Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford Presenting: Twenty Thousand Hertz
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Nov 18, 2025 
Join audio historian Brian Gardner, who has explored backmasking's roots, and Ashley Hamer, managing editor at Curiosity.com and musician, as they dive into the eerie world of hidden messages in music. They discuss infamous cases like the Judas Priest trial, the cultural panic of the '80s, and how our brains perceive accidental messages through pareidolia. From historical context to modern examples, they reveal the playful ways artists use backmasking today and debunk myths about its true influence on behavior.
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Reno Suicide Case Sparks Lawsuit
- In 1985 two young men attempted suicide after listening to Judas Priest's cover of "Better by You, Better Than Me."
- Their families later sued the band claiming hidden backward commands caused the deaths.
What Backmasking Actually Is
- Backmasking is deliberately recording audio backward and inserting it into a forward mix.
- It can be obvious or hidden, but artists intentionally used it as a studio technique.
Early Backmasking Example
- The Eligibles used early backmasking in the 1950s song "Car Trouble" with reversed lines that form warnings.
- Playbacks revealed phrases like "look here, cats. Stop running these records backwards."