I found a partial list of “torture tunes” used at US detention centers such as Guantanamo Bay to break suspected terrorists.
“U.S. military interrogators have often blasted music at detainees in Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay. According to the British law group Reprieve, these are among the songs they have used most frequently:
• “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.”
I was shocked – shocked (!) that this classic spastic bit of bubble gum didn’t make the list.
Of course, some musicians are upset that their music is being used in this way.
“A campaign being launched Wednesday has brought together groups including Massive Attack and musicians such as Tom Morello, who played with Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave and is now on a solo tour. It will feature minutes of silence during concerts and festivals, said Chloe Davies of the British law group Reprieve, which represents dozens of Guantanamo Bay detainees and is organizing the campaign.”
Here’s another glaring omission.
Personally, I’d be proud if any of my music was used to torture terrorists. In fact, I’d be happy to compose music just for that purpose. It would be kinda hard to top this, though.
The Tizona Group 