7 Introduction 7For an example of this type of astronomical influence,
consider Bob Dylan. Part American folksinger, part poet,
part rock star, and part living icon, Dylan wields lyrics
as a soldier wields his sword (or Shakespeare his pen).
Throughout his career, Dylan has used the stage to deliver
a full range of commentary on the issues of the day. Witty,
biting, damning, and always interesting, every word he
sings is laced with meaning, and every sentence he speaks
comes layered like an onion waiting to be peeled. He
sings of love, politics, war, exploration, and exploitation.
And if an issue of import is being ignored when it should
be front and center, or has been forgotten, Dylan sings
about it. With his lyrics, he pulls the world together,
even as he rips apart the status quo. Without a doubt,
Dylan will continue to be a legend as long as people listen
to music.
As for the music experience and its delivery, today is
quite different than just a few short years ago. Records
and tapes are all but gone, and CDs are on their way out.
In the 21st century, we have ear buds and iPods, we down-
load MP3s, and we listen to music online at Web sites such
as Pandora, Jango, and YouTube. Music can enter our lives
in previously unimagined ways: a new generation is being
introduced to musicians and their work via various gam-
ing platforms and programs, from a handheld gaming
device such as Game Boy to the simulated guitar-playing
experience of Rock Band. Music today is digital. It is fast, at
our fingertips, and often it is free. The current profile will
undoubtedly change in the future—it always does.
But then again, you can also be sure that much will be
the same. We will always listen to music, through whatever
device we choose. Music will always be a part of our lives,
ringing through our ears even when it is silent and nothing
but a memory. People will always sing as they shower, turn
it up as they drive, and “tune out” as they try to ignore