From the beginning of recorded history music in some form or other has told the story of life and its beauty, wonder, struggles, and causes. From the love between a man and a woman to the oppression of people, music and song have been supplying the soundtrack to life. Music has a tendency to question authority and the status quo that occasionally is misdirected, misinformed and in some cases just plain wrong. In modern times, because of the advances in telecommunications, music took on an even more important place in the world. In other words, the volume could be cranked up globally. The music of the 1960's and the 1970's reflected the generation. The music gave evidence of what the world was doing wrong. This was expressed and manifested through the protest songs the artists, and their lifestyles. The music reflected the generation by, being heard rather than just listened to, and lyrics contained social commentary that was profoundly relevant. The 1960's was home to the Sexual Revolution, Woodstock, the Civil Rights Movement, the British Invasion and the Summer of Love. A large percentage of the music that came out of the 60's and 70's was about the words not the. Music reflected the needs and wants of the loud and proud under 30 generation. It criticized what the status quo. Music was played loud enough that it involves the listener whole heartedly. 60's and 70's rock and roll refused to be background music. .
Shakespeare wrote; " If music be the food of love, play on; Give me excess of it, that, surfeiting, the appetite may sicken, and so die." (T N. 1.1.1-3) Music of the 60's and 70's was definitely also the food of love. Musicians were sickened by love songs, but the appetite did not die. "Wait a minute, this sounds like rock and/or roll" was a common thought among Clergy and just about anybody over 30 in the 60's and 70's. It was also fondly referred to as, the devil's music. There was a popular belief that, if a person played certain records backwards one would hear messages from the Devil.