Try to think of the subjunctive as a feeling/mood/sentiment instead. A tense is an action whereas the subjunctive is a feeling... it is also used to express doubt/uncertainty whereas other tenses are facts.
eg.
(Present)
Pedro le gusta la musica
Pedro likes the music (FACT)
(Subjunctive)
I hope that Pedro like the music
Espero que a Pedro le guste la musica (FEELING)