We come to a certain point in our lives when something so new becomes so essential that life without it becomes unfathomable. Consider the cell phone. A decade ago they were luxuries. Today they are a necessity. How about email. My Grandmother grew up during the depression when radios were a newfangled invention. Even she has a Gmail account.

Now, consider free mp3 downloads. Do you even remember the last time you went into a music store for anything? Let alone a single? Most people under the age of 25 haven’t been in a music store for years. And if they did go in, they’re initial intention wasn’t to buy music.

For most, the ease and convenience of mp3 downloads trumps the outdated retailers 10 to 1. Frankly, the amount of time, effort, and money spent on that CD you bought at the store just wasn’t worth it.

Clicking on a song and having it right away without leaving home is one of those simple luxuries of the Tech Age that changed everything we know (and loved) about music. For better or worse, music will never be the same.

Spilling the Beans

What are you looking for in your downloading service? If you’re like me, you want to own songs that are rarely heard. Something like the Decemberists live rendition of “Mrs. Robinson” or the Beatles “You Know My Name (look up the number).” These rare treats aren’t found on standard pay-by-song services.

The only songs available on pay-by-song services are licensed ones. Mp3 downloads of live versions of a songs that aren’t part of a commercially released album won’t be found. With file-sharing downloading services rarities picked up by your peers are available in large numbers any time you need it.

With Friends like These

Getting recommendations for songs is an essential element to the downloading experience. That’s what makes reputable sites for totally free mp3 downloads so remarkable. If you’re into Coldplay and love the song “Viva la Vida” one of your peers who shares your taste in music may have a download of Coldplay’s “Brothers and Sisters” to share with you.

This is by no means a new concept. But the communal approach has always made music the best expression of the human condition. Bob Dylan and Joan Biaz played in coffeehouses and taverns in Greenwich Village to the same audiences night after night and became favorites of music lovers. That feeling should be readily present in the downloading community you choose.

The very best music speaks to you as a person while speaking to the group as a whole. Art is one of the only things humans have ever created that is both singular as well as plural. Having people on the musical journey with you makes the thrill and joy of finding a gem of a song all the more enjoyable. Because what’s the point of beauty if it can’t be shared?

Finding your Soul-Mate

Finding the perfect downloading site shouldn’t be a fly-by-night decision. Go do some research. Google complaints about the service. If you see a lot of them, ask yourself:

• Are the complaints genuine or do the complainers simply not understand the concept of free mp3 music downloads? Do they know what they’re doing?

• Is the complaint legitimate, or is it just bellyaching?

• Are the comments and complaints applicable to you? (Can you successfully uninstall software? If not you may get frustrated with some of the services)
When you think about how far Western society has come in the last ten years, we can see things that were so unique and cutting edge on Sunday becomes an outdated has been on Monday. With technology constantly evolving, it’s important to stay ahead of the game. Totally free mp3 downloads are great, but where you get them makes all the difference in the world.