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Led Zeppelin's classic rock song “Stairway to Heaven” is perhaps one of the most controversial songs of all time – it has long been alleged that a backmasked message is contained in "Stairway to Heaven." It happens in the middle part of the song: “If there's a bustle in your hedgerow….”.

A backmasked message means one that is hidden beyond the perception of regular consciousness – i.e. a subliminal message – so when you play the verse backwards you hear different words. Here is the stairway to heaven subliminal verse in full:

• Oh here’s to my sweet Satan.
• The one whose little path 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.

The controversy all started when a Baptist preacher blasted the song on his radio show in 1982.

This led to lots of controversy and deep analysis by various people including the theory was later primarily advanced by Consumer Protection and Toxic Materials Committee of the California State Assembly. This was also supported by a neuro-scientist called William Yarroll.

Led Zeppelin ignored the criticism for years - only ever stating that "Our turntables only play in one direction, forwards" - a statement released through their record label. Sound engineer Eddie Kramer got angry at the critisicm, calling the claims "totally and utterly ridiculous". Why would they spend studio time doing something so dumb?" Led Zep Writer Robert Plant also got angry with all the accusations: "To me it's very sad, because it was written with good intentions, and as for reversing the music and putting messages in, that isn't my idea of making music.

Here is the infamous video, so you can decide for yourself. Visit our blog for more subliminal songs.