The Times They Are Still Changin'

The 60’s were a period of radical change for the world. John F. Kennedy was shot, The Vietnam War started, the man got to the moon and Martin Luther King preached about “his dream”.  This was exactly what inspired Bob Dylan when he wrote the song that would represent a whole generation of people who were ready for a change. The name of that song was “The Times They Are a-Changin'”  

It’s hard to believe that when Dylan first released this song in 1964, everyone said that it would be outdated right away. This was mainly because critics though that the fight for freedom and civil rights would be over really soon. But is this song outdated? Were the critics right about this?

From my point of view, this song is more relevant than ever. The last ten years have been really important to show that people is tired of how this society is working. Because, even if Afro American people have found respect in the last several years, there are still a lot of minorities fighting to be treated like normal people and to have equal rights. For example, the Mexicans working in the States or the Peruvian people working in our country are really segregated; they are treated like criminals even if their only sin was to search for a better life in another country. This also applies to all the sexual minorities who are treated like second class citizens who have no right to live their lives the way they want to. Even if the song does not make explicit reference to these problems, it still talks about injustice in general and how we, as citizens, have the obligation to fight for what is right because this is our only chance to make a difference.

 Come writers and critics

Who prophesize with your pen

And keep your eyes wide

The chance won't come again

We can also relate this song to one of the topics that have invaded our lives the last seven years, the student movement. In 2006, students decided to step up against the system because it is putting in jeopardy the future of our country with a terrible educational system. Many times this movement has been misinterpreted and many people are still unable to understand what this is all about, and this is clearly reflected in the lyrics of the song.

Come mothers and fathers

Throughout the land

And don't criticize

What you can't understand

Your sons and your daughters

Are beyond your command

This song might have been written almost 50 years ago, but it has aged brilliantly. Everything it talks about and everything it represents is still relevant for us today. I hope that just like the song states, politicians can hear how people is screaming for a better system and that they have to stop blocking our way.

Come senators, congressmen

Please heed the call

Don't stand in the doorway

Don't block up the hall

For he that gets hurt

Will be he who has stalled

There's a battle outside

And it is ragin'.

It'll soon shake your windows

And rattle your walls

For the times they are a-changin'.

So, what do you think about this song? Is it still relevant? I would love to know your opinion, so please leave a comment!