That Lady Gaga song [iTunes link] you’ve heard 1,000 times at the mall now costs $1.29 on iTunes. Yes, Apple today flipped the switch on variable pricing, something the record labels had wanted for some time now.
To recap: there’s now three tiers of music prices on the iTunes Store: $0.69 (older songs) at the bottom end; $1.29 (current singles, pop music, etc.) at the top end; and $0.99 (pretty much everything else).
All songs on iTunes are now DRM-free, which, as you probably already know, means you can put the files on any device that can play AAC audio files. Most cellphones released in the past few years should be able to play them no problem.
There’s no real formula to figure out what songs are at what price. Coldplay, for example, which is as popular as any band out there, still has songs available [iTunes link] for $0.99.
Note that Amazon still has all of its songs available for that magical $0.99 price point.
You guys are pretty much the vanguard of online music consumption, legal or otherwise. Assuming you’re into the type of music that now costs $1.29, will the new pricing structure cause you to look for your music elsewhere? I only sporadically buy music from iTunes—I bought a Chris Lake song [iTunes link] last week after I couldn’t find it elsewhere—so I don’t really have a horse in this race, as it were.
I like the lower price tier, as I can’t stand much newer music, and the lack of DRM too will make me look at iTunes a little more now.
Beatport’s always been like this… $2.49 for new stuff, $1.99 for most things, and $1.49 for old stuff. I don’t think a price difference of 30 cents is that big of a deal, honestly, and it makes sense that it only applies to new music. Now, here’s the thing I do take issue with…. I highly doubt this is going to pass much more on to the artists, but on the other hand, the artists whose tracks are $1.29 are so deeply embedded into major labels that they probably aren’t hurting for cash (i.e. they are quite well known).
And, well, hey. It just gives people another reason to look for indie music, right? Or use Amazon, which frankly is amazing. I’ve used Amazon’s store much more than iTunes recently…
True on the Beatport point, but I can’t imagine too many “average Americans” are familiar with the DJs/producers/whatever on there.
If I hear a song I want and Amazon has it for $0.99 that is where I’ll get it. If not, then I guess I would buy from iTunes.
I think the $1.29 is a rip off.
Like you, I find using iTunes as an absolute last resort for purchasing. Though now that they have improved the sound quality and gone non-DRM, I will less reluctantly make purchases, but Amazon is still my go-to source, with LaLa about to pass iTunes in the #2 spot.
I have to agree. Lala.com is about to kick ass some more.
With most songs DRM free at 89 cents
Its beats itunes and amazon now
Amazon goes the opposite direction. $.79 for Top 40 new songs and and $.99 for everything else.
Damn, looks like Amazon has actually upped to $1.29 as well. There are at least 3 tracks on here that are $1.29 and they all seem to be todays hits (with the exception of Journey – but that’s humorous.)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/bestsellers/dmusic/digital-music-track/ref=thedabbler-20