To Stream or not to Stream

To stream or not to stream? Now there is a question not even the bard could have dreamt up. Users love it, but artists have divided opinions. Whether we like it or not, it seems that streaming music is here to stay. I have resisted up to now. But it feels like time for me to take the plunge.

Streaming services are great for music lovers, and is now an essential on-line presence for new artists. Some services are better than others, but to have nearly every piece of music at your finger tips feels like a very nice thing. Music is now available on tap, which can be both good and bad in my opinion.

Streaming music on tap

Having all music available 24/7 is great, but it takes the mystery away from discovering new music. Don’t get me wrong it is great to be able to access all artists all of the time. But it is almost too easy. I can remember the days when we waited to hear the latest tunes on radio and then we would need to visit a record store to buy it. Discovering music via streaming is definitely less arduous. But it does not feel like the achievement it once was. Nor is it a physical item. When I buy a CD or record, it is mine to have and to hold and cherish for as long as I like. And believe me I have a lot of them. Hitting the play button on my phone is just another online action.

What would happen if all the streaming sites suddenly decided that music was no longer a viable option, and these services stopped? Today this seems like a very far-fetched scenario. But this…