Tidal has weathered its fair share of criticism since Jay Z bought and relaunched the streaming service earlier this year. Of course, some of that criticism — i.e what was with that ominous press conference? — is valid, while much of it — namely arguments of the 'rich get richer' variety — is not. Fellow music protector Jack White has been consistently vocal regarding his disgust with the current state of streaming music, throwing much of his weight behind Tidal in the form of exclusive streams and a decidedly candid Q & A this past Wednesday.
White appeared to take things a step further, though with more invention, on Friday night — posting the poem "music is sacred" to the Third Man Records site. The poem, composed by White, uses its brevity to seemingly readdress the debate surrounding Tidal and music streaming services, in general. However, White's representatives swiftly released a statement denouncing this interpretation, calling the poem "a standalone piece."
Read "music is sacred" below and reject / support that theory as you see fit:
those of you who stand for the sanctity of music
so that its soul can breathe
and be heard
so that it blooms in graveyards
echoes in hotel hallways
awakens neighbors in the night
and fills peoples minds with fire
shout it out loud with whatever microphone you have
or these stones will shout for you.
jump in front of demons,
and stand over cowards and those who would intend
to rip out your lungs and dampen your desire
tell the living and the dead
what you know in your heart to be true
and what you know your ears
will forever hear
that the melody of the human race
is a song that never ends.
music is sacred.
jack white
III
