Backmasking is a technique that was developed and popularised by John Lennon during the production of 1966's Revolver. While high, he accidentally played some samples backward while constructing the track rain. He liked the sound and the rest was history.
Traditionally, backmasking has bad connotations that surround it with many groups claiming bands were inserting satanic messages hidden in reverse on their albums. Popular bands such as Queen, Led Zeppelin and the Beatles have all been accused of hiding messages in their melodies. There was a bit of a panic as parents and churches fretted about the subliminal messages that would be invading their childrens minds through music and music videos. In the US it even went as far as congress with the State of California nearly passing a law requiring any album that included subliminal messages to have a warning sticker. There are many great examples of this technique to be found on the web.
It's funny that people get paranoid about secret messages like this but are completely ok with all the more obvious, but still subconciously effective, product placements that pervade our musical media. McDonalds struck deals with rappers a few years ago that had them being paid $5 anytime a song of theirs played on US radio and they used the lyric 'Big Mac'. Music videos are filled with advertising for alcohol and clothes brands. These are the subliminal advertisements we need to be wary of. They may not be trying to turn you to Satan but they may be trying to sell you some sneakers you don't need.
Check out wiki for great samples of backmasking :-)
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