The current state of the music world is disappointing, but progressive. It's extremely interesting how it has transformed and continues to do so. The shift to digital music has ushered in a new era that affects all aspects of the business. There are different opinions on whether the business has improved or decreased, but the only thing that is true is the fact that it is changing and that the future of music will be formed before our eyes. It's pretty clear that there are advantages and disadvantages when it comes to the current industry, but is it the same as it once was? The frequently used statement "back in the day" commonly refers to an earlier time when things were different. Grandparents often use it to explain life in the 40s and 50s. In the music industry, however, the phrase “back in the day” refers to a time before iTunes. It refers to a time before digital music. He could be referring to the days in the '90s when people would line up outside TowerRecords waiting for that new album or single to be released. Of course the music industry has changed throughout the evolution of LPs, 8-tracks, cassettes and CDs, but none of these changes have come close to the shift to digital music. Some say iTunes is saving the music world. Others say they are ruining it. If iTunes were the only means of obtaining music, the industry would be much less complicated. Unfortunately there are those annoying websites that have been popping up for years like Limewire or Kazaa, which provide free/illegal downloads for basically any song or video the guest wants. You notice what kind of revenue artists have lost due to these bootleg sites, as millions of people are stealing their music. It's...half of paper...or it can silence them. As I understand it, if you believe that the industry will change and change for better or for worse, it will always be a driving force of the economy even during times of economic recession. Companies like Apple and Live Nation will definitely remain at the top for the foreseeable future, but anything can happen. Unfortunately, it seems that CDs are becoming more and more obsolete as new methods of obtaining music emerge. Hopefully the industry will continue to thrive as major labels start to make less and less sense when it comes to real music. It's truly amazing how the industry grows and changes in the space of a year. It clearly has its benefits as well as its negative attributes, just like any other business. The music industry is a living, breathing thing, and this will continue to remain true.