When I was young, music was something to be noted. Beats and rhymes and tunes. And then music became something to be performed. I joined in, I sang along. And then music became something to be heard. Transistor on, radio calling, listen in. And then music became something to be watched. Thursday evenings, BBC1, half past seven.
And then music became something to be enjoyed. That's good, I like that, who's singing? And then music became something to be admired. That's really good, I want to hear that again. And then music became something to be collected. That's brilliant. I must have every record they release. And then music became something to be purchased. Woolworths, Our Price, WH Smiths.
And then music became something to be spun. Lower the needle, hit the groove. And then music became something to be wound. Press play, rewind, fast forward. And then music became something to be pirated. Press record, try to chop off the DJ's voice. And then music became something to be mixtaped. My choice, my selection, my C90.
And then music became something to be lasered. 73 minutes of spinning silver disc, pause, play. And then music became something to be treasured. A physical library, defining my taste. And then music became something to be classified. Shelves of cases, arranged into alphabetical order. And then music became something to be carried. Walkman on belt, headphones in ear, off I go.
And then music became something to be digitised. Saved onto my PC, wav, mp3, tinny speakers. And then music became something to be shared. You steal from my library and I'll steal from yours. And then music became something to be consolidated. Every tune I've ever owned, absorbed into iTunes. And then music became something to be downloaded. Why go to a shop when the music can come to me?
And now music is something liberated. YouTube, MySpace, Spotify - everything's freely available. And now music is something timeless. Sample any back catalogue, sample any future hit. And now music is something transient. Love the song today, ignore it tomorrow. And now music is something for nothing. Whatever I want to listen to, whenever I want listen to it.
