The Wall._ > [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > There’s a deliberate backward track at the beginning of ELO’s “Fire On High” on **Face The Music**. It says **The music is reversible**. On a more obscure note, [Blue Öyster Cult’s “You’re Not The One I Was Looking For”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mu3ADVmrliA) includes a deliberate and blatantly obvious backmask (at about 0:32 or so), as a parody of the phenomenon. When slowed down, it is, in fact, the Lord’s Prayer. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2014, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-led-zeppelins-stairway-to-heaven-in-fact-contain-secret-satanic-messages/692435/42 "2014-07-06T12:34:53Z")
> [@sara20](#): > > So after doing so surfing around on youtube I stumbled onto a version of Led Zeppelin’s “stairway to heaven” played backwards, and you can hear what appear to be satanic messages very clearly. This is very strange becasue I have listened to other songs backwards before just for fun, and usually it just sounds like gibberish and you cant decipher anything clearly, sometimes if you get lucky you can hear an occasion word or sentence from the whole song that sounds that sounds legible. In “stairway to heaven” you can make out almost every word that he is saying and it sounds legible. Jimmy page who wrote the song was known to have a interest in the occult and guys like Alister Crowley. I am also wondering if you think the video was edited to make it sound like he is saying those things. This is the video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNE75XznfIE](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNE75XznfIE) **sara20** - how do YOU think about this as a topic? Do you believe that musicians did this type of thing, and did it with the goal of being agents of Satan? If so, I am not sure what to say: you are asking folks on an anonymous message board to help you accept or reject a Big Satanic Conspiracy Theory (BSCT) based on stuff you see on youtube. So it goes. When I was a teen in the 70’s, this BSCT stuff was circulated on cassette tapes. But…but…listen to Hotel California! That’s Anton LaVey’s shadow in the window on the cover!! But…the Beast…steely knives…checking out! But the Eagles are mellow guys - what? how?! To paraphrase Paul Simon - people hear what they want to hear and disregard the rest. So - **sara20** : what do you want to hear? (yeah, yeah, I know: Freebird!!) ETA: can you imagine if a band like ZZ Top got into back-masking back in the day? For the actual lyrics, you’d hear something like “She wants a Pearl Necklace!!” and when you play the song backwards, you’d hear “what Mr. Gibbons is actually requesting is for you to let him titty-fuck you - please assume the position.” ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2014, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-led-zeppelins-stairway-to-heaven-in-fact-contain-secret-satanic-messages/692435/43 "2014-07-06T12:43:52Z")
Too late to add: and for all of this silliness, why aren’t the Rolling Stones lumped in to this approach? Probably because their forward-playing lyrics already say stuff like “yeah, I am Satan - do me, do drugs, and do the rock and roll!!!” Left nothing cute or cryptic for folks to interpret. I love that. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2014, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-led-zeppelins-stairway-to-heaven-in-fact-contain-secret-satanic-messages/692435/44 "2014-07-06T14:34:36Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > It’s not a great advertisement for the dark power of Lucifer, is it? Why would you sell your soul to some sad goat-footed dingus in a little toolshed? Do not speak ill of Lawnmower Man. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2014, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-led-zeppelins-stairway-to-heaven-in-fact-contain-secret-satanic-messages/692435/45 "2014-07-06T14:43:47Z")
^ Healthy soil, that’s what you got there, by Circe. Pan’s the boss. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2014, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-led-zeppelins-stairway-to-heaven-in-fact-contain-secret-satanic-messages/692435/46 "2014-07-06T14:44:23Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > Too late to add: and for all of this silliness, why aren’t the Rolling Stones lumped in to this approach? Probably because their forward-playing lyrics already say stuff like “yeah, I am Satan - do me, do drugs, and do the rock and roll!!!” > > Left nothing cute or cryptic for folks to interpret. I love that. If you play the Rolling Stones backwards, it says "“Go to church, say your prayers. TITHE!!! TITHE!!!” ---
**Author:** ![Absinthe\_Anecdote](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f6c823/32.png) [@Absinthe\_Anecdote](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absinthe_Anecdote)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2014, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-led-zeppelins-stairway-to-heaven-in-fact-contain-secret-satanic-messages/692435/47 "2014-07-06T14:57:08Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > ^ Healthy soil, that’s what you got there, by Circe. Pan’s the boss. One of the most bizarre short stories ever! ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2014, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-led-zeppelins-stairway-to-heaven-in-fact-contain-secret-satanic-messages/692435/48 "2014-07-06T15:05:00Z")
Having listened to Led Zep and other satanic-message-bearing songs for decades now, I don’t feel I have been inordinately affected by those messages and started worshipping The Dark One, conducting Black Masses, or sacrificing household pets to Beelzebub. I have listened to “Itchykoo Park” more times than I can count and never once cut school to caper through a park to get high with friends. I’ve listened to countless songs about suicide, optimism, endless love, disappointment, and lust - they’re all just songs. Just words. If one takes those words to heart…there’s something wrong with them, and it’s not the fault of the songwriter. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2014, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-led-zeppelins-stairway-to-heaven-in-fact-contain-secret-satanic-messages/692435/49 "2014-07-06T15:14:24Z")
^ One exception: MacArthur Park. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2014, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-led-zeppelins-stairway-to-heaven-in-fact-contain-secret-satanic-messages/692435/50 "2014-07-06T15:20:21Z")
Even if there were intentional, secret backmasked words in there, could the human brain actually subconsciously decode the message? I am highly dubious. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2014, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-led-zeppelins-stairway-to-heaven-in-fact-contain-secret-satanic-messages/692435/51 "2014-07-06T15:28:57Z")
the Navy has used this. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2014, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-led-zeppelins-stairway-to-heaven-in-fact-contain-secret-satanic-messages/692435/52 "2014-07-06T15:38:27Z")
I have it on good authority that if you play “Hair” by the Cowsills backwards, you hear the satanic prayer “Owah Tagu Siam.” ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2014, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-led-zeppelins-stairway-to-heaven-in-fact-contain-secret-satanic-messages/692435/53 "2014-07-06T15:38:38Z")
Used what exactly, and for what purpose, and what were the results? ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2014, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-led-zeppelins-stairway-to-heaven-in-fact-contain-secret-satanic-messages/692435/54 "2014-07-06T15:41:58Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > I have it on good authority that if you play “Hair” by the Cowsills backwards, you hear the satanic prayer “Owah Tagu Siam.” How long have you been waiting to use that, Sam? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2014, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-led-zeppelins-stairway-to-heaven-in-fact-contain-secret-satanic-messages/692435/55 "2014-07-06T15:42:59Z")
It’s true, dammit! ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2014, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-led-zeppelins-stairway-to-heaven-in-fact-contain-secret-satanic-messages/692435/56 "2014-07-06T16:15:08Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Used what exactly, and for what purpose, and what were the results? https://www.youtube.com/embed/Uw-lYea19KE?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2014, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-led-zeppelins-stairway-to-heaven-in-fact-contain-secret-satanic-messages/692435/57 "2014-07-06T16:22:51Z")
First, I don’t believe in subliminal backmasking. That said I find it interesting that no one has ever proved their hypothesis that you could find basically any message in the gibberish by coming up with an alternate semi-coherent positive message. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2014, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-led-zeppelins-stairway-to-heaven-in-fact-contain-secret-satanic-messages/692435/58 "2014-07-06T16:44:20Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > Too late to add: and for all of this silliness, why aren’t the Rolling Stones lumped in to this approach? Probably because their forward-playing lyrics already say stuff like “yeah, I am Satan - do me, do drugs, and do the rock and roll!!!” > > Left nothing cute or cryptic for folks to interpret. I love that. Yeah, that stuff is great (and funny!). Even Yngwie got in on that act in his song (oddly titled) “Disciples Of Hell”. During the bridge part, a demonic voice can clearly be heard to say (while creepy keyboards play along): _Raise your cup, and praise the Prince of Darkness signature of the power within the Beast and when the time has come the gates of Hell shall open!_ Of course, funnier still are the bands that have playful fun with it. Iron Maiden has a song called “Still Life” on their Piece Of Mind album that has a deliberate backtracking message at the beginning of it that was put there in response to accusations of them being Satanic. It’s essentially the drummer Nicko McBrain imitating Idi Amin. When played backward it says something like “What ho said the thing with three heads, don’t meddle with things you don’t understand”…followed by an audible belch. ---
**Author:** ![sara20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e79b87/32.png) [@sara20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sara20)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2014, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-led-zeppelins-stairway-to-heaven-in-fact-contain-secret-satanic-messages/692435/59 "2014-07-06T16:51:01Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > I first heard this one years ago and it still cracks me up. It’s so prosaic! Why is Satan in a toolshed? Does he need garden supplies? Was Home Depot no help? And it’s not even a big scary one, if a toolshed can be scary - they specify it’s little one! Maybe that’s why he’s sad. He’s The Lord of Hell and he’s hanging around some English dad’s toolshed with the rusted shovels and the leaky garden hose, tormenting some pimply teenage wankers who just got home from school. It’s not a great advertisement for the dark power of Lucifer, is it? Why would you sell your soul to some sad goat-footed dingus in a little toolshed? The house Alister Crowley lived in was known as “The toolshed”, Jimmy page bought his house and wrote “stairway to heaven” in it. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2014, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-led-zeppelins-stairway-to-heaven-in-fact-contain-secret-satanic-messages/692435/60 "2014-07-06T17:00:24Z")
> [@sara20](#): > > The house Alister Crowley lived in was known as “The toolshed”, Jimmy page bought his house and wrote “stairway to heaven” in it. That’s not true. The beginnings of the song were at Bron-Yr-Aur in Wales. (ETA: yeah, yeah, I know: link to that thread about Jimmy ripping off Spirit…) **sara20** , let’s be clear about this: rock bands did not back-mask satanic messages - at least, not until they heard it was a thing feared by religious folks. What are you trying to accomplish with this thread? If you are looking for fellow believers, then I haven’t seen much evidence over the years that you will find many here on the SDMB. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-led-zeppelins-stairway-to-heaven-in-fact-contain-secret-satanic-messages/692435.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-led-zeppelins-stairway-to-heaven-in-fact-contain-secret-satanic-messages/692435.md?page=4)