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TORTURE BY MUSIC

The Walking Dead makes songwriter’s day by using his song for the torture of a favourite character

Jim Bianco said he thought it was ‘genius’ of the writers to use it for that particular scene

AN AMERICAN singer-songwriter’s career has been given a major boost thanks to The Walking Dead.

In the third episode of the new series of the zombie apocalypse drama, which aired last night in the US, a song is played during a scene involving character Daryl.

 Singer-songwriter Jim Bianco is thrilled one of his songs has been used in the latest episode of The Walking Dead
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Singer-songwriter Jim Bianco is thrilled one of his songs has been used in the latest episode of The Walking DeadCredit: Rex Features

(British fans, who won’t see the episode until 9pm tonight when it airs on Fox, might want to stop reading now to avoid any spoilers).

In the scene, Daryl, played by Norman Reedus, is being held in a cell by The Saviours, headed by the murderous Negan.

 The third episode, which aired last night in the US and in the UK tonight, sees the return of murderous Negan
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The third episode, which aired last night in the US and in the UK tonight, sees the return of murderous NeganCredit: AP:Associated Press

As a torture tactic, they play him music over and over again and one of the songs is called Easy Street by a little-known band called The Collapsable (sic) Hearts Club.

And speaking to the Independent, writer Jim Bianco said he was thrilled to hear his song used in the episode, even if it wasn’t exactly for a positive reason.

 In the third episode, entitled The Cell, Daryl is being held prisoner by The Saviours
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In the third episode, entitled The Cell, Daryl is being held prisoner by The SavioursCredit: AMC

He said: “Exactly how the song got into their hands is a mystery to me. But when they heard it, the show reached out and asked to use it.

"I didn't really understand why a show like The Walking Dead would want to use such an upbeat over-the-top, in your face "happy" song but now I understand - to torture someone, of course."

And Bianco, 40, doesn’t seem to mind that his song is being used to torture one of the fans of the show’s favourite characters – in fact, he thinks it was a “genius” idea.

He added: “I think the show used it brilliantly; framing such an upbeat song as a torture advice is a work of genius by the music supervisor.

"We're happy to be a part of such creative use of music in such an iconic show."

Bianco, who said the song is about “those rare moments in life when you're holding the winning card,” added: “The song just fell out of my mouth when I was driving one day. I can actually recall the moment quite clearly.

“I revisited that moment tonight when I was watching the episode - it's amazing to me that a fleeting moment a few years ago can make it into the ears of millions of people at once."

Tonight’s episode, entitled The Cell, sees the return of Negan, fresh from bludgeoning Abraham and Glenn to death, as well as the first look at The Saviours' compound the sanctuary.

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