Summer Music: Song 13

Song 13: The Times They Are A'Changin'

Written: 1964

Subject Matter: Globalization and the new, fast pace of the world. The song urges mothers and fathers to get out of the way of their children if they have nothing to offer, because the world was beginning to change rapidly at this point, as communications and transport first began to make the entire world accessible.

Storytelling: Dylan sounds very much like he's participating in the song. He sounds like he's simply stating a fact throughout, especially when he calls older people to get out of the way, because it's time for their children to change the world. In fact, the song is still immensely relevant today. In a world that can change in the blink of an eye, it's simply a part of life to assume that the next generation will outdo their predecessor's achievements.

My Thoughts: I'm almost sure that this song was in our document reader for AP World. It was at the end, ushering in the era of the modern world, and that's a fitting place for it.

What can we learn?: Thanks to newspapers, television, and radio, by this time, people are more acutely aware of the situation in the world, and they draw this conclusion: it is a'changin'. The move toward a more global availability of products and information begins, as does the market, which becomes more consumer based. This song tells us that even everyday people were aware of this shift in attitudes.