Music Information

Why Do Music Lovers Still Prefer to Buy Records?


In the late 1940's, the 45-RPM record replaced the 78-RPM record. The 45 was smaller, less breakable and could be made and sold more cheaply. Despite these advantages, it took ten years before the 78 became obsolete, and in the meantime, record companies sold their product in both formats. In 1982, the major record companies introduced the compact disc, which offered a smaller size, "perfect" sound, and less likelihood of damage in day to day use. As the compact disc offered a much larger profit margin than did the long-play record album (LP) the record companies were eager to rid store shelves of records once and for all. Given that the 78 lasted ten years after the introduction of the 45, it seemed likely that the LP would be gone from the market by 1990. The expected disappearance of the LP never happened. Despite the efforts of the music industry, music fans and collectors not only continue to buy records today, but sales of records and record-playing equipment are on the rise.

Each year in January, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is held in Las Vegas. At this event, audio and video manufacturers show off the latest and greatest in their product lines. An unusual sight this year was not the large number of cutting-edge compact disc players, but the largest number of record turntables that had been seen at the event in years! Sales of both new and used records are hot, and equipment manufacturers are eager to reintroduce the turntables they quit making years ago. Why are record sales increasing when compact discs are supposed to provide perfect sound in an unbreakable format? There are several reasons:

  • Price. Price is always a factor when consumers buy anything and the prices of new and used record albums are less than the prices of new and used compact discs, respectively. Used CDs may sell for $5-8; used record albums sell for $3-5
  • Physical size. A lot of people prefer the larger size of record albums. They don't store as easily as compact discs, but the covers and lyrics are easier to read, and the product feels more substantial. Buyers feel like they're getting "more" for their money, even if it's just extra weight.
  • Sound. The digital sound of compact discs has a certain cleanness and purity to it, but many listeners find the sound of compact discs to be "artificial" or "metallic", lacking the "warmth" of the sound of a record. Arguments have been going on for years, and fans of compact discs claim that there really is no difference in sound, but millions of record fans would probably disagree.
  • Nostalgia. A lot of Baby Boomers grew up listening to records, and records have a fond familiarity to them that listeners like.
  • New record albums continue to be released every day. Aided by artists who are still recording who demand that their albums be released as both records and compact discs, such as Diana Krall, Pink Floyd, and Metallica, record album sales continue to thrive. Despite industry efforts to kill the format back in the 1980's, It appears that the record album will continue to live on, well into the twenty-first century, and music fans couldn't be happier about it.

    ©Copyright 2005 by Retro Marketing.

    Charles Essmeier is the owner of Retro Marketing, a firm that operates several retail Websites, including AluminumChristmasTrees.net, a site devoted to vintage aluminum Christmas trees and accessories, and RarePinkFloyd.com, a site devoted to rare records, compact discs and by the band Pink Floyd.


    MORE RESOURCES:

    Telegraph.co.uk

    World's Greatest Artists Help Launch (RED)WIRE, (RED)(TM)'s New ...
    MarketWatch - 15 hours ago
    Every Wednesday, (RED)WIRE members receive an issue delivered to their desktop featuring exclusive music from the world's greatest artists. ...
    (RED)WIRE Music Service Launches I4U
    Music Stars Help Fight AIDS in Africa With New Digital Magazine ... Ecorazzi
    Music service will help fight Aids The Press Association
    Independent - Brand Republic
    all 96 news articles


    New Music Download Site - PositiveMusicandDownloads.com ...
    MarketWatch - 5 hours ago
    "Too often the industry has dictated what type of music we should be listening too. Artists who have a more positive message can't always get past music ...


    Universal Music Enterprises Partners Up With Amazon.com to Offer ...
    MarketWatch - 7 hours ago
    Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) is coming to the rescue of financially-strapped or simply unimaginative gift-givers this holiday season. ...


    New York Daily News

    Britney Spears: 2008 Was a "Hell of a Year"
    Seattle Post Intelligencer - 1 hour ago
    Admitting that she "didn't know exactly where I stood with everyone," Spears says it was her big night at the Video Music Awards, where she picked up three ...
    Britney Spears, "Circus" (Jive) [2 STARS] Chicago Sun-Times
    Britney Spears: 'My Music Is Therapy' AceShowbiz
    Weekend Rewind Entertainment Weekly
    Hartford Courant - MTV.com
    all 222 news articles


    Download Shopper lets you compare prices on digital music
    Macworld, CA - 1 hour ago
    In it, I mused: What with the recent proliferation in DRM-free music stores, I’m in the market for a good search engine that’ll scan them all and tell me ...


    The Chronicle Journal

    Elvis Costello puts serious eye on music in Sundance Channel's ...
    New York Daily News, NY - Nov 30, 2008
    Music on TV goes only so far. You can see a short performance with no interview from the star (on late-night talk shows or “SNL”), hear a full concert that ...
    Elvis Costello's new TV show 'Spectacle' offers different look at ... The Canadian Press
    Music on TV This Week: Spectacle Film.com
    New On Sundance: Costello & Friends Hartford Courant
    New York Times - TheCelebrityCafe.com
    all 97 news articles


    Music group alleges copyright violations at RI pub
    Boston Herald, United States - 2 hours ago
    By AP PROVIDENCE, RI - A Providence tavern is facing a federal lawsuit for allegedly not paying for songs played at the pub. ...


    Concert Reviews - Online Music Reviews - New Release Album
    Billboard, NY - 24 minutes ago
    As first tipped here last month, Creed is hammering out details for a lucrative 2009 reunion tour, sources tell Billboard. The Scott Stapp-led group, ...


    PR Newswire High Technology Summary, Monday, Dec. 1, 2008
    MarketWatch - 48 minutes ago
    NY48979 12/01/2008 00:01 rf NY-(RED)WIRE-AIDS (NEW YORK) World's Greatest Artists Help Launch (RED)WIRE, (RED)(TM)'s New Music Service That Fights AIDS in ...


    BBC News

    Stevie Wonder, Jimi Hendrix, Queen music enters Grammy Hall Of Fame
    NME.com, UK - 2 hours ago
    Music including Jimi Hendrix's rendition of 'The Star Spangled Banner', Queen's 1977 single 'We are the Champions/We Will Rock You' and The Police's 1983 ...
    Hendrix's Banner, Queen's anthem head for Grammy Hall of Fame CBC.ca
    all 36 news articles

    Music - Google News

    home | site map
    © 2006