Is Your Favorite Song a Torture Device?
- Posted by: Morgan Clendaniel
- on October 22, 2009 at 2:45 pm
A group of musicians today endorsed a Freedom of Information Act request to find out what songs were used in torture at Guantanamo Bay. There is ample evidence that the constant playing of loud music was used to break down prisoners. Detainees say that:
“the music they most often described hearing was heavy metal, rap and country. Specific songs mentioned include Queen’s “We Are the Champions” and “March of the Pigs” by industrial rockers Nine Inch Nails.
Another former prisoner, Binyam Mohamed, told Human Rights Watch that he had been forced to listen to the rapper Eminem’s song “The Real Slim Shady” for 20 days.”
From this post, I’ve come across this list of some of the songs allegedly used:
“• “Enter Sandman,” Metallica.
• “Bodies,” Drowning Pool.
• “Shoot to Thrill,” AC/DC.
• “Hell’s Bells,” AC/DC.
• “I Love You,” from the “Barney and Friends” children’s TV show.
• “Born in the USA,” Bruce Springsteen.
• “Babylon,” David Gray.
• “White America,” Eminem.
• “Sesame Street,” theme song from the children’s TV show.
Other bands and artists whose music has been frequently played at U.S. detention sites: Aerosmith, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Don McLean, Lil’ Kim, Limp Bizkit, Meat Loaf, Rage Against the Machine, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Tupac Shakur.”
Understandably, no artist wants to feel like their beautiful art can have the same effect as waterboarding. We’ll see if the government actually releases this data. If they do, get ready for a bunch of tasteless torture mixes.
Photo of Rage Against the Machine protesting their songs use at Guantanamo, by Chiaki Nozu via The Guardian.
DISCUSSION: 7 Comments
born in the usa && sesame street would break me in about twenty minutes. really.
Why does it always seem that celebs are such bleeding hearts about this kind of thing? Personally, I don’t care how much I like a song, any music could be considered a torture device if played over and over for an extended period of time. Maybe instead of feeling SORRY for these people who are considered terrorists, they should be pleased, honored even that thier music is being used to HELP the military do thier job. I tell you, if using music helps them get a confession, OR keeps these people at a point where they are not spitting, flinging sh*t at, or trying to injure our soldiers…Then USE IT. Whether Barney Theme or Metallica…”Let The Bodies Hit The Floor”!!
pretty sure barney and sesame street would make anyone kill themselves.
Isn’t acknowledging that your music is on a list being used to torture people the same as acknowledging that your music sucks?
I’m gonna be sick!! get me something to be sick in!!! its a sin to play lovely lovely LUDWIG VAN!!! A Clockwork Orange
LMAO! He had to listen to the real slim shady for 20 days!
Listening to Britney Spears,or Christina Aguilera truely is torture. I suppose it could be worse, they could have been forced to listen to miley cyrus.That would probably go beyond torture and be considered cruel and unusual punishment.