When Styx released ‘Snowblind’ on their 1981 album ‘Paradise Theatre,’ the band members wanted to express their take on the helplessness of cocaine addiction. For that, James Young and Tommy Shaw recorded different parts of the song, representing an addict’s cycle of highs and lows under the influence. After its release, the single reached number 22 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.
While everything seemed normal initially, Styx also got their fair share of people who love playing songs backward and coming to conclusions. Those who were against rock music because of its ‘Satanic’ undertone decided that ‘Snowblind’ had a hidden message when played backward.
Allegedly, when the line ‘I try so hard to make it so’ played in reverse was heard to be ‘Satan moves through our voices.’ Regardless of an aural inspection saying this situation was coincidental, anti-rock-music activists continued using the track to prove rock music’s evil purposes.
As a result, the protestors even asked the Arkansas State Senate to pass a law about having warning labels on records containing such Satanic messages. The accusations reached a point where the Parents Music Resource Center and its leader Tipper Gore condemned the song as ‘Satanistic.’
Naturally, Styx dismissed these claims over and over while the allegations grew further. The band’s founding member Dennis DeYoung eventually spoke to In the Studio and angrily said, “Anyone who plays their records backward is the Antichrist.”
“We have enough trouble making these records sound right forward,” noted DeYoung, who was clearly upset about the remarks and people who carried the rumors further. He then added, “People have nothing better to do. It’s the name Styx. Can you imagine attacking the guys who made ‘Babe?’ I mean, please.”
Regardless of the band’s and DeYoung’s statements, the Arkansas State Senate actually passed the mentioned bill. The legislation didn’t only include Styx; it also cited the Beatles, Pink Floyd, Queen, and more as bands with hidden messages in their albums. After this ruling, Styx wanted to respond and released a concept album titled ‘Kilroy Was Here.’ The band members put messages that were only understood once played backward to mock the allegations.
