Mon, 02nd Nov 2009 | Hi_ImJenny | 609 Views, 1 Nod.

Music Downloads (2013)

However much money or 'education' the Government will pledge, I believe that four years down the line we will be no way nearer to solving the great problem - how people get their music. It's something that won't go away for a very long time, music will always be adored, and consumed by people - not just a money maker it can change peoples lives. If it wasn't for some of the music I've heard and been introduced to I wonder what I'd be like, but enough about me.

Spotify and Limewire. Two I admit I have used. Limewire I downloaded once to find out what everyone raved about and to be honest, after getting some pretty sick results and some duff music, I deleted it. Why? Why do that as a teen who's always strapped for cash? It's simple. I'd rather pay Apple a couple of quid here and there for the privilege of listening to some good music. Perhaps it's true that not enough goes to the artists themselves but still, I like to do it with legality, the honest way. Spotify is a bit of a grey area in my opinion. The ability to listen to a full-length song compared to itunes meagre 30 seconds is appealing but also the fact one can create a playlist does contradict the idea of downloading music - why do that if you can happily listen to it on the computer for free for as long as you like?

I'd do anything to get rid of Limewire if I can be completely honest. It's just a bit of a piss take. Artists put money, time, and effort into making music only for someone to go 'Yeah, good song but I'm not going to pay for it, I'll go on Limewire.' Now, I know people will say 'Ah well, it's expensive' - yes it is but that's the only option. Nowadays people don't seem to go CD shopping like they used to. I admit, I'll buy the CD's for certain artists and albums - every Pink Floyd album from Animals to Dark Side of the Moon is on CD, I like it that. Ups the history, the excellence. Yet it seems downloads have almost as many pro's and cons. Whilst it is a hell of a lot easier to enjoy music and have it at your fingertips pretty darn fast it's also turning people away who aren't reverting to record shopping but instead going on the 'black market' so to speak, and downloading illegally.

Artists have spoken out about this, Coldplay, Lily Allen and Billy Bragg to name but a few. Yet four years down the line it'll be the same situation. Whatever people say, whether they're a popular artist; the Prime Minister, the Sultan of Brunei (for all we know!) it won't make a difference. And that's unfortunate. Soon, music'll be something that won't be enjoyed anymore, it'll cause too many problems that people will give up on it - and that can't happen. It's a part of everyone's life regardless of whether they're a fan of just one genre or are a junkie.

What needs to happen is a happy medium and I use that term loosely because I know full well it'll be hard to achieve. Music companies and artists need to make it clear to downloaders how offensive and damaging illegal downloading can be for their careers yet also understand the reasons people do it. I know something can be achieved, but it will take a lot of listening and talking - it won't be easy but will be undoubtedly worth it.