Considered rock icons, members of Led Zeppelin were also accused of inducing fans to Satanism in the 1980s.
In a world where there are around 6500 languages, music is universal and intensely subliminal. The melody draws attention, but it’s the coded elements (lyrically and visually) that really connect the composition with the audience — and, in its purest form, talks to the pains and heartaches of each listener.
The connection between rock ‘n’ roll and the satanic is a tale as old as time. For some Christians and conservatives, the genre encourages drug use and lures people into Satanism. And the Led Zeppelinone of the most influential bands in the industry, has not been left out of these rumours.
Ironically, the group’s most popular song is “stairway to heaven“, a rock ballad with a light composition. But, according to a famous urban legend propagated by Michael Millsthe track features a hidden message when sung backwards.
In 1981, the minister stated that the song has the following phrases “master Satan”, “serve me” and “there is no escaping it”. According to him, these supposed messages could be absorbed by people’s subconscious.
As informed by Rolling Stone in 2019, the televangelist Paul Crouch had a slightly different interpretation of the song, which read: “Here is my sweet Satan/He whose little way would make me sad, whose power is Satan/He will give those with him 666/There was a little toolshed where he made us suffer , sad Satan”.
For some listeners, “stairway to heaven” sounds like the supposed lyrics spoken by Couch when played backwards. However, the very Robert Plantvocalist of Led Zeppelindismissed these allegations.
For the magazine, plant called the allegations ‘frustrating’ – for being just a bizarre coincidence. “Who on Earth would have thought of doing that? You have to have a lot of time on your hands to even consider that people would do that.”
Already for the Musician Magazine in 1983, lead singer of Led Zeppelin said that ‘Stairway to Heaven’ it was written with the best of intentions, and as far as reversing and putting messages at the end, that’s not my idea of making music.”
When considering that the Led Zeppelin was one of the most iconic rock bands of all time, it makes sense that they inspired one of the most enduring rumors like these. Listen to the song below:
Source: Rollingstone
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
