I was a young teenager, visiting the park with parents and siblings, when that ride broke down. We were stuck in that dammed thing for over an hour. The boats stood still but the song and mechanical characters were working just fine.
I loath hearing that song now. Not good memories.
I do believe the purpose of that ride IS to break down, holding the riders captive. The objective is to use the music to make Manchurian Candidates for mass shootings.