This post by writer Erin Harris speaks for itself, so I won’t spend too much time here recapping it, because she already said it the way I think about it in my head.

Once you’re done parsing that, head over here to her post, and be prepared for an abundance of songs and equally melodious writing around that often-tricky concept: That it’s okay that musicians draw upon what’s come before them to push us forward a little more.

In fact, I’d look askance at a musician who didn’t acknowledge their influences. Because that’s what’s so wonderful about music. From the spheres to our ears, it keeps growing and evolving even as you can hear echoes of its forebears all down the line.

Great piece, Erin.

Yeah. This.