One of the most influential songs that I can recall is “All Along the Watchtower.” Have you ever really listened to it? This was originally written by Bob Dylan, covered by innumerable artists. Each putting their own spin on the ball as it approaches the plate, and in almost

every case it’s a grand slam. Think of how it begins. It’s in the A minor key, dark and driving. Like a hard rain at your back. The song literally starts off with the musical equivalent of “It was a dark and stormy night…” And there it is, the chords drilling you down into

the spot you’re standing. Try to keep your stride as the intro unfolds. The rhythm arrests you in place – you’re about to hear something important, you can’t miss this. Like an approaching freight train, the locomotive barreling down nearly out of control. You can look away

just the same as you can look away at a car accident you know is about to happen. Out of nowhere you get a taste of the scene, it’s heavy to match the beating wall of sound. “There must be some kind of way out of here, said the Joker to the Thief…” So now we have a

conversation. Two associates, clearly involved in the daily grind coalesce out of the mist. There’s a Joker and a Thief. Who among us has trouble immediately relating to at least one of them? The Joker, obviously troubled. Insanity creeping inwards. The world aflame.