American Musical Arsenal

What do Bruce Springsteen, Barry Manilow and AC/DC have in common?

Music can soothe the savage beast – or drive him nuts! Play an annoying song over and over and you might just get that beast to talk, surrender or hit the road. Here are some hit songs from the intimidation charts:

• Bruce Sringsteen’s “Born in the USA” was in high rotation in Guantanamo Bay.

• Christina Aguilera’s “Dirrty” was alternated with dripping water as a wake-up call for Mohammed al Qahtani there.

• Nancy Sinatra’s “These Boots Were Made for Walking” was dedicated to cult leader David Koresh by the FBI back in 1993 – over and over and over – full blast. They rejected Billy Ray Cyrus’ “Achy Breaky Heart” for fear that some cult members might like that too much.

• AC/DC’s “Shoot to Thrill” and “Hells Bells” got a lot of airplay - via long range acoustic devices through some regions of Iraq - and to repel pirate attacks in Somalia.

• Any song by Barry Manillow is a favorite in Christchurch, New Zealand – to drive local punks away from their central mall district.

Source: Journal of the Society for American Music

P.S.  No Elena, Michael Buble didn't make the cut.