diff --git a/stepmania/src/Background.cpp b/stepmania/src/Background.cpp
index 320ea9b02b..69ed8f670f 100644
--- a/stepmania/src/Background.cpp
+++ b/stepmania/src/Background.cpp
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@
 #include <float.h>
 #include "XmlFile.h"
 #include "BackgroundUtil.h"
+#include "song.h"
 
 ThemeMetric<float> LEFT_EDGE					("Background","LeftEdge");
 ThemeMetric<float> TOP_EDGE						("Background","TopEdge");
@@ -35,6 +36,99 @@ ThemeMetric<float> CLAMP_OUTPUT_PERCENT			("Background","ClampOutputPercent");
 
 static float g_fBackgroundCenterWidth = 40;	// What is this for? -Chris
 
+
+
+class BrightnessOverlay: public ActorFrame
+{
+public:
+	BrightnessOverlay();
+	void Update( float fDeltaTime );
+
+	void FadeToActualBrightness();
+	void SetActualBrightness();
+	void Set( float fBrightness );
+
+private:
+	Quad m_quadBGBrightness[NUM_PLAYERS];
+	Quad m_quadBGBrightnessFade;
+};
+
+struct BackgroundTransition
+{
+	apActorCommands cmdLeaves;
+	apActorCommands cmdRoot;
+};
+
+
+class BackgroundImpl : public ActorFrame
+{
+public:
+	BackgroundImpl();
+	~BackgroundImpl();
+	void Init();
+
+	virtual void LoadFromSong( const Song *pSong );
+	virtual void Unload();
+
+	virtual void Update( float fDeltaTime );
+	virtual void DrawPrimitives();
+
+	void FadeToActualBrightness() { m_Brightness.FadeToActualBrightness(); }
+	void SetBrightness( float fBrightness ) { m_Brightness.Set(fBrightness); } /* overrides pref and Cover */
+	
+	DancingCharacters* GetDancingCharacters() { return m_pDancingCharacters; };
+
+
+protected:
+	bool m_bInitted;
+	DancingCharacters*	m_pDancingCharacters;
+	const Song *m_pSong;
+	map<CString,BackgroundTransition> m_mapNameToTransition;
+	deque<BackgroundDef> m_RandomBGAnimations;	// random background to choose from.  These may or may not be loaded into m_BGAnimations.
+	
+	void LoadFromRandom( float fFirstBeat, float fLastBeat, const BackgroundChange &change );
+	bool IsDangerAllVisible();
+	
+	class Layer
+	{
+	public:
+		Layer();
+		void Unload();
+
+		// return true if created and added to m_BGAnimations
+		bool CreateBackground( const Song *pSong, const BackgroundDef &bd );
+		// return def of the background that was created and added to m_BGAnimations. calls CreateBackground
+		BackgroundDef CreateRandomBGA( const Song *pSong, deque<BackgroundDef> &RandomBGAnimations );
+
+		int FindBGSegmentForBeat( float fBeat ) const;
+		void UpdateCurBGChange( const Song *pSong, float fLastMusicSeconds, float fCurrentTime, const map<CString,BackgroundTransition> &mapNameToTransition );
+
+		map<BackgroundDef,Actor*> m_BGAnimations;
+		vector<BackgroundChange> m_aBGChanges;
+		int				m_iCurBGChangeIndex;
+		Actor *m_pCurrentBGA;
+		Actor *m_pFadingBGA;
+		float m_fSecsLeftInFade;
+	};
+	Layer m_Layer[NUM_BackgroundLayer];
+
+	float m_fLastMusicSeconds;
+
+	BGAnimation		m_DangerPlayer[NUM_PLAYERS];
+	BGAnimation		m_DangerAll;
+
+	BGAnimation		m_DeadPlayer[NUM_PLAYERS];
+	
+	// cover up the edge of animations that might hang outside of the background rectangle
+	Quad m_quadBorderLeft, m_quadBorderTop, m_quadBorderRight, m_quadBorderBottom;
+
+	BrightnessOverlay m_Brightness;
+
+	BackgroundDef STATIC_BACKGROUND_DEF;
+};
+
+
+
 static RageColor GetBrightnessColor( float fBrightnessPercent )
 {
 	RageColor cBrightness = RageColor( 0,0,0,1-fBrightnessPercent );
@@ -51,14 +145,14 @@ static RageColor GetBrightnessColor( float fBrightnessPercent )
 	return ret;
 }
 
-Background::Background()
+BackgroundImpl::BackgroundImpl()
 {
 	m_bInitted = false;
 	m_pDancingCharacters = NULL;
 	m_pSong = NULL;
 }
 
-Background::Layer::Layer()
+BackgroundImpl::Layer::Layer()
 {
 	m_iCurBGChangeIndex = -1;
 	m_pCurrentBGA = NULL;
@@ -66,7 +160,7 @@ Background::Layer::Layer()
 	m_fSecsLeftInFade = 0;
 }
 
-void Background::Init()
+void BackgroundImpl::Init()
 {
 	if( m_bInitted )
 		return;
@@ -139,22 +233,22 @@ void Background::Init()
 	this->AddChild( &m_Brightness );
 }
 
-Background::~Background()
+BackgroundImpl::~BackgroundImpl()
 {
 	Unload();
 	delete m_pDancingCharacters;
 }
 
-void Background::Unload()
+void BackgroundImpl::Unload()
 {
-	for( int i=0; i<NUM_BACKGROUND_LAYERS; i++ )
+	FOREACH_BackgroundLayer( i )
 		m_Layer[i].Unload();
 	m_pSong = NULL;
 	m_fLastMusicSeconds	= -9999;
 	m_RandomBGAnimations.clear();
 }
 
-void Background::Layer::Unload()
+void BackgroundImpl::Layer::Unload()
 {
     for( map<BackgroundDef,Actor*>::iterator iter = m_BGAnimations.begin();
 		 iter != m_BGAnimations.end();
@@ -201,7 +295,7 @@ Actor *MakeMovie( const CString &sMoviePath )
 	return pSprite;
 }
 
-bool Background::Layer::CreateBackground( const Song *pSong, const BackgroundDef &bd )
+bool BackgroundImpl::Layer::CreateBackground( const Song *pSong, const BackgroundDef &bd )
 {
 	ASSERT( m_BGAnimations.find(bd) == m_BGAnimations.end() );
 
@@ -300,7 +394,7 @@ bool Background::Layer::CreateBackground( const Song *pSong, const BackgroundDef
 	return true;
 }
 
-BackgroundDef Background::Layer::CreateRandomBGA( const Song *pSong, deque<BackgroundDef> &RandomBGAnimations )
+BackgroundDef BackgroundImpl::Layer::CreateRandomBGA( const Song *pSong, deque<BackgroundDef> &RandomBGAnimations )
 {
 	if( PREFSMAN->m_BackgroundMode == PrefsManager::BGMODE_OFF )
 		return BackgroundDef();
@@ -325,7 +419,7 @@ BackgroundDef Background::Layer::CreateRandomBGA( const Song *pSong, deque<Backg
 	return bd;
 }
 
-void Background::LoadFromRandom( float fFirstBeat, float fLastBeat, const BackgroundChange &change )
+void BackgroundImpl::LoadFromRandom( float fFirstBeat, float fLastBeat, const BackgroundChange &change )
 {
 	const TimingData &timing = m_pSong->m_Timing;
 
@@ -337,7 +431,7 @@ void Background::LoadFromRandom( float fFirstBeat, float fLastBeat, const Backgr
 		if( !bd.IsEmpty() )
 		{
 			BackgroundChange c = change;
-			(BackgroundDef&)c = bd;
+			c.m_def = bd;
 			c.m_fStartBeat = f;
 			m_Layer[0].m_aBGChanges.push_back( c );
 		}
@@ -360,14 +454,14 @@ void Background::LoadFromRandom( float fFirstBeat, float fLastBeat, const Backgr
 		if( !bd.IsEmpty() )
 		{
 			BackgroundChange c = change;
-			(BackgroundDef&)c = bd;
+			c.m_def = bd;
 			c.m_fStartBeat = NoteRowToBeat(bpmseg.m_iStartIndex);
 			m_Layer[0].m_aBGChanges.push_back( c );
 		}
 	}
 }
 
-void Background::LoadFromSong( const Song* pSong )
+void BackgroundImpl::LoadFromSong( const Song* pSong )
 {
 	Init();
 	Unload();
@@ -425,15 +519,15 @@ void Background::LoadFromSong( const Song* pSong )
 
 	if( pSong->HasBGChanges() )
 	{
-		for( int i=0; i<NUM_BACKGROUND_LAYERS; i++ )
+		FOREACH_BackgroundLayer( i )
 		{
 			Layer &layer = m_Layer[i];
 
 			// Load all song-specified backgrounds
-			FOREACH_CONST( BackgroundChange, pSong->m_BackgroundChanges[i], bgc )
+			FOREACH_CONST( BackgroundChange, pSong->GetBackgroundChanges(i), bgc )
 			{
 				BackgroundChange change = *bgc;
-				BackgroundDef &bd = change;
+				BackgroundDef &bd = change.m_def;
 				
 				bool bIsAlreadyLoaded = layer.m_BGAnimations.find(bd) != layer.m_BGAnimations.end();
 
@@ -475,7 +569,7 @@ void Background::LoadFromSong( const Song* pSong )
 
 		
 	// sort segments
-	for( int i=0; i<NUM_BACKGROUND_LAYERS; i++ )
+	FOREACH_BackgroundLayer( i )
 	{
 		Layer &layer = m_Layer[i];
 		BackgroundUtil::SortBackgroundChangesArray( layer.m_aBGChanges );
@@ -497,12 +591,12 @@ void Background::LoadFromSong( const Song* pSong )
 
 	// If any BGChanges use the background image, load it.
 	bool bStaticBackgroundUsed = false;
-	for( int i=0; i<NUM_BACKGROUND_LAYERS; i++ )
+	FOREACH_BackgroundLayer( i )
 	{
 		Layer &layer = m_Layer[i];
 		FOREACH_CONST( BackgroundChange, layer.m_aBGChanges, bgc )
 		{
-			const BackgroundDef &bd = *bgc;
+			const BackgroundDef &bd = bgc->m_def;
 			if( bd == STATIC_BACKGROUND_DEF )
 			{
 				bStaticBackgroundUsed = true;
@@ -524,7 +618,7 @@ void Background::LoadFromSong( const Song* pSong )
 	for( unsigned i=0; i<mainlayer.m_aBGChanges.size(); i++ )
 	{
 		const BackgroundChange change = mainlayer.m_aBGChanges[i];
-		if( change.m_sFile1 != RANDOM_BACKGROUND_FILE )
+		if( change.m_def.m_sFile1 != RANDOM_BACKGROUND_FILE )
 			continue;
 
 		const float fStartBeat = change.m_fStartBeat;
@@ -538,7 +632,7 @@ void Background::LoadFromSong( const Song* pSong )
 
 	// At this point, we shouldn't have any BGChanges to "".  "" is an invalid name.
 	for( unsigned i=0; i<mainlayer.m_aBGChanges.size(); i++ )
-		ASSERT( !mainlayer.m_aBGChanges[i].m_sFile1.empty() );
+		ASSERT( !mainlayer.m_aBGChanges[i].m_def.m_sFile1.empty() );
 
 
 	// Re-sort.
@@ -587,7 +681,7 @@ void Background::LoadFromSong( const Song* pSong )
 	}
 }
 
-int Background::Layer::FindBGSegmentForBeat( float fBeat ) const
+int BackgroundImpl::Layer::FindBGSegmentForBeat( float fBeat ) const
 {
 	if( m_aBGChanges.empty() )
 		return -1;
@@ -606,7 +700,7 @@ int Background::Layer::FindBGSegmentForBeat( float fBeat ) const
 }
 
 /* If the BG segment has changed, move focus to it.  Send Update() calls. */
-void Background::Layer::UpdateCurBGChange( const Song *pSong, float fLastMusicSeconds, float fCurrentTime, const map<CString,BackgroundTransition> &mapNameToTransition )
+void BackgroundImpl::Layer::UpdateCurBGChange( const Song *pSong, float fLastMusicSeconds, float fCurrentTime, const map<CString,BackgroundTransition> &mapNameToTransition )
 {
 	ASSERT( fCurrentTime != GameState::MUSIC_SECONDS_INVALID );
 
@@ -634,7 +728,7 @@ void Background::Layer::UpdateCurBGChange( const Song *pSong, float fLastMusicSe
 
 		m_pFadingBGA = m_pCurrentBGA;
 
-		map<BackgroundDef,Actor*>::const_iterator iter = m_BGAnimations.find( (BackgroundDef)change );
+		map<BackgroundDef,Actor*>::const_iterator iter = m_BGAnimations.find( change.m_def );
 		ASSERT( iter != m_BGAnimations.end() );
 		m_pCurrentBGA = iter->second;
 
@@ -694,7 +788,7 @@ void Background::Layer::UpdateCurBGChange( const Song *pSong, float fLastMusicSe
 		m_pFadingBGA->Update( fDeltaTimeMusicRate );
 }
 
-void Background::Update( float fDeltaTime )
+void BackgroundImpl::Update( float fDeltaTime )
 {
 	ActorFrame::Update( fDeltaTime );
 
@@ -719,7 +813,7 @@ void Background::Update( float fDeltaTime )
 	 * Otherwise, we'll stop updating movies during danger (which may stop them from
 	 * playing), and we won't start clips at the right time, which will throw backgrounds
 	 * off sync. */
-	for( int i=0; i<NUM_BACKGROUND_LAYERS; i++ )
+	FOREACH_BackgroundLayer( i )
 	{
 		Layer &layer = m_Layer[i];
 		layer.UpdateCurBGChange( m_pSong, m_fLastMusicSeconds, GAMESTATE->m_fMusicSeconds, m_mapNameToTransition );
@@ -727,7 +821,7 @@ void Background::Update( float fDeltaTime )
 	m_fLastMusicSeconds = GAMESTATE->m_fMusicSeconds;
 }
 
-void Background::DrawPrimitives()
+void BackgroundImpl::DrawPrimitives()
 {
 	if( PREFSMAN->m_fBGBrightness == 0.0f )
 		return;
@@ -745,7 +839,7 @@ void Background::DrawPrimitives()
 		if( m_pDancingCharacters )
 			m_pDancingCharacters->m_bDrawDangerLight = false;
 		
-		for( int i=0; i<NUM_BACKGROUND_LAYERS; i++ )
+		FOREACH_BackgroundLayer( i )
 		{
 			Layer &layer = m_Layer[i];
 			if( layer.m_pCurrentBGA )
@@ -769,7 +863,7 @@ void Background::DrawPrimitives()
 	ActorFrame::DrawPrimitives();
 }
 
-bool Background::IsDangerAllVisible()
+bool BackgroundImpl::IsDangerAllVisible()
 {
 	FOREACH_PlayerNumber( p )
 		if( GAMESTATE->GetPlayerFailType(p) == SongOptions::FAIL_OFF )
@@ -859,6 +953,18 @@ void BrightnessOverlay::FadeToActualBrightness()
 	SetActualBrightness();
 }
 
+
+
+Background::Background()	{ m_pImpl = new BackgroundImpl; this->AddChild(m_pImpl); }
+Background::~Background()	{ SAFE_DELETE( m_pImpl ); }
+void Background::Init()		{ m_pImpl->Init(); }
+void Background::LoadFromSong( const Song *pSong )		{ m_pImpl->LoadFromSong(pSong); }
+void Background::Unload()								{ m_pImpl->Unload(); }
+void Background::FadeToActualBrightness()				{ m_pImpl->FadeToActualBrightness(); }
+void Background::SetBrightness( float fBrightness )		{ m_pImpl->SetBrightness(fBrightness); }
+DancingCharacters* Background::GetDancingCharacters()	{ return m_pImpl->GetDancingCharacters(); }
+
+
 /*
  * (c) 2001-2004 Chris Danford, Ben Nordstrom
  * All rights reserved.
diff --git a/stepmania/src/Background.h b/stepmania/src/Background.h
index b4887e5125..732f799784 100644
--- a/stepmania/src/Background.h
+++ b/stepmania/src/Background.h
@@ -3,36 +3,17 @@
 #ifndef BACKGROUND_H
 #define BACKGROUND_H
 
-#include "Sprite.h"
-#include "Quad.h"
 #include "ActorFrame.h"
+#include "Quad.h"
 #include "BGAnimation.h"
-#include "song.h"
+#include "PlayerNumber.h"
+#include "BackgroundUtil.h"
 #include <deque>
 #include <map>
 
 class DancingCharacters;
-
-class BrightnessOverlay: public ActorFrame
-{
-public:
-	BrightnessOverlay();
-	void Update( float fDeltaTime );
-
-	void FadeToActualBrightness();
-	void SetActualBrightness();
-	void Set( float fBrightness );
-
-private:
-	Quad m_quadBGBrightness[NUM_PLAYERS];
-	Quad m_quadBGBrightnessFade;
-};
-
-struct BackgroundTransition
-{
-	apActorCommands cmdLeaves;
-	apActorCommands cmdRoot;
-};
+class Song;
+class BackgroundImpl;
 
 class Background : public ActorFrame
 {
@@ -44,61 +25,13 @@ public:
 	virtual void LoadFromSong( const Song *pSong );
 	virtual void Unload();
 
-	virtual void Update( float fDeltaTime );
-	virtual void DrawPrimitives();
-
-	void FadeToActualBrightness() { m_Brightness.FadeToActualBrightness(); }
-	void SetBrightness( float fBrightness ) { m_Brightness.Set(fBrightness); } /* overrides pref and Cover */
+	void FadeToActualBrightness();
+	void SetBrightness( float fBrightness ); /* overrides pref and Cover */
 	
-	DancingCharacters* GetDancingCharacters() { return m_pDancingCharacters; };
-
+	DancingCharacters* GetDancingCharacters();
 
 protected:
-	bool m_bInitted;
-	DancingCharacters*	m_pDancingCharacters;
-	const Song *m_pSong;
-	map<CString,BackgroundTransition> m_mapNameToTransition;
-	deque<BackgroundDef> m_RandomBGAnimations;	// random background to choose from.  These may or may not be loaded into m_BGAnimations.
-	
-	void LoadFromRandom( float fFirstBeat, float fLastBeat, const BackgroundChange &change );
-	bool IsDangerAllVisible();
-	
-	class Layer
-	{
-	public:
-		Layer();
-		void Unload();
-
-		// return true if created and added to m_BGAnimations
-		bool CreateBackground( const Song *pSong, const BackgroundDef &bd );
-		// return def of the background that was created and added to m_BGAnimations. calls CreateBackground
-		BackgroundDef CreateRandomBGA( const Song *pSong, deque<BackgroundDef> &RandomBGAnimations );
-
-		int FindBGSegmentForBeat( float fBeat ) const;
-		void UpdateCurBGChange( const Song *pSong, float fLastMusicSeconds, float fCurrentTime, const map<CString,BackgroundTransition> &mapNameToTransition );
-
-		map<BackgroundDef,Actor*> m_BGAnimations;
-		vector<BackgroundChange> m_aBGChanges;
-		int				m_iCurBGChangeIndex;
-		Actor *m_pCurrentBGA;
-		Actor *m_pFadingBGA;
-		float m_fSecsLeftInFade;
-	};
-	Layer m_Layer[NUM_BACKGROUND_LAYERS];
-
-	float m_fLastMusicSeconds;
-
-	BGAnimation		m_DangerPlayer[NUM_PLAYERS];
-	BGAnimation		m_DangerAll;
-
-	BGAnimation		m_DeadPlayer[NUM_PLAYERS];
-	
-	// cover up the edge of animations that might hang outside of the background rectangle
-	Quad m_quadBorderLeft, m_quadBorderTop, m_quadBorderRight, m_quadBorderBottom;
-
-	BrightnessOverlay m_Brightness;
-
-	BackgroundDef STATIC_BACKGROUND_DEF;
+	BackgroundImpl *m_pImpl;
 };
 
 
diff --git a/stepmania/src/BackgroundUtil.cpp b/stepmania/src/BackgroundUtil.cpp
index 509002126f..c32186a8c1 100644
--- a/stepmania/src/BackgroundUtil.cpp
+++ b/stepmania/src/BackgroundUtil.cpp
@@ -185,7 +185,7 @@ void BackgroundUtil::GetGlobalRandomMovies( const Song *pSong, const CString &sM
 		if( !vsPathsOut.empty() )
 			goto found_files;
 		
-		if( sMatch != "-nosongbg-" )
+		if( sMatch != NO_SONG_BG_FILE )
 			LOG->Warn( "Background missing: %s", sMatch.c_str() );
 	}
 
diff --git a/stepmania/src/BackgroundUtil.h b/stepmania/src/BackgroundUtil.h
index e41dd83920..e65dff8443 100644
--- a/stepmania/src/BackgroundUtil.h
+++ b/stepmania/src/BackgroundUtil.h
@@ -12,7 +12,8 @@ const CString SBE_StretchRewind		= "StretchRewind";
 const CString SBT_CrossFade			= "CrossFade";
 
 const CString RANDOM_BACKGROUND_FILE = "-random-";
-const CString SONG_BACKGROUND_FILE = "songbackground";
+const CString NO_SONG_BG_FILE		= "-nosongbg-";
+const CString SONG_BACKGROUND_FILE	= "songbackground";
 
 struct BackgroundDef
 {
@@ -41,7 +42,7 @@ struct BackgroundDef
 	CString m_sFile2;	// may be ""
 };
 
-struct BackgroundChange : public BackgroundDef
+struct BackgroundChange
 {
 	BackgroundChange()
 	{
@@ -58,12 +59,13 @@ struct BackgroundChange : public BackgroundDef
 		)
 	{
 		m_fStartBeat=s;
-		m_sFile1=f1;
-		m_sFile2=f2;
+		m_def.m_sFile1=f1;
+		m_def.m_sFile2=f2;
 		m_fRate=r;
-		m_sEffect=e;
+		m_def.m_sEffect=e;
 		m_sTransition=t;
 	}
+	BackgroundDef m_def;
 	float m_fStartBeat;
 	float m_fRate;
 	CString m_sTransition;
diff --git a/stepmania/src/DifficultyDisplay.cpp b/stepmania/src/DifficultyDisplay.cpp
index 746d8818ab..c13b211908 100644
--- a/stepmania/src/DifficultyDisplay.cpp
+++ b/stepmania/src/DifficultyDisplay.cpp
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 #include "song.h"
 #include "ThemeMetric.h"
 #include "Command.h"
+#include "RageUtil.h"
 
 ThemeMetric<apActorCommands>  ICONONCOMMAND	("DifficultyDisplay","IconOnCommand");
 ThemeMetric<apActorCommands>  ICONOFFCOMMAND	("DifficultyDisplay","IconOffCommand");
diff --git a/stepmania/src/Foreground.cpp b/stepmania/src/Foreground.cpp
index ab54ba108a..e35b82c183 100644
--- a/stepmania/src/Foreground.cpp
+++ b/stepmania/src/Foreground.cpp
@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@
 #include "RageTextureManager.h"
 #include "ActorUtil.h"
 #include "song.h"
+#include "BackgroundUtil.h"
+#include "Foreach.h"
 
 Foreground::~Foreground()
 {
@@ -29,10 +31,10 @@ void Foreground::LoadFromSong( const Song *pSong )
 	TEXTUREMAN->SetDefaultTexturePolicy( RageTextureID::TEX_VOLATILE );
 
 	m_pSong = pSong;
-	for( unsigned i=0; i<pSong->m_ForegroundChanges.size(); i++ )
+	FOREACH_CONST( BackgroundChange, pSong->GetForegroundChanges(), bgc )
 	{
-		const BackgroundChange &change = pSong->m_ForegroundChanges[i];
-		CString sBGName = change.m_sFile1;
+		const BackgroundChange &change = *bgc;
+		CString sBGName = change.m_def.m_sFile1;
 		
 		LoadedBGA bga;
 		bga.m_bga = ActorUtil::MakeActor( pSong->GetSongDir() + sBGName );
diff --git a/stepmania/src/Foreground.h b/stepmania/src/Foreground.h
index b3aa2834af..716b9cea0b 100644
--- a/stepmania/src/Foreground.h
+++ b/stepmania/src/Foreground.h
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 #include "ActorFrame.h"
 
 class Song;
+
 class Foreground: public ActorFrame
 {
 public:
diff --git a/stepmania/src/MusicList.cpp b/stepmania/src/MusicList.cpp
index 6327a925fe..11316147f9 100644
--- a/stepmania/src/MusicList.cpp
+++ b/stepmania/src/MusicList.cpp
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 #include "MusicList.h"
 #include "ThemeManager.h"
 #include "ThemeMetric.h"
+#include "RageUtil.h"
 
 /* If this actor is used anywhere other than SelectGroup, we
  * can add a setting that changes which metric group we pull
diff --git a/stepmania/src/NoteField.cpp b/stepmania/src/NoteField.cpp
index f9229ade23..4838db4e2d 100644
--- a/stepmania/src/NoteField.cpp
+++ b/stepmania/src/NoteField.cpp
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@
 #include "Style.h"
 #include "CommonMetrics.h"
 #include <float.h>
+#include "BackgroundUtil.h"
 
 NoteField::NoteField()
 {	
@@ -533,18 +534,18 @@ void NoteField::DrawPrimitives()
 			break;
 		case EDIT_MODE_FULL:
 			{
-				vector<BackgroundChange>::iterator iter[NUM_BACKGROUND_LAYERS];
-				for( int i=0; i<NUM_BACKGROUND_LAYERS; i++ )
-					iter[i] = GAMESTATE->m_pCurSong->m_BackgroundChanges[i].begin();
+				vector<BackgroundChange>::iterator iter[NUM_BackgroundLayer];
+				FOREACH_BackgroundLayer( i )
+					iter[i] = GAMESTATE->m_pCurSong->GetBackgroundChanges(i).begin();
 
 				while( 1 )
 				{
 					float fLowestBeat = FLT_MAX;
-					vector<int> viLowestIndex;
+					vector<BackgroundLayer> viLowestIndex;
 
-					for( int i=0; i<NUM_BACKGROUND_LAYERS; i++ )
+					FOREACH_BackgroundLayer( i )
 					{
-						if( iter[i] == GAMESTATE->m_pCurSong->m_BackgroundChanges[i].end() )
+						if( iter[i] == GAMESTATE->m_pCurSong->GetBackgroundChanges(i).end() )
 							continue;
 
 						float fBeat = iter[i]->m_fStartBeat;
@@ -566,23 +567,23 @@ void NoteField::DrawPrimitives()
 					if( IS_ON_SCREEN(fLowestBeat) )
 					{
 						vector<CString> vs;
-						FOREACH_CONST( int, viLowestIndex, i )
+						FOREACH_CONST( BackgroundLayer, viLowestIndex, i )
 						{
-							ASSERT( iter[*i] != GAMESTATE->m_pCurSong->m_BackgroundChanges[*i].end() );
+							ASSERT( iter[*i] != GAMESTATE->m_pCurSong->GetBackgroundChanges(*i).end() );
 
 							const BackgroundChange& change = *iter[*i];
 							vs.push_back( ssprintf("%s%s%s%s%s%s",
 								((*i!=0) ? ssprintf("%d: ",*i) : CString()).c_str(),
-								(!change.m_sFile1.empty() ? " "+change.m_sFile1 : CString()).c_str(),
-								(!change.m_sFile2.empty() ? " "+change.m_sFile2 : CString()).c_str(),
+								(!change.m_def.m_sFile1.empty() ? " "+change.m_def.m_sFile1 : CString()).c_str(),
+								(!change.m_def.m_sFile2.empty() ? " "+change.m_def.m_sFile2 : CString()).c_str(),
 								((change.m_fRate!=1.0f) ? ssprintf("%.2f%%",change.m_fRate*100) : CString()).c_str(),
 								(!change.m_sTransition.empty() ? " "+change.m_sTransition : CString()).c_str(),
-								(!change.m_sEffect.empty() ? " "+change.m_sEffect : CString()).c_str()
+								(!change.m_def.m_sEffect.empty() ? " "+change.m_def.m_sEffect : CString()).c_str()
 								) );
 						}
 						DrawBGChangeText( fLowestBeat, join("\n",vs) );
 					}
-					FOREACH_CONST( int, viLowestIndex, i )
+					FOREACH_CONST( BackgroundLayer, viLowestIndex, i )
 						iter[*i]++;
 				}
 			}
diff --git a/stepmania/src/NotesLoaderSM.cpp b/stepmania/src/NotesLoaderSM.cpp
index fc210c26cf..dc1fd98835 100644
--- a/stepmania/src/NotesLoaderSM.cpp
+++ b/stepmania/src/NotesLoaderSM.cpp
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
 #include "SongManager.h"
 #include "RageFileManager.h"
 #include "NoteTypes.h"
+#include "BackgroundUtil.h"
 
 #define MAX_EDIT_SIZE_BYTES  20*1024	// 20 KB
 
@@ -170,20 +171,20 @@ bool LoadFromBGChangesString( BackgroundChange &change, const CString &sBGChange
 
 		// m_sEffect may be overwritten by param 7 below.
 		if( bRewindMovie )
-			change.m_sEffect = SBE_StretchRewind;
+			change.m_def.m_sEffect = SBE_StretchRewind;
 		if( !bLoop )
-			change.m_sEffect = SBE_StretchNoLoop;
+			change.m_def.m_sEffect = SBE_StretchNoLoop;
 	}
 	if( aBGChangeValues.size() >= 9 )
 	{
-		change.m_sEffect = aBGChangeValues[6];
-		change.m_sFile2 = aBGChangeValues[7];
+		change.m_def.m_sEffect = aBGChangeValues[6];
+		change.m_def.m_sFile2 = aBGChangeValues[7];
 		change.m_sTransition = aBGChangeValues[8];
 	}
 	if( aBGChangeValues.size() >= 2 )
 	{
 		change.m_fStartBeat = strtof( aBGChangeValues[0], NULL );
-		change.m_sFile1 = aBGChangeValues[1];
+		change.m_def.m_sFile1 = aBGChangeValues[1];
 		return true;
 	}
 	else
@@ -334,10 +335,10 @@ bool SMLoader::LoadFromSMFile( CString sPath, Song &out )
 
 		else if( sValueName=="BGCHANGES" || sValueName=="ANIMATIONS" )
 		{
-			int iLayer = 0;
+			BackgroundLayer iLayer = BACKGROUND_LAYER_1;
 			sscanf( sValueName, "BGCHANGES%d", &iLayer );
 
-			if( iLayer < 0 && iLayer >= NUM_BACKGROUND_LAYERS )
+			if( iLayer < 0 && iLayer >= NUM_BackgroundLayer )
 			{
 				LOG->Warn( "The song file '%s' has a BGCHANGES tag '%s' that is out of range.", sPath.c_str(), sValueName.c_str() );
 			}
@@ -548,7 +549,7 @@ void SMLoader::TidyUpData( Song &song, bool cache )
 	 * have to add an explicit song BG tag if they want it.  This is really a
 	 * formatting hack only; nothing outside of SMLoader ever sees "-nosongbg-".
 	 */
-	vector<BackgroundChange> &bg = song.m_BackgroundChanges[0];
+	vector<BackgroundChange> &bg = song.GetBackgroundChanges(BACKGROUND_LAYER_1);
 	if( !bg.empty() )
 	{
 		/* BGChanges have been sorted.  On the odd chance that a BGChange exists
@@ -557,7 +558,7 @@ void SMLoader::TidyUpData( Song &song, bool cache )
 
 		for( unsigned i = 0; !bHasNoSongBgTag && i < bg.size(); ++i )
 		{
-			if( !bg[i].m_sFile1.CompareNoCase("-nosongbg-") )
+			if( !bg[i].m_def.m_sFile1.CompareNoCase(NO_SONG_BG_FILE) )
 			{
 				bg.erase( bg.begin()+i );
 				bHasNoSongBgTag = true;
@@ -578,7 +579,7 @@ void SMLoader::TidyUpData( Song &song, bool cache )
 				break;
 
 			/* If the last BGA is already the song BGA, don't add a duplicate. */
-			if( !bg.empty() && !bg.back().m_sFile1.CompareNoCase(song.m_sBackgroundFile) )
+			if( !bg.empty() && !bg.back().m_def.m_sFile1.CompareNoCase(song.m_sBackgroundFile) )
 				break;
 
 			if( !IsAFile( song.GetBackgroundPath() ) )
diff --git a/stepmania/src/NotesWriterSM.cpp b/stepmania/src/NotesWriterSM.cpp
index 38d90aae13..940778b503 100644
--- a/stepmania/src/NotesWriterSM.cpp
+++ b/stepmania/src/NotesWriterSM.cpp
@@ -11,19 +11,20 @@
 #include <cstring>
 #include <cerrno>
 #include "Foreach.h"
+#include "BackgroundUtil.h"
 
 static CString BackgroundChangeToString( const BackgroundChange &bgc )
 {
 	return ssprintf( 
 		"%.3f=%s=%.3f=%d=%d=%d=%s=%s=%s,", 
 		bgc.m_fStartBeat, 
-		bgc.m_sFile1.c_str(), 
+		bgc.m_def.m_sFile1.c_str(), 
 		bgc.m_fRate, 
 		bgc.m_sTransition == SBT_CrossFade,		// backward compat
-		bgc.m_sEffect == SBE_StretchRewind, 	// backward compat
-		bgc.m_sEffect != SBE_StretchNoLoop, 	// backward compat
-		bgc.m_sEffect.c_str(), 
-		bgc.m_sFile2.c_str(), 
+		bgc.m_def.m_sEffect == SBE_StretchRewind, 	// backward compat
+		bgc.m_def.m_sEffect != SBE_StretchNoLoop, 	// backward compat
+		bgc.m_def.m_sEffect.c_str(), 
+		bgc.m_def.m_sFile2.c_str(), 
 		bgc.m_sTransition.c_str()
 		);
 }
@@ -95,31 +96,31 @@ void NotesWriterSM::WriteGlobalTags( RageFile &f, const Song &out )
 	}
 	f.PutLine( ";" );
 
-	for( int b=0; b<NUM_BACKGROUND_LAYERS; b++ )
+	FOREACH_BackgroundLayer( b )
 	{
 		if( b==0 )
 			f.Write( "#BGCHANGES:" );
-		else if( out.m_BackgroundChanges[b].empty() )
+		else if( out.GetBackgroundChanges(b).empty() )
 			continue;	// skip
 		else
 			f.Write( ssprintf("#BGCHANGES%d:", b) );
 
-		FOREACH_CONST( BackgroundChange, out.m_BackgroundChanges[b], bgc )
+		FOREACH_CONST( BackgroundChange, out.GetBackgroundChanges(b), bgc )
 			f.PutLine( BackgroundChangeToString(*bgc) );
 
 		/* If there's an animation plan at all, add a dummy "-nosongbg-" tag to indicate that
 		 * this file doesn't want a song BG entry added at the end.  See SMLoader::TidyUpData.
 		 * This tag will be removed on load.  Add it at a very high beat, so it won't cause
 		 * problems if loaded in older versions. */
-		if( b==0 && !out.m_BackgroundChanges[b].empty() )
+		if( b==0 && !out.GetBackgroundChanges(b).empty() )
 			f.PutLine( "99999=-nosongbg-=1.000=0=0=0 // don't automatically add -songbackground-" );
 		f.PutLine( ";" );
 	}
 
-	if( out.m_ForegroundChanges.size() )
+	if( out.GetForegroundChanges().size() )
 	{
 		f.Write( "#FGCHANGES:" );
-		FOREACH_CONST( BackgroundChange, out.m_ForegroundChanges, bgc )
+		FOREACH_CONST( BackgroundChange, out.GetForegroundChanges(), bgc )
 		{
 			f.PutLine( BackgroundChangeToString(*bgc) );
 		}
diff --git a/stepmania/src/ScreenCredits.cpp b/stepmania/src/ScreenCredits.cpp
index b3ee37ed2f..52b68964ea 100644
--- a/stepmania/src/ScreenCredits.cpp
+++ b/stepmania/src/ScreenCredits.cpp
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@
 #include "BitmapText.h"
 #include "ActorUtil.h"
 #include "SongUtil.h"
+#include "RageUtil.h"
 
 
 #define BACKGROUNDS_SPACING_X				THEME->GetMetricF("ScreenCredits","BackgroundsSpacingX")
diff --git a/stepmania/src/ScreenEdit.cpp b/stepmania/src/ScreenEdit.cpp
index f285f2edb4..2e9764247a 100644
--- a/stepmania/src/ScreenEdit.cpp
+++ b/stepmania/src/ScreenEdit.cpp
@@ -2083,9 +2083,9 @@ void ScreenEdit::HandleMainMenuChoice( MainMenuChoice c, const vector<int> &iAns
 				bool bAlreadyBGChangeHere = false;
 				int iLayer = 0;
 				BackgroundChange bgChange; 
-				for( int l=0; l<NUM_BACKGROUND_LAYERS; l++ )
+				FOREACH_BackgroundLayer( l )
 				{
-					FOREACH( BackgroundChange, m_pSong->m_BackgroundChanges[l], bgc )
+					FOREACH( BackgroundChange, m_pSong->GetBackgroundChanges(l), bgc )
 					{
 						if( bgc->m_fStartBeat == GAMESTATE->m_fSongBeat )
 						{
@@ -2114,24 +2114,24 @@ void ScreenEdit::HandleMainMenuChoice( MainMenuChoice c, const vector<int> &iAns
 
 
 				// set default choices
-				g_BackgroundChange.rows[layer].						SetDefaultChoiceIfPresent( ssprintf("%d",iLayer) );
-				g_BackgroundChange.rows[rate].						SetDefaultChoiceIfPresent( ssprintf("%2.0f%%",bgChange.m_fRate*100) );
-				g_BackgroundChange.rows[transition].				SetDefaultChoiceIfPresent( bgChange.m_sTransition );
-				g_BackgroundChange.rows[effect].					SetDefaultChoiceIfPresent( bgChange.m_sEffect );
+				g_BackgroundChange.rows[layer].							SetDefaultChoiceIfPresent( ssprintf("%d",iLayer) );
+				g_BackgroundChange.rows[rate].							SetDefaultChoiceIfPresent( ssprintf("%2.0f%%",bgChange.m_fRate*100) );
+				g_BackgroundChange.rows[transition].					SetDefaultChoiceIfPresent( bgChange.m_sTransition );
+				g_BackgroundChange.rows[effect].						SetDefaultChoiceIfPresent( bgChange.m_def.m_sEffect );
 				g_BackgroundChange.rows[file1_type].iDefaultChoice	= none;
-				if( bgChange.m_sFile1 == RANDOM_BACKGROUND_FILE )															g_BackgroundChange.rows[file1_type].iDefaultChoice	= pick_random;
-				if( g_BackgroundChange.rows[file1_song_bganimation].	SetDefaultChoiceIfPresent( bgChange.m_sFile1 ) )	g_BackgroundChange.rows[file1_type].iDefaultChoice	= song_bganimation;
-				if( g_BackgroundChange.rows[file1_song_movie].			SetDefaultChoiceIfPresent( bgChange.m_sFile1 ) )	g_BackgroundChange.rows[file1_type].iDefaultChoice	= song_movie;
-				if( g_BackgroundChange.rows[file1_song_still].			SetDefaultChoiceIfPresent( bgChange.m_sFile1 ) )	g_BackgroundChange.rows[file1_type].iDefaultChoice	= song_bitmap;
-				if( g_BackgroundChange.rows[file1_global_bganimation].	SetDefaultChoiceIfPresent( bgChange.m_sFile1 ) )	g_BackgroundChange.rows[file1_type].iDefaultChoice	= global_bganimation;
-				if( g_BackgroundChange.rows[file1_global_random_movie].	SetDefaultChoiceIfPresent( bgChange.m_sFile1 ) )	g_BackgroundChange.rows[file1_type].iDefaultChoice	= global_movie;
+				if( bgChange.m_def.m_sFile1 == RANDOM_BACKGROUND_FILE )																g_BackgroundChange.rows[file1_type].iDefaultChoice	= pick_random;
+				if( g_BackgroundChange.rows[file1_song_bganimation].	SetDefaultChoiceIfPresent( bgChange.m_def.m_sFile1 ) )	g_BackgroundChange.rows[file1_type].iDefaultChoice	= song_bganimation;
+				if( g_BackgroundChange.rows[file1_song_movie].			SetDefaultChoiceIfPresent( bgChange.m_def.m_sFile1 ) )	g_BackgroundChange.rows[file1_type].iDefaultChoice	= song_movie;
+				if( g_BackgroundChange.rows[file1_song_still].			SetDefaultChoiceIfPresent( bgChange.m_def.m_sFile1 ) )	g_BackgroundChange.rows[file1_type].iDefaultChoice	= song_bitmap;
+				if( g_BackgroundChange.rows[file1_global_bganimation].	SetDefaultChoiceIfPresent( bgChange.m_def.m_sFile1 ) )	g_BackgroundChange.rows[file1_type].iDefaultChoice	= global_bganimation;
+				if( g_BackgroundChange.rows[file1_global_random_movie].	SetDefaultChoiceIfPresent( bgChange.m_def.m_sFile1 ) )	g_BackgroundChange.rows[file1_type].iDefaultChoice	= global_movie;
 				g_BackgroundChange.rows[file2_type].iDefaultChoice	= none;
-				if( bgChange.m_sFile2 == RANDOM_BACKGROUND_FILE )															g_BackgroundChange.rows[file2_type].iDefaultChoice	= pick_random;
-				if( g_BackgroundChange.rows[file2_song_bganimation].	SetDefaultChoiceIfPresent( bgChange.m_sFile2 ) )	g_BackgroundChange.rows[file2_type].iDefaultChoice	= song_bganimation;
-				if( g_BackgroundChange.rows[file2_song_movie].			SetDefaultChoiceIfPresent( bgChange.m_sFile2 ) )	g_BackgroundChange.rows[file2_type].iDefaultChoice	= song_movie;
-				if( g_BackgroundChange.rows[file2_song_still].			SetDefaultChoiceIfPresent( bgChange.m_sFile2 ) )	g_BackgroundChange.rows[file2_type].iDefaultChoice	= song_bitmap;
-				if( g_BackgroundChange.rows[file2_global_bganimation].	SetDefaultChoiceIfPresent( bgChange.m_sFile2 ) )	g_BackgroundChange.rows[file2_type].iDefaultChoice	= global_bganimation;
-				if( g_BackgroundChange.rows[file2_global_random_movie].	SetDefaultChoiceIfPresent( bgChange.m_sFile2 ) )	g_BackgroundChange.rows[file2_type].iDefaultChoice	= global_movie;
+				if( bgChange.m_def.m_sFile2 == RANDOM_BACKGROUND_FILE )																g_BackgroundChange.rows[file2_type].iDefaultChoice	= pick_random;
+				if( g_BackgroundChange.rows[file2_song_bganimation].	SetDefaultChoiceIfPresent( bgChange.m_def.m_sFile2 ) )	g_BackgroundChange.rows[file2_type].iDefaultChoice	= song_bganimation;
+				if( g_BackgroundChange.rows[file2_song_movie].			SetDefaultChoiceIfPresent( bgChange.m_def.m_sFile2 ) )	g_BackgroundChange.rows[file2_type].iDefaultChoice	= song_movie;
+				if( g_BackgroundChange.rows[file2_song_still].			SetDefaultChoiceIfPresent( bgChange.m_def.m_sFile2 ) )	g_BackgroundChange.rows[file2_type].iDefaultChoice	= song_bitmap;
+				if( g_BackgroundChange.rows[file2_global_bganimation].	SetDefaultChoiceIfPresent( bgChange.m_def.m_sFile2 ) )	g_BackgroundChange.rows[file2_type].iDefaultChoice	= global_bganimation;
+				if( g_BackgroundChange.rows[file2_global_random_movie].	SetDefaultChoiceIfPresent( bgChange.m_def.m_sFile2 ) )	g_BackgroundChange.rows[file2_type].iDefaultChoice	= global_movie;
 
 
 				SCREENMAN->MiniMenu( &g_BackgroundChange, SM_BackFromBGChange );
@@ -2643,16 +2643,16 @@ void ScreenEdit::HandleSongInformationChoice( SongInformationChoice c, const vec
 
 void ScreenEdit::HandleBGChangeChoice( BGChangeChoice c, const vector<int> &iAnswers )
 {
-	int iLayer = atoi( g_BackgroundChange.rows[layer].choices[iAnswers[layer]] );
+	BackgroundLayer iLayer = (BackgroundLayer)atoi( g_BackgroundChange.rows[layer].choices[iAnswers[layer]] );
 	BackgroundChange newChange;
 
-	FOREACH( BackgroundChange, m_pSong->m_BackgroundChanges[iLayer], iter )
+	FOREACH( BackgroundChange, m_pSong->GetBackgroundChanges(iLayer), iter )
 	{
 		if( iter->m_fStartBeat == GAMESTATE->m_fSongBeat )
 		{
 			newChange = *iter;
 			// delete the old change.  We'll add a new one below.
-			m_pSong->m_BackgroundChanges[iLayer].erase( iter );
+			m_pSong->GetBackgroundChanges(iLayer).erase( iter );
 			break;
 		}
 	}
@@ -2663,12 +2663,12 @@ void ScreenEdit::HandleBGChangeChoice( BGChangeChoice c, const vector<int> &iAns
 	newChange.m_fStartBeat = GAMESTATE->m_fSongBeat;
 	newChange.m_fRate = strtof( g_BackgroundChange.rows[rate].choices[iAnswers[rate]], NULL )/100.f;
 	newChange.m_sTransition = g_BackgroundChange.rows[transition].choices[iAnswers[transition]];
-	newChange.m_sEffect = g_BackgroundChange.rows[effect].choices[iAnswers[effect]];
+	newChange.m_def.m_sEffect = g_BackgroundChange.rows[effect].choices[iAnswers[effect]];
 	switch( iAnswers[file1_type] )
 	{
 	default:	ASSERT(0);
-	case none:		newChange.m_sFile1 = "";						break;
-	case pick_random:	newChange.m_sFile1 = RANDOM_BACKGROUND_FILE;	break;
+	case none:			newChange.m_def.m_sFile1 = "";						break;
+	case pick_random:	newChange.m_def.m_sFile1 = RANDOM_BACKGROUND_FILE;	break;
 	case song_bganimation:
 	case song_movie:
 	case song_bitmap:
@@ -2676,15 +2676,15 @@ void ScreenEdit::HandleBGChangeChoice( BGChangeChoice c, const vector<int> &iAns
 	case global_movie:
 		{
 			BGChangeChoice row1 = (BGChangeChoice)(file1_song_bganimation + iAnswers[file1_type]-2);
-			newChange.m_sFile1 = g_BackgroundChange.rows[row1].choices[iAnswers[row1]];
+			newChange.m_def.m_sFile1 = g_BackgroundChange.rows[row1].choices[iAnswers[row1]];
 		}
 		break;
 	}
 	switch( iAnswers[file2_type] )
 	{
 	default:	ASSERT(0);
-	case none:		newChange.m_sFile2 = "";						break;
-	case pick_random:	newChange.m_sFile2 = RANDOM_BACKGROUND_FILE;	break;
+	case none:			newChange.m_def.m_sFile2 = "";						break;
+	case pick_random:	newChange.m_def.m_sFile2 = RANDOM_BACKGROUND_FILE;	break;
 	case song_bganimation:
 	case song_movie:
 	case song_bitmap:
@@ -2692,7 +2692,7 @@ void ScreenEdit::HandleBGChangeChoice( BGChangeChoice c, const vector<int> &iAns
 	case global_movie:
 		{
 			BGChangeChoice row2 = (BGChangeChoice)(file2_song_bganimation + iAnswers[file2_type]-2);
-			newChange.m_sFile2 = g_BackgroundChange.rows[row2].choices[iAnswers[row2]];
+			newChange.m_def.m_sFile2 = g_BackgroundChange.rows[row2].choices[iAnswers[row2]];
 		}
 		break;
 	}
diff --git a/stepmania/src/Song.cpp b/stepmania/src/Song.cpp
index d5bf172445..b24e20e67e 100644
--- a/stepmania/src/Song.cpp
+++ b/stepmania/src/Song.cpp
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@
 #include "ProfileManager.h"
 #include "Foreach.h"
 #include "UnlockManager.h"
+#include "BackgroundUtil.h"
 
 #include "NotesLoaderSM.h"
 #include "NotesLoaderDWI.h"
@@ -49,6 +50,11 @@ const float DEFAULT_MUSIC_SAMPLE_LENGTH = 12.f;
 //////////////////////////////
 Song::Song()
 {
+	FOREACH_BackgroundLayer( i )
+		m_BackgroundChanges[i] = new vector<BackgroundChange>;
+	m_ForegroundChanges = new vector<BackgroundChange>;
+	
+
 	m_LoadedFromProfile = PROFILE_SLOT_INVALID;
 	m_fMusicSampleStartSeconds = -1;
 	m_fMusicSampleLengthSeconds = DEFAULT_MUSIC_SAMPLE_LENGTH;
@@ -66,6 +72,10 @@ Song::Song()
 
 Song::~Song()
 {
+	FOREACH_BackgroundLayer( i )
+		SAFE_DELETE( m_BackgroundChanges[i] );
+	SAFE_DELETE( m_ForegroundChanges );
+
 	FOREACH( Steps*, m_vpSteps, s )
 		SAFE_DELETE( *s );
 	m_vpSteps.clear();
@@ -98,17 +108,17 @@ void Song::Reset()
 }
 
 
-void Song::AddBackgroundChange( int iLayer, BackgroundChange seg )
+void Song::AddBackgroundChange( BackgroundLayer iLayer, BackgroundChange seg )
 {
-	ASSERT( iLayer >= 0 && iLayer < NUM_BACKGROUND_LAYERS );
-	m_BackgroundChanges[iLayer].push_back( seg );
-	BackgroundUtil::SortBackgroundChangesArray( m_BackgroundChanges[iLayer] );
+	ASSERT( iLayer >= 0 && iLayer < NUM_BackgroundLayer );
+	GetBackgroundChanges(iLayer).push_back( seg );
+	BackgroundUtil::SortBackgroundChangesArray( GetBackgroundChanges(iLayer) );
 }
 
 void Song::AddForegroundChange( BackgroundChange seg )
 {
-	m_ForegroundChanges.push_back( seg );
-	BackgroundUtil::SortBackgroundChangesArray( m_ForegroundChanges );
+	GetForegroundChanges().push_back( seg );
+	BackgroundUtil::SortBackgroundChangesArray( GetForegroundChanges() );
 }
 
 void Song::AddLyricSegment( LyricSegment seg )
@@ -132,13 +142,12 @@ void Song::GetDisplayBpms( DisplayBpms &AddTo ) const
 	}
 }
 
-const BackgroundChange &Song::GetBackgroundAtBeat( int iLayer, float fBeat ) const
+const BackgroundChange &Song::GetBackgroundAtBeat( BackgroundLayer iLayer, float fBeat ) const
 {
-	unsigned i;
-	for( i=0; i<m_BackgroundChanges[iLayer].size()-1; i++ )
-		if( m_BackgroundChanges[iLayer][i+1].m_fStartBeat > fBeat )
-			break;
-	return m_BackgroundChanges[iLayer][i];
+	for( unsigned i=0; i<GetBackgroundChanges(iLayer).size()-1; i++ )
+		if( GetBackgroundChanges(iLayer)[i+1].m_fStartBeat > fBeat )
+			return GetBackgroundChanges(iLayer)[i];
+	return GetBackgroundChanges(iLayer)[0];
 }
 
 
@@ -709,7 +718,7 @@ void Song::TidyUpData()
 		/* Use this->GetBeatFromElapsedTime(0) instead of 0 to start when the
 		 * music starts. */
 		if( arrayPossibleMovies.size() == 1 )
-			this->AddBackgroundChange( 0, BackgroundChange(0,arrayPossibleMovies[0],"",1.f,SBE_StretchNoLoop) );
+			this->AddBackgroundChange( BACKGROUND_LAYER_1, BackgroundChange(0,arrayPossibleMovies[0],"",1.f,SBE_StretchNoLoop) );
 	}
 
 
@@ -1200,14 +1209,33 @@ bool Song::HasBackground() const 	{return m_sBackgroundFile != ""		&&  IsAFile(G
 bool Song::HasCDTitle() const 		{return m_sCDTitleFile != ""		&&  IsAFile(GetCDTitlePath()); }
 bool Song::HasBGChanges() const
 {
-	for( int i=0; i<NUM_BACKGROUND_LAYERS; i++ )
+	FOREACH_BackgroundLayer( i )
 	{
-		if( !m_BackgroundChanges[i].empty() )
+		if( !GetBackgroundChanges(i).empty() )
 			return true;
 	}
 	return false;
 }
 
+const vector<BackgroundChange> &Song::GetBackgroundChanges( BackgroundLayer bl ) const
+{
+	return *(m_BackgroundChanges[bl]);
+}
+vector<BackgroundChange> &Song::GetBackgroundChanges( BackgroundLayer bl )
+{
+	return *(m_BackgroundChanges[bl]);
+}
+
+const vector<BackgroundChange> &Song::GetForegroundChanges() const
+{
+	return *m_ForegroundChanges;
+}
+vector<BackgroundChange> &Song::GetForegroundChanges()
+{
+	return *m_ForegroundChanges;
+}
+
+
 CString GetSongAssetPath( CString sPath, const CString &sSongPath )
 {
 	if( sPath == "" )
diff --git a/stepmania/src/SongManager.cpp b/stepmania/src/SongManager.cpp
index 52ad700c3d..3942a41cae 100644
--- a/stepmania/src/SongManager.cpp
+++ b/stepmania/src/SongManager.cpp
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@
 #include "Foreach.h"
 #include "StatsManager.h"
 #include "Style.h"
+#include "BackgroundUtil.h"
 
 SongManager*	SONGMAN = NULL;	// global and accessable from anywhere in our program
 
@@ -232,7 +233,7 @@ void SongManager::LoadStepManiaSongDir( CString sDir, LoadingWindow *ld )
 	}
 }
 
-// Why Symlink instead of allowing membership in multiple groups via song tags?
+// Instead of "symlinks", songs should have membership in multiple groups.
 // -Chris
 void SongManager::LoadGroupSymLinks(CString sDir, CString sGroupFolder)
 {
@@ -257,8 +258,8 @@ void SongManager::LoadGroupSymLinks(CString sDir, CString sGroupFolder)
 			while( vpSteps.size() )
 				pNewSong->RemoveSteps( vpSteps[0] );
 
-			for( int i=0; i<NUM_BACKGROUND_LAYERS; i++ )
-				pNewSong->m_BackgroundChanges[i].clear();
+			FOREACH_BackgroundLayer( i )
+				pNewSong->GetBackgroundChanges(i).clear();
 
 			pNewSong->m_bIsSymLink = true;	// Very important so we don't double-parse later
 			pNewSong->m_sGroupName = sGroupFolder;
diff --git a/stepmania/src/song.h b/stepmania/src/song.h
index 8bf5b3aad9..66937bca76 100644
--- a/stepmania/src/song.h
+++ b/stepmania/src/song.h
@@ -3,11 +3,9 @@
 #ifndef SONG_H
 #define SONG_H
 
-#include "PlayerNumber.h"
-#include "BackgroundUtil.h"
-#include "Grade.h"
 #include "TimingData.h"
 #include "Difficulty.h"
+#include "EnumHelper.h"
 
 class Steps;
 class Style;
@@ -16,13 +14,20 @@ class LyricsLoader;
 class Profile;
 class StepsID;
 struct lua_State;
+struct BackgroundChange;
 
 const int MAX_EDITS_PER_SONG_PER_PROFILE	= 5;
 const int MAX_EDITS_PER_SONG				= 5*NUM_PROFILE_SLOTS;
 
 extern const int FILE_CACHE_VERSION;
 
-const int NUM_BACKGROUND_LAYERS = 2;
+enum BackgroundLayer
+{
+	BACKGROUND_LAYER_1,
+	BACKGROUND_LAYER_2,
+	NUM_BackgroundLayer 
+};
+#define FOREACH_BackgroundLayer( bl ) FOREACH_ENUM( BackgroundLayer, NUM_BackgroundLayer, bl )
 
 struct LyricSegment
 {
@@ -141,18 +146,26 @@ public:
 	bool Matches(CString sGroup, CString sSong) const;
 
 	TimingData					m_Timing;
-	vector<BackgroundChange>	m_BackgroundChanges[NUM_BACKGROUND_LAYERS];	// these must be sorted before gameplay
-	vector<BackgroundChange>	m_ForegroundChanges;	// this must be sorted before gameplay
+
+private:
+	vector<BackgroundChange>	*m_BackgroundChanges[NUM_BackgroundLayer];	// these must be sorted before gameplay
+	vector<BackgroundChange>	*m_ForegroundChanges;	// this must be sorted before gameplay
+public:
+	const vector<BackgroundChange>	&GetBackgroundChanges( BackgroundLayer bl ) const;
+	vector<BackgroundChange>		&GetBackgroundChanges( BackgroundLayer bl );
+	const vector<BackgroundChange>	&GetForegroundChanges() const;
+	vector<BackgroundChange>		&GetForegroundChanges();
+
 	vector<LyricSegment>		m_LyricSegments;		// this must be sorted before gameplay
 
 	void AddBPMSegment( const BPMSegment &seg ) { m_Timing.AddBPMSegment( seg ); }
 	void AddStopSegment( const StopSegment &seg ) { m_Timing.AddStopSegment( seg ); }
-	void AddBackgroundChange( int iLayer, BackgroundChange seg );
+	void AddBackgroundChange( BackgroundLayer blLayer, BackgroundChange seg );
 	void AddForegroundChange( BackgroundChange seg );
 	void AddLyricSegment( LyricSegment seg );
 
 	void GetDisplayBpms( DisplayBpms &AddTo ) const;
-	const BackgroundChange &GetBackgroundAtBeat( int iLayer, float fBeat ) const;
+	const BackgroundChange &GetBackgroundAtBeat( BackgroundLayer iLayer, float fBeat ) const;
 
 	float GetBPMAtBeat( float fBeat ) const { return m_Timing.GetBPMAtBeat( fBeat ); }
 	void SetBPMAtBeat( float fBeat, float fBPM ) { m_Timing.SetBPMAtBeat( fBeat, fBPM ); }