With streaming services like Apple Music and Spotify dominating the music landscape, buying individual songs to download may seem like a thing of the past. However, while purchasing music has declined in popularity, it is still possible to buy singles on Apple Music in 2022.
The Decline of Purchasing Single Songs
In the early 2000s, services like iTunes Popularized the concept of buying individual MP3 song files to download to your computer and digital devices. At the height of the iTunes store’s popularity in the late 2000s, customers were purchasing over 3 billion songs per year from the iTunes store catalog.
However, with the rise of music streaming subscriptions like Spotify and Apple Music over the last decade, downloading has taken a backseat to streaming. Music industry revenues from downloads declined from their peak of $2.8 billion in 2012 down to just $1.1 billion in 2020. Meanwhile, revenues from streaming grew rapidly, hitting $13.4 billion in 2020.
There are several reasons for this shift:
- Streaming offers access to vast music catalogs on demand, reducing the need to purchase songs.
- It provides a simpler, more convenient user experience vs. downloading files.
- Streaming services have largely displaced piracy by offering an affordable alternative.
- Younger generations are more accustomed to access-based streaming models rather than ownership.
As a result, purchasing single song downloads is no longer the default for most mainstream music fans like it was in the 2000s.
Can I Still Buy Individual Songs on Apple Music?
Despite the prominence of streaming, Apple does still give users the ability to purchase songs to download and own within the Apple Music app.
When you search for a song in the Apple Music catalog, you’ll notice two icons next to each track – a download icon for Apple Music subscribers, and a price tag icon to purchase the song. If you click the price tag, you’ll be able to buy and download the song to own it permanently, even if you cancel your Apple Music subscription.
Purchased songs are 256 Kbps AAC files that do not contain any DRM copy protection. This gives you the flexibility to download the files and use them how you see fit, including copying them to non-Apple devices. Any songs you purchase will always be accessible in your Apple Music library.
Steps to Buy Individual Songs on Apple Music:
- Open the Apple Music app on your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or PC.
- Search for the song you want to buy.
- Tap the Price tag icon next to the song.
- Select the Buy Song button.
- Confirm the purchase with your Apple ID password or Touch ID/Face ID.
- The song file will download and be added to your library.
Purchased Song Prices
Song prices on Apple Music typically range from $0.69 to $1.29 in the US, with most new releases priced at $1.29 apiece. There are occasional discounts and sales that may offer songs for $0.99 or $0.69.
Unlike streaming which offers access to millions of songs for a flat monthly rate, buying individual songs allows you to cherry pick just the songs you want to own. For casual music fans this can be a more cost-effective approach.
Typical individual song prices on Apple Music include:
| Song Type | Typical Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| New releases | $1.29 |
| Recent hits | $1.29 |
| Catalog/back catalog | $0.69 to $0.99 |
Apple occasionally runs $0.99 song sales around holidays and music events. Students with an Apple Music Student Plan receive a discount on songs.
Pros of Buying Individual Songs
Although less popular than streaming, there are some benefits to purchasing individual song downloads from Apple Music:
- Ownership – Purchased songs are yours to keep forever, even if you unsubscribe from Apple Music. You also get unrestricted access to the song files.
- Flexibility – Downloads can be copied to non-Apple devices, allowing playback anywhere.
- Cost – Buying select singles is cheaper than a streaming subscription if you don’t need full catalog access.
- Collecting – Music fans who value ownership may still prefer buying their favorite songs.
- Reliability – Downloads eliminate reliance on an internet connection for playback.
For these reasons, downloading music still appeals to certain users, especially those who value ownership and access. Casual listeners may also prefer buying individual hits over paying for a full streaming service.
Cons of Buying Individual Songs
On the other hand, purchasing downloads has some drawbacks compared to streaming:
- Catalog size – Streaming services offer access to a library of over 70 million tracks, while buying à la carte limits you to only purchased songs.
- Price – It can get expensive buying enough individual songs to match the depth of a streaming catalog.
- Playlists – Owned songs may not always integrate well into curated playlists made by streaming services.
- Discovery – Streaming makes discovering new music seamless, while purchasing focuses only on individual songs you already know.
Users who want extensive music catalogs, personalized playlists, and radio features are better served by streaming. But downloading still has merits for fans who value ownership and selectivity.
Additional Apple Music Download Features
In addition to buying songs individually, Apple Music still gives users some other options for downloading music:
Album Purchases
Rather than buying songs one at a time, you can opt to purchase entire albums to download. Album prices are typically $7-12 for most titles.
iTunes Match
iTunes Match is a $24.99/year subscription that lets you upload your own music library and stream or download it on any device. This gives access to songs not in the Apple Music catalog.
Dolby Atmos
Subscribers can download songs mixed in Dolby Atmos spatial audio, which creates an immersive listening experience.
Lossless Audio
Apple Music offers lossless CD-quality music downloads up to 24-bit/48kHz for audiophiles (streaming is capped at 256 kbps AAC).
Offline Playback
Subscribers can make any song, playlist, or album available for offline listening without purchasing it. This temporarily downloads songs for playback without connectivity.
Conclusion
While music streaming has become the new normal, Apple Music still gives music fans the ability to purchase downloads in addition to subscription streaming access. Buying and owning individual songs or albums allows for permanence, portability, and selectivity compared to streaming.
Downloading previously purchased content also helps guarantee availability if certain songs eventually leave the Apple Music streaming catalog. So Apple still caters to fans who value permanent ownership of music in addition to subscription convenience.
However, most mainstream listeners will likely find a streaming subscription better suits their needs for unlimited on-demand music across devices. But nostalgic fans who miss the iTunes a la carte days can still buy certain hits to own forever.
Overall, purchasing downloads is now more of a supplementary option on Apple Music instead of the main attraction. But it adds some additional flexibility and ownership for those who want to own select songs forever irrespective of streaming catalog changes down the road.
So while streaming may dominate day-to-day listening, downloads remain a relevant niche for true music collection aficionados.