The search for one of the internet’s most mysterious songs may finally be over. A German band called FEX has been identified as the likely creators of the track, which was recorded off the radio in Germany in the early 1980s. The song, now known as “Subways of Your Mind,” first gained attention in 2007 when a snippet was uploaded to the internet by Lydia, the sister of the original recorder, Darius S.
from Wilhelmshaven, Germany. Darius had captured the song on a cassette tape labeled “cassette 4” while recording songs he liked off the radio in the ’80s. The quest to identify the song went viral in 2019 after a 16-year-old student from São Paulo, Brazil, shared it on YouTube and Reddit.
Thousands of devotees worked to uncover its origins, but the track remained unidentified for over a decade. The breakthrough came this week when Reddit user Marijn1412 discovered an old article about FEX while researching bands that played at a German music event called Hörfest.
German band FEX identified
Marijn1412 reached out to a member of FEX and learned that one of the band’s recordings was indeed titled “Subways of Your Mind.”
Michael Hädrich, who played keys and guitar for FEX, confirmed the discovery in interviews with German news outlets. He and his bandmates provided evidence including studio session recordings, live performance recordings, and eyewitness accounts from their former agent. Hädrich revealed that guitarist and singer Ture Rückwart developed the main idea for the song, which the band then polished in rehearsals.
The track held a special place in their repertoire due to its “mystical clarity” and dynamic composition. Excited by the rediscovery, Hädrich announced plans for FEX to reunite and re-record “Subways of Your Mind,” as well as produce a music video. The band is also considering a Reddit AMA session to engage directly with fans.
The identification of “Subways of Your Mind” marks a highlight in a year of lost music discoveries, following the recognition of another long-lost track, “Ulterior Motives,” from a 1986 film. For FEX, the next steps involve reuniting in Munich, where Hädrich now resides, to rekindle their musical collaboration after decades apart. While the internet mystery may be solved, a new chapter is just beginning for the band and their fans.
