The curious tale of a West German band, a power ballad and the CIA

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The curious tale of a West German band, a power ballad and the CIA
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After a few episodes of “Wind of Change”, the notion that “the Company” might write a soft-rock hit for Scorpions does not sound risible

THE SONG begins with plaintive melodic whistling, the sort of theme produced by the hero of a Spaghetti Western as he walks into the sunset. Electric guitars and synthesisers provide backing chords and gentle licks, before the rasping voice of the lead singer begins: “I follow the Moskva / Down to Gorky Park / Listening to the wind of change…”

That, at least, is the official story. In an enjoyable new podcast, Patrick Radden Keefe, a journalist, investigates a different tale about the song’s origin: that it was written by the CIA. Years ago, a former CIA officer disclosed to “Michael”, a friend of Mr Radden Keefe’s, that the song was part of a psychological operation to promote change in the Soviet Union. Intrigued, and since Michael’s tips had often proved worthwhile, Mr Radden Keefe researched the story on and off for a decade.

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