TORTURE MUSIC is “EAR of the BEHEADER” TERRITORY

POLL LETS READERS VOTE WHICH MUSIC IS TORTURE

The hardest-working man in Boston, Darren Garnick has several clever takes on the ‘music as torture’ theme.

From Torturous interrogation technique isn’t music to everyone’s ears:

Blasting loud and continuous music to induce sleep deprivation and temporary insanity first gained notoriety when Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega was flushed out of the Vatican Embassy in 1989. Among the songs that convinced him to surrender were “Welcome to the Jungle” by Guns N’ Roses, “Give It Up” by K.C. and the Sunshine Band, and “Big Shot” by Billy Joel.

Fast forward to Iraq and Afghanistan. Now, recording artists such as R.E.M., Pearl Jam, Nine Inch Nails, Bonnie Raitt and David Byrne are demanding to know if any of their songs were part of this musical injustice. What they are going to do about it, besides complain, is unclear.

Darren has it right that the worth of all music–and which songs constitute torture–is relative.

“According to Spin magazine, Gitmo inmates rioted when camp loudspeakers first blared Neil Diamond’s “America,” which also happened to be the theme of the 1988 Michael Dukakis presidential campaign.”

Neither Neil or Michael can feel good about that development.

There’s even a poll to let readers vote on which musical number would be most appropriate of the 10 songs listed to play to torture terrorists. After casting a ballot, we found our personal choice was leading the pack. [Hint: Two of the choices are: "Bad Day - Daniel Powter" and "You've Got a Friend-James Taylor".]

And no, we won’t let on which is leading. Readers can choose what music truly constitutes “torture” to them.

But it gives subtle new meaning to the phrase, “Pick your poison”.

by Mondo Frazier
image: Ivansen’s Blog