Over 40 years ago, someone recorded a song off the radio onto a cassette tape.
This was pretty common in the 1980s, but now all details about the song have disappeared, leading online investigators to label it as a lostwave – a track without any attached information. No one knows who performed it, where it was made, or even what it’s really called.
For now, it’s referred to as CIA.
People on the internet have been digging into its backstory for years, and their search has reached the Waterloo region in southern Ontario. Some are hopeful that locals might have some clues.
Joe Gaschler is among the moderators of a forum focused on uncovering lostwave songs on Reddit.
“One of the main songs we’ve been trying to research goes by the placeholder title CIA because that’s one of the words featured in it,” he explained.
“It’s like a 42-year-old Canadian musical mystery.”
Gaschler mentioned there are “literally thousands of people who’ve played some part to try to find out who this band could be,” whether by listening closely for hints or responding to queries from these amateur music detectives.
“There’s quite an active online community now,” he said.
Here’s what they know:
The song aired on CFNY-FM, which is now known as 102.1 The Edge. They believe it was recorded onto tape around the mid-1980s, possibly in 1984.
That’s all they’ve got. That’s everything they know.
Do you happen know anything about this song?
You can join sub-Reddit CIAlostwave send email CBC K-W newskw@cbc. ca provide any info!
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A Classic ’80s Sound
The song captures that classic mid-1980s sound that might remind listeners of groups like A Flock of Seagulls, Platinum Blonde, The Cure, The Romantics or Duran Duran. Gaschler noted that “pretty much everyone in Toronto” familiar with the ’80s music scene has been asked about this tune. “The search has now extended possibly into Kitchener-Waterloo,” he mentioned, with theories suggesting that the band could be “from somewhere just outside of the Greater Toronto Area.” WATCH | Listen to CIA:This Mystery’s Been Ongoing for Years
The song was first uploaded to You Tube by user DJFormaldehyde on July 20, 2020, after being shared on Reddit by another user named datafreq earlier that February. A post from DJFormaldehyde on Reddit in 2024 described how they’ve spoken with many individuals connected to CFNY-FM and several musicians over time. “I feel like we’re still miles away from figuring this out,” DJFormaldehyde shared in that post. One person DJFormaldehyde consulted is Alan Cross, a veteran broadcaster and music writer who used to be a music director at CFNY-FM. Initially, Cross thought it might be another lostwave track from the ’80s known as one of internet’s biggest mysteries. That track was identified in 2024 as Subways of Your Mind by German band Fex. WATCH | Subways of Your Mind was identified as a lostwave in 2024: Cross has written about CIA on his own website and asked for help identifying it. He told he’s also talked with former staff at CFNY-FM including Liz Janick who hosted Streets of Ontario and Ivor Hamilton from The Original Import Show. Neither had any knowledge about this particular track. “There’s no record of it anywhere. Trust me,” Cross remarked while noting he keeps the station’s archives at his home. “The people who would likely have played it don’t know anything about it. It’s possible everything has been misremembered and turned into its own legend.”The Search Goes On
The individuals hunting for answers regarding CIA have devoted countless hours following leads. They’re motivated by other solved lostwave puzzles like Subways of Your Mind and another case solved in 2023 called How Long Will It Take which Reddit users discovered was actually created by Vancouver artist Paula Toledo...The Reddit subforum includes users analyzing vocals used instruments asking if they can hear conversation within the recording itself or discussing contests from back then such as Great Ontario Talent Search...
No evidence has yet pointed them towards identifying who sings or plays on this track...
An ‘Interesting Paradox’ Surrounding This Song
. Kate Galloway serves as an assistant professor specializing in popular music at Wilfrid Laurier University located within Waterloo. She mentioned given all “forensic listening” performed by fans surrounding this tune; it’s surprising no details have surfaced yet. “[It’s] such an interesting paradox brought forth through our digital age because we often hear how much easier access music is than ever before; making identification possible.” “Yet sometimes pinpointing creators behind specific recordings remains surprisingly tricky based upon their journey onto online platforms while simultaneously being difficult for artists’ anonymity lasting indefinitely.” Nowadays folks can just ask smart devices or use apps like Shazam when tracking down songs but Gaschler remarked if things were simple they wouldn’t still be searching. “You’ll come across those who’ve sampled parts claimed ownership yet locating actual band behind original remains elusive.”A Community Forms Around This Quest for Origin
. Galloway shared part joy derived from discovering lostwave artists comes through building communities formed through digital breadcrumbs ideally leading them back towards true musicianship. “There’s definitely nostalgic essence tied up within cases such as these,” she stated. “As long stays unsolved social engagement flourishes.” And hence numerous fandom communities centered around both popular music appreciation alongside forensic analysis find roots sustaining delightfully amidst collaborative efforts.”“Once resolved interactions garnered diminish evaporating sense belonging”.
Alan Cross expresses uncertainty regarding whether CIA will see resolution anytime soon mentioning “Given current era where virtually every query answered instantaneously info lies fingertips refreshing element mystery occasionally arises.”If asked whether he’d mind remaining unaware regarding identity behind CIAGaschler chuckled gently replying
“Pursuing potential answers leaves remarkable impression”. “
“Thrilling aspect pertaining discoveries lie encountering hidden gems showcased oftentimes overlooked.” He affirmed noting playlists filled newfound fantastic tunes thanks searching process itself!
Do you happen know anything about this song?
You can join sub-Reddit CIAlostwave send email CBC K-W newskw@cbc. ca provide any info!
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