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KA3VSP > ALL 26.10.20 21:30l 139 Lines 6244 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 142_KA3VSP
Read: GUEST
Subj: Morse Code in Music
Path: IW8PGT<IZ3LSV<I0OJJ<EA2RCF<LU9DCE<EC5W<PE1RRR<N7HPX<N3DWB<N3IP<KA3BVJ<
KA3VSP
Sent: 201026/1848Z 142@KA3VSP.DE.USA.NOAM BPQ6.0.20
Here is a packet message that I originally sent way back in 1997. It was later published many times over the years.
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Morse Code in Music
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While listening to your favorite music, don't be
suprised if you hear those strange and annoying
sounds of that terrible Morse code!
Case in point, on Joe Walsh's solo album
"Songs for a Dying Planet" is a song titled
"Vote For Me". The song is preceded with Morse
code which pounds out "REGISTER AND VOTE FOR ME AR".
Brian, KF2HC, states that the same message appears
on Joe's first album "Barnstorm" in a song titled
"Mother". Joe holds an Advanced class Amateur license.
Another album worth noting is Roger Waters' album
"Radio Kaos". This album is filled with Morse messages.
Most of the code is underlying the haunting music and
very difficult to copy. The album's cover is littered
with Morse code characters which spell out the album's
song titles!
The rock band RUSH has a song title "YYZ" on their album
"Moving Pictures". This songs starts out with heavy
percussion belting out "YYZ" followed by bass and
guitar blaring out the same. Well, the characters YYZ are
the beacon identifier for the Toronto International Airport.
The inspiration for the song came from Alex Lifeson, the
guitarist for the band, who holds a private pilots license.
Carter Bennett, KI5SR, adds that there is badly formed
Morse code on Kate Bush's album "Hounds of Love".
Carter informs me that the song "Watching You Without Me"
contains the code "SOS". It was also reported that this
track has some RTTY going in and out of tune. KI5SR continues
with information regarding the album "Saving the Wildlife"
by Mannheim Steamroller. He states that there is a track
on the album which sounds too much like "CQ" in Morse.
Charlie, N2JQA, says that there is Morse Code on
Ronnie Montrose's album (Elektra 1982 EI-60034) "GAMMA 3".
The song "Stranger" contains Morse Code which spells
"STRANGER".
Wayne, WA6MPG, states that in 1967, the band
"PEARLS BEFORE SWINE" recorded a song with an adult-rated
CW message in it. The song was titled "MISS MORSE".
The song is said to have vulgarities in it spelled out
with Morse Code. The album was titled "ONE NATION UNDERGROUND".
Randall, KE0YG, provided the following info about Morse Code
in the computer game called "RED STORM RISING" by Microprose.
Randall says that in the opening credits there is music
which contains Morse Code which spells out
"THE RUSSIANS ARE COMING" at about 18 WPM.
Randall says that he can confirm this on the C-64 version
and he believes that the IBM version plays the CW message
in the theme song.
Craig, VK3CRA, reports a TV show called "INSPECTOR MORSE".
Craig has never seen the show but, from info gathered, states
that the inspector's name is never given in the show. It is
alleged, however, to be contained in Morse Code which is played
as part of the show's introductory music.
Howie, N2WX and Mark, KM6XU, claims that "Radioactivity" by
Kraftwerk has lots of good Morse code in it. Mark also states
that the band Missing Persons has a song with some code in it
but Mark didn't supply any info on the song.
A message from John, NI6D, says that there is pseudo Morse
code in the song "Radio Silence" on Thomas Dolby's album
titled "The Golden Age of Wireless".
Dave, N0DET, adds that there is code in the song
"Planet Claire" by the B-52's. In the intro to "Planet Claire",
a kind of Spy vs. Spy mood is created by the music,
and plainly audible CW. The Morse code says,
"NAKS DE CFH I I ZKR F13395 5156 AS 662 ....,", then fades
to music. Dave believes that 'NAKS' and 'CFH' are
commercial station callsigns.
More information pertaining to the code comes in from Ron,
VE3RYN. Ron says that "NAKS" should be "NAWS" which stands
for 'North Atlantic Weather Station' and "CFH" is a CDN
military ship/shore station located near Halifax, Nova
Scotia.
Michael, W9OJ, claims that the words "love you" are
spelled out in morse code at the end of the "Iron Butterfly
Theme" Iron Butterfly. This song is on their first album
"Heavy" and is also on the double album titled "Rare
Flight".
Ian, VK2IAQ, writes in with information stating that
the UK rock band 'Barclay James Harvest' has two songs
which contain morse code. Ian states that the song
"Nova Lepidoptera", a sci-fi song from the 1977 album "XII",
starts off with "UFO" repeated in slow morse code.
Also, the title track of the album "Ring of Changes"
starts with the title sent twice in morse code.
John Lees, the lead guitarist, is a licensed amateur operator
in the UK.
Bill, WA6ITF, reports some really good Morse code on
the CD "SEEK YOU" by Andrew, G3WZZ, and Lissa Huddleson.
Duane, KA9HKL, states that there is 20+ wpm cw in
"I Can Move A Mountain" by The Blues Magoos, The message
says "I can move a mountain", it is sent twice in somewhat sloppy
code. The song was origionally released on the Mercury album
"Basic Blues Magoos" #61167 in May of 1968. It can also be found on
"Kaleidescope Compendium" CD Mercury 314 512 313-2. A very 60's
psychedelic collection of songs. This band is probably best known for
"(We Ain't Got) Nothin' Yet".
Danny, K7SS, informs me that he did a tune on an album called the
SEATTLE SYNDROME in 1981. It was a compilation of local bands,
just prior to the grunge explosion in Seatte. The song was
"21.252" and was done back when 21.25 was the band edge of 15 meters.
It features some great JA pileups mixed with instrumental sax etc.
The group's name was "K7SS" and was a duo of myself and James Husted.
One of the more interesting examples of Morse Code in Music,
adds Chris AA9HD, is the song "Pencil Rain" by They Might Be Giants.
In the middle of this song, there is a bit of code that spells
"Ay, Ay, Ay, Ay, canta y no llores".
Translated to English, it means "Ay, Ay, Ay, Ay, sing and don't cry".
The name of this song is "Cielito Lindo", which means
"Pretty Little Sky."
Well, that's about it for now. Thanks to all who have provided
me with information on this subject and thanks to all who
have inquired abt the subject.
73 de Brian Pasternak, KA3VSP
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