Making the right choice when downloading music
Now that MP3s are outselling physical CDs and records, the download charts are probably the best indication of how popular a particular track is. Both the UK and the US have been including downloads in their official charts for a number of years now and even the most traditional of artists know that in order to make an impact, a digital release is pretty much essential.
As well as national and radio charts, most digital music sites will also post their own charts of popular music downloads so that users can see what most people have been listening to and buying. Generally speaking there will be one chart for the most popular music downloads overall and then several sub genre charts for more specific types of music.
If you’re looking for popular music downloads to add to your collection, there are literally thousands of sites to go to – some better than others! Your best bet is to head to the more established music sites where you can be sure that you’re getting value for money and top quality MP3s. Cheaper illegal sites are not the place to go to get your music. Although they may well host hundreds of popular music downloads, the quality of the MP3s is generally poor and the only person who sees a penny of what you pay is the site owner, not the artist.
In recent times music industry bodies have stepped up their attempts to stop illegal downloading and in the US The Recording Industry Association of America files 700 – 750 lawsuits a month against individuals who have acquired their popular music downloads from illegal file sharing or hosting sites. Although it will be very difficult to eradicate these sites completely, the industry hopes that pressure like this will make more people think twice about where they get their music of choice from and force downloaders to respect copyright laws. At the end of the day, artists can only continue to produce the music we love if it is financially viable for them to do so.
