 The Beatles , who incorporated the techniques of concrète into their recordings , were responsible for popularizing the concept of backmasking . Singer John Lennon and producer George Martin both claimed they discovered the backward recording technique during the recording of 1966 's Revolver ; specifically the album tracks " Tomorrow Never Knows " and " I 'm Only Sleeping " , and the single " Rain " . Lennon stated that , while under the influence of marijuana , he accidentally played the tapes for " Rain " in reverse and enjoyed the sound . The following day he shared the results with the other Beatles , and the effect was used first in the guitar solo for " Tomorrow Never Knows " and later in the coda of " Rain " . According to Martin , the band had been experimenting with changing the speeds of and reversing the " Tomorrow Never Knows " tapes , and Martin got the idea of reversing Lennon 's vocals and guitar , which he did with a clip from " Rain " . Lennon then liked the effect and kept it . Regardless , " Rain " was the first song to feature a backmasked message : " Sunshine … Rain … When the rain comes , they run and hide their heads " ( listen ; the last line is the reversed first verse of the song ) . 
